TechPulse

GITDC Launches Hands-On 3D Printing Training for Skill Development


Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

To promote hands-on learning and capacity building in emerging technologies, the Goa Information Technology Development Corporation (GITDC), in association with the Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications (DITE&C), has begun trial training sessions in 3D printing technology. The first session was held on November 21, 2025, at the Additive Manufacturing Hub in Altinho, marking an important step towards strengthening technical competencies within the government workforce.

The inaugural session was attended by Shri Kabir Shirgaonkar, Director of DITE&C, Dr Milind Sakhardande, Joint Director of DITE&C, and Shri Subrai Nadkarni, Chief Engineer, GITDC. The training was conducted by Shri Ryan Vaz of Infinyt3D Pvt. Ltd and saw the participation of around twelve GITDC officials. Participants were introduced to the fundamentals of 3D technology through hands-on training in 3D modelling and design, including the use of 3D pens and basic design tools. The session combined presentations with practical demonstrations to help participants understand both theoretical concepts and real-world applications.

Upon completion of the programme, all participants received an Elementary 3D Printing certificate, recognising their foundational training in the technology. Speaking on the initiative, Shri Kabir Shirgaonkar said the programme is a crucial step in preparing government officials for future technological demands. He noted that exposure to advanced tools like 3D printing can help departments explore innovative applications and improve public service delivery.

The skilling initiative is being implemented under the leadership of Shri Rohan Khaunte, Honโ€™ble Minister for Information Technology, Electronics and Communications. It is designed as a structured three-module training programme comprising beginner, intermediate and advanced levels, covering the full spectrum of 3D printing applications from basic design to advanced prototyping. As part of this effort, a dedicated 3D Printing Bureau is also being established to support design and printing requirements for various government departments.

The next phase of training sessions will be organised for government officials through the Department of ITE&C, subject to participant availability, as GITDC continues its focus on building technical capacity and fostering innovation within the public sector.

TechPulse

DITE&C and GIPARD Host Two-Day Cybersecurity Workshop to Strengthen Goaโ€™s Digital Safety Framework


Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications (DITE&C), in collaboration with the Goa Institute of Public Administration and Rural Development (GIPARD), organised a comprehensive two-day workshop on cybersecurity at GIPARD, Ella Farm, Old Goa. The initiative aimed to sensitise officials from various government departments about the rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape, data protection regulations and best practices in secure data management. The programme was inaugurated by Shri Kabir Shirgaonkar, Director, DITE&C, Dr. Milind Sakhardande, Joint Director, DITE&C, Dr. Seema Fernandes, Assistant Director, GIPARD and Shri Vidyanand Pawar, PI, Cyber Crime Police Station, Goa.

During the inaugural address, Shri Kabir Shirgaonkar highlighted the urgency of strengthening cybersecurity within government systems. He emphasised that with the growing dependence on digital platforms such as Aadhaar, UPI, DigiYatra and the use of emerging technologies like AI and blockchain, both opportunities and risks have increased significantly. He noted that cybersecurity is now a foundational necessity for every government department and stressed that even a single breach could compromise vital public assets and services. Dr. Seema Fernandes reinforced this message by pointing out that cybercrime poses unique challenges as evidence can disappear quickly, making timely action critical. She expressed hope that the workshop would inspire further initiatives to create a more cyber-aware government ecosystem.

The sessions were conducted by experts including Shri Vidyanand Pawar, PI, Cyber Crime Police Station, Goa, Smt Sejal Naik, Junior Project Manager, GEL, Smt Sangeeta Naik from Digital Goa, Shri Sahil Awasthi from Cyber Yoddha, Goa Police and Dr. Harold Dโ€™Costa, President of Cyber Security Corporation and Independent Director at SICOM Ltd. Over the two days, participants explored key topics such as the fundamentals of cybersecurity, cyberbullying, the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act 2023, digital arrest case studies, mobile-based frauds, golden rules for staying safe online, Indiaโ€™s cybercrime framework, CERT-In Directions and cyber crisis management strategies. The workshop also featured hands-on simulations and interactive case studies that helped officials understand vulnerabilities in their daily workflows.

Through programmes like this, the Government of Goa continues to strengthen its commitment to digital safety, equipping officials with the knowledge and tools needed to stay ahead of emerging cyber threats and building a more resilient, secure digital ecosystem for the State.

TechPulse

Goa Sets Course to Become Indiaโ€™s First Coastal Aerial Mobility State with MoU Signed Between DITE&C, Tourism Department, and Sarla Aviation


Goa has taken a visionary step toward redefining tourism, technology and next-generation mobility with the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C), the Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, and Sarla Aviation Pvt. Ltd.

The agreement, signed at Paryatan Bhavan, Patto, aims to establish an Advanced Design & Development Center in Goa while setting the foundation for integrating VTOL (Vertical Takeoff and Landing) systems into the Stateโ€™s future tourism and mobility ecosystem.

The ceremony took place in the presence of Honโ€™ble Minister for IT, Electronics & Communications and Tourism Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, alongside key officials including Shri Kabir Shirgaonkar (Director, DITE&C), Shri Kedar Naik (Director, DOT), Dr. Milind Sakhardande (Joint Director, DITE&C), Shri Shawn Mendes (OSD, Tourism), Shri Neville Noronha (OSD, IT), Shri D.S. Prashant (CEO, SITPC) and Mr. Adrian Schmidt (Co-Founder & CEO, Sarla Aviation).

Goaโ€™s Vision for Next-Gen Mobility

Minister Khaunte highlighted the transformative potential of the collaboration, stating that VTOL technology and aerospace design will unlock new opportunities for innovation, tourism enhancement and high-value employment for Goan youth.
He noted, โ€œOur focus is to ensure that every new technology introduced in Goa strengthens the Stateโ€™s economy and benefits our people first.โ€

Sarla Aviationโ€™s Long-Term Base in Goa

Sarla Aviation, backed by prominent investors including Accel, Nikhil Kamath, Binny Bansal and Sriharsha Majety, will establish a dedicated centre focusing on:

  • Advanced aerospace design
  • System engineering
  • Prototype development
  • Testing and R&D

The company is developing a six-seater electric VTOL aircraft designed to reduce congestion by introducing clean and efficient aerial mobility.

Roadmap for VTOL-Based Aerial Tourism and Transport

The MoU outlines a comprehensive action plan that includes:

  • Collaboration with hotel and hospitality partners for premium aerial tourism routes
  • Development of a Goa-specific UAM (Urban Air Mobility) Policy
  • Exploring airport-to-resort aerial connectivity
  • Identifying and supporting a local VTOL service operator

These initiatives aim to make Goa the first Coastal Aerial Mobility State in India, combining innovation with sustainable tourism.

Voices from the Collaboration

Shri Kabir Shirgaonkar (Director, DITE&C) emphasised that the partnership aligns with Goaโ€™s long-term technology vision, enabling the State to become a platform for designing and scaling next-generation mobility solutions.

Shri Kedar Naik (Director, Tourism) highlighted the potential for VTOL services to redefine connectivity across beaches, hinterland and resorts, promoting eco-conscious travel and elevating the tourist experience.

Sarla Aviationโ€™s CEO, Mr. Adrian Schmidt, expressed gratitude to the Government of Goa, noting the potential to bring Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) to Goans as early as 2029 and build a talent-rich satellite studio in the State.

A Unified Vision for Goaโ€™s Future

The collaboration strengthens Goaโ€™s commitment to innovation, advanced technology and future-ready tourism. It also opens pathways for high-value skilling, aerospace design careers and cutting-edge mobility solutions for residents and visitors alike.

TechPulse

DITE&C Accelerates Blockchain Innovation in Goa Through Industryโ€“Academia Collaboration


Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications (DITE&C), Government of Goa, has strengthened its commitment to advancing blockchain adoption in the State by initiating the formation of a dedicated blockchain community. This effort brings together industry leaders, academic institutions, incubators and technology experts to explore opportunities for tokenization and the broader potential of blockchain solutions. The initiative was supported by McLaren Strategic Solutions and Omnumi, a global blockchain platform known for secure, compliant and adaptable frameworks for tokenized deposits and regulated digital currencies.

The meetings, held at Paryatan Bhavan in Panjim, created a vibrant space for collaboration. Omnumi representatives, including CEO and Co-founder Kirk Chapman, CTO Sree Tirumalasetti, Chief Architect Robin Huiser, Head of Product Delivery Joe O’Rourke and Head of Service Delivery Natalie Nopareporn, engaged participants across three specialized sessions. Corporates were introduced to the fundamentals of tokenization and the capabilities of the Omnumi platform. Blockchain specialists took a deeper dive into the platformโ€™s technical features, with discussions on multisig architecture, card integration and deployable ERC20 contracts led by Chief Architect Robin Huiser. The final session focused on academia and incubators, exploring pathways for collaboration and skill development to prepare Goaโ€™s youth for future opportunities in digital innovation.

Shri Rohan Khaunte, Honโ€™ble Minister for Information Technology, Electronics and Communications, emphasized that Goaโ€™s youth possess immense potential and that blockchain is poised to be a transformative force for them. He highlighted the Stateโ€™s commitment to fostering emerging technologies and creating opportunities for young professionals.

McLaren Strategic Solutions has already established Goa as a global hub through the creation of its Development Centre last year. Now, following this momentum, Omnumi is planning to set up its own operations in Goa. Together, they aim to recruit over 200 professionals in the coming years, demonstrating confidence in Goaโ€™s tech talent and signaling further growth in the local innovation ecosystem. Representatives from McLaren noted that Goaโ€™s academic partners and students are highly motivated to work on real-world challenges, and the company plans to provide sandbox access to the Omnumi platform along with training and support to help bring new ideas to life.

DITE&Cโ€™s ongoing efforts to position Goa as a center for emerging technologies received strong reinforcement through these discussions. Plans for a two-day hackathon will further encourage experimentation, skill-building and the development of practical use cases. The McLaren team also proposed a Goa Tourism App powered by the Omnumi Wallet, signaling opportunities for blockchain-driven solutions across sectors. Overall, the initiative marks a significant milestone in Goaโ€™s journey toward becoming a thriving hub for digital innovation, collaboration and technological advancement.

TechPulse

DITE&C and ITG Transform Canaconaโ€™s Digital Landscape with 100+ WiFi Hotspots, 240 CCTV Cameras and Enhanced 5G Connectivity


Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

DITE&C, in partnership with Infotech Corporation of Goa Ltd (ITG), has taken a significant step toward enhancing Canaconaโ€™s digital infrastructure with the rollout of over 100 WiFi access points, more than 240 CCTV cameras and strengthened 5G mobile coverage at Shree Samsthan Gokarn Partagali Jeevottam Math.

The project, inaugurated on November 27, 2025, reflects the Goa Governmentโ€™s commitment to building a resilient digital ecosystem under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant. The launch ceremony was graced by His Holiness, Paramapoojya Shreemad Vidyadheesh Teerth Shreepad Vader Swamiji, along with Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications Shri Rohan Khaunte and senior dignitaries from DITE&C and ITG. Canacona already enjoyed 5G services from Jio and BSNL, and with the addition of Airtel (Indus Towers) around the Math premises, mobile connectivity has been further strengthened, enhancing access for residents, devotees and the growing number of visitors who arrive to witness the revered 77-foot bronze idol.

Swamiji expressed gratitude to the Goa Government for ensuring digital readiness ahead of the grand celebrations, highlighting the importance of extending digital infrastructure to rural communities. Minister Rohan Khaunte emphasized that the deployment reinforces the stateโ€™s long-term digital vision and will continue benefiting the area well beyond the celebrations. Of the 100+ WiFi hotspots installed, 57 are permanent and designed to deliver speeds up to 10Gbps with seamless login via SMS or WhatsApp.

Similarly, the installation of 240 CCTV cameras, including AI-enabled units capable of monitoring headcounts and identifying habitual offenders with police-provided data, ensures a robust security ecosystem. Eighty of these cameras are permanent fixtures, supporting continuous surveillance and crowd management throughout the year.

This initiative marks another milestone in DITE&Cโ€™s mission to expand reliable digital services across Goa, ensuring that even rural regions and high-footfall spiritual destinations benefit from modern connectivity and safety solutions.