Happy New Year 2025

Reflections and Way Forward

As I sit down to write this final newsletter of 2024, I’m reminded of how life is a tapestry of joy and grief, celebration and loss, and sometimes, the most poignant moments lie at their intersection. October was meant to be a celebratory month for me—turning 50 on the 25th felt like a milestone worth reflecting on and sharing with all of you. I had planned to write about the excitement of entering a new decade of life, looking forward to the adventures that lay ahead. But life, in its unpredictable way, had other plans.

On 26th October, just a day after my birthday, my mother-in-law passed away after a long illness. The days that followed were filled with grief, family, and memories. The newsletter, which I had every intention of sending out that weekend, fell by the wayside. Life, as it often does, continued—but the words that usually came so easily to me just didn’t.

And so, here we are, at the end of 2024, picking up the thread of this newsletter. Reflecting on a year that brought both challenges and growth, I’m reminded of the importance of pausing, of cherishing moments, and of connecting with the people and experiences that truly matter. As I enter this new phase of life, I carry with me a renewed sense of purpose—to live meaningfully, to embrace change, and to always keep the conversation going, no matter how life unfolds. Thank you for being part of this journey.

Did I tell you that I Love You!
And how much did I miss writing this newsletter over last eight weeks!

Life doesn’t pause, even if newsletters do. While my pen (or keyboard) took a break, my work and personal life didn’t get the memo. Between juggling deadlines, brainstorming sessions, and moderating panel discussions, we’ve been busier than ever. Turns out, the newsletters missed me more than I missed them! Let’s dive back in, shall we?

First, the DigiScale, held on 29th November 2024, was a celebration of collaboration, innovation, and meaningful conversations. As part of the Centre of Excellence for Digital Transformation (CeDT) at IBS Hyderabad, this event focused on exploring Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and its transformative impact across sectors like commerce, health, education, and agriculture. However, beyond the insightful panel discussions and industry deep dives, DigiScale was also an opportunity to reconnect with old friends and foster new relationships within the DPI ecosystem.

In the weeks leading up to DigiScale, sending out personalized invitations to industry leaders, policymakers, and experts brought a sense of anticipation. It was exciting to reconnect with familiar faces from FES India, with whom I’ve shared many impactful collaborations in the past. Their continued work on inclusive development remains as inspiring as ever, and it was heartening to discuss how our collective efforts align with India’s growing DPI landscape.

The conference day itself was packed with meaningful engagements. It began with the inaugural session, which set the tone by emphasizing how DPI can address population-scale challenges. Panel discussions throughout the day provided insights into healthcare innovations, agricultural transformations, and commerce ecosystems, underscoring how DPI enables solutions that are inclusive and scalable. The lively interactions allowed me to make new connections with experts working at the forefