Tag: Digital Innovation

Finance

HDFC Bank Inaugurates Tech & Digital Factory in Guwahati to Boost AI and Cybersecurity Talent

Swara Bodke

Written by Intern Swara Bodke || Team Allycaral

India, 2026: HDFC Bank, India’s leading private sector bank, has inaugurated its new Tech & Digital Factory in Guwahati, marking its first such facility in Assam and the fourth nationwide. The bank already operates similar Tech & Digital Factories in Mumbai, Bengaluru and Gurugram.
The new centre will serve as a hub for advanced technology development, innovation and talent incubation in Assam. It aims to strengthen talent pools in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital technologies and Cybersecurity, while building capabilities in Cloud, Data and core engineering tracks. The initiative is also expected to enhance digital product creation capabilities in the state.
The facility was inaugurated by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in the presence of Mr. Kaizad Bharucha, Deputy Managing Director – HDFC Bank, Mr. Ramesh Lakshminarayan, Chief Information Officer – HDFC Bank, dignitaries from the Government of Assam, members from participating educational institutions, and officers of the bank.


The Tech & Digital Factory will generate career opportunities for skilled professionals in Assam, enabling them to contribute directly to next-generation technology development while remaining in their home state.
The initiative is part of Advantage Assam 2.0, under which HDFC Bank partnered with the Government of Assam. The collaboration focuses on enhancing academic knowledge with industry expertise through a structured skill-building curriculum tailored to the BFSI and fintech sectors.
Centred on campus-to-corporate competency, the programme aligns with job requirements in banking and fintech industries. The curriculum includes essential banking knowledge along with new-age IT domains.
The programme commenced in September 2025, and over 150 students are currently being trained under the cohort. Participants will receive industry-relevant knowledge and hands-on experience from senior HDFC Bank executives.
Students enrolled in the programme will also undergo internships with HDFC Bank for a duration of 2 to 4 months. This will allow them to apply academic and technological concepts in real-world corporate scenarios. Importantly, the course is offered at no additional cost to students.
Commenting on the development, Mr. Kaizad Bharucha, Deputy Managing Director, HDFC Bank, said that the Bank had signed an MoU with the Assam Government at Advantage Assam 2.0 in February 2025 and was pleased to establish the facility within a year, supported strongly by the state government. He added that the new centre would enable the rollout of innovative digital products and services while attracting engineering talent from Assam to contribute to next-generation banking technology.
HDFC Bank’s Tech & Digital Factory model continues to function as the nucleus of digital execution, with dedicated units focused on experience design, mobile and cloud engineering, APIs and orchestration, data and GenAI, and secure-by-design architecture.
HDFC Bank began its journey in Assam in 2004 with the launch of its first branch in Guwahati. Since then, the Bank has expanded to 138 branches and 248 ATMs across the state as of December 31, 2025. According to the State Level Banker’s Committee (SLBC) report, the Bank’s Credit-Deposit (CD) ratio in Assam stood at 85.78% as of the same date.

Events in Goa

LTIMindtree Partners with IFFI and NFDC to Launch India’s First AI Film Festival and Hackathon in Goa

Tanisha Cardozo

LTIMindtree, a global technology consulting and digital solutions company, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) and the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) to launch India’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) Film Festival and Hackathon. Scheduled to take place from November 20 to 28, 2025, during the 56th edition of IFFI in Goa, the initiative aims to redefine the intersection of art, storytelling, and technology.

Since its inception in 1952, IFFI has stood as India’s premier cinematic platform, bringing together filmmakers and creative professionals from across the globe. With this collaboration, LTIMindtree, NFDC, and IFFI are set to introduce a new era of digital creativity through the integration of AI-powered tools in the cinematic process. The partnership, supported by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, represents a significant step towards fostering innovation in India’s creative economy.

Under this initiative, LTIMindtree’s BlueVerse CraftStudio and NFDC will create a dedicated ecosystem for AI-driven filmmaking, encouraging creators and technologists to collaborate on innovative projects that push the boundaries of storytelling. The AI Film Festival will feature screenings of AI-generated works across fiction, documentary, animation, and experimental categories, offering audiences a glimpse into how technology is reshaping artistic expression.

Complementing the festival is a 48-hour hackathon designed to challenge participants to build AI-powered storytelling and production tools. Alongside the competition, workshops and masterclasses led by global experts will cover topics such as ethical storytelling, AI in film production, and the role of emerging technologies in shaping creative narratives.

Shekhar Kapur, Festival Director of IFFI and Jury Chair of the IFFI AI Film Festival, highlighted the transformative potential of this collaboration, saying, “Cinema has always reflected the power of human imagination. Today, AI gives us a new lens that expands our ability to dream, design, and express. The IFFI AI Film Festival will be a playground for that evolution.”

Dr. Sujay Sen, Executive Vice President and Global Head of Interactive Services at LTIMindtree, echoed the sentiment, noting, “At LTIMindtree, we believe the future of storytelling lies at the confluence of human creativity and AI. Through this collaboration, we are proud to create a platform that nurtures innovation and brings the magic of AI to India’s creative economy.”

Adding to this, Shri Prakash Magdum, Managing Director of NFDC, said, “As India’s leading platform for cinematic excellence, IFFI has always celebrated emerging voices and technologies. Partnering with LTIMindtree and Shekhar Kapur allows us to extend this creative legacy into the world of AI responsibly, inclusively, and with a vision for global collaboration.”

The festival will also feature participation from international AI film festivals, with opportunities for global cross-credit recognition for creators and innovators. By bringing together cinema and cutting-edge technology, the AI Film Festival and Hackathon aim to position India as a global leader in AI-driven cinematic innovation.

TechPulse

Viswanathan Anand Inaugurates Global Chess League’s Experience Centre in Plano, Dallas

Tanisha Cardozo

The Global Chess League (GCL) inaugurated its new Experience Centre in Plano, Dallas, with five-time World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand leading the launch. Designed to merge chess, technology, and innovation, the centre provides an interactive environment where players, fans, and innovators can explore AI-driven analysis, digital platforms, and cutting-edge tools to enhance the game.

Overlooking Plano’s skyline, the facility features spaces for tournaments, live game analysis, digital chess innovations, and community engagement. Anand emphasized the centre’s role in expanding the reach of chess, making it more engaging and interactive while inspiring the next generation of players through technology.

The centre will collaborate with universities, chess federations, and technology partners to advance AI applications in chess, develop digital coaching tools, boost fan engagement, and integrate esports. Peeyush Dubey, Chairperson of the GCL, described the centre as a “living ecosystem” for the global chess community, bringing together players, fans, clubs, universities, and partners to co-create the future of chess.

Since its opening, the Experience Centre has hosted events such as the Texas Women’s State Chess Championship, featuring competitors from 13 countries. It is expected to continue hosting tournaments, interactive programs, and chess-tech showcases for enthusiasts, students, and partners.

The launch demonstrates the growing integration of strategic sports with digital innovation, providing a unique hub where technology and chess converge to inspire players and fans alike, shaping the future of the game on a global scale.

EduConnect

Don Bosco College Panjim Hosts “Career in Drone Technology” Session for BCA Students

Closed Account

Written by Intern Queeny George M.H, Team Allycaral

Panaji, 8th September 2025:

The Department of Computer Applications at Don Bosco College Panjim conducted an informative session titled “Career in Drone Technology” for BCA students, organized in collaboration with Tech Savvy Hub, the Training Internship & Placement Committee, and JCI Panjim.

The session was designed to introduce students to the rapidly evolving world of drones and their applications across industries such as agriculture, logistics, disaster management, and more.

Guest speaker Mr. Sudesh Salgaonkar addressed the students, highlighting the growth of the IT sector during the COVID-19 pandemic and identifying emerging opportunities in software development, digital media, and drone technology. He elaborated on career options for students, including drone pilots, technicians, and data analysts, and explained the process of obtaining a Remote Pilot Certification from the DGCA, which is essential for professional drone operations in India.

The session concluded with a vote of thanks by course coordinator Assistant Professor Rohan R Kerkar, who appreciated the efforts of the guest speaker and collaborating partners for providing the students with valuable insights into this futuristic technology.

The session successfully provided students with knowledge and guidance to pursue careers in drone technology, empowering them to explore innovative and technologically advanced career paths in India and globally.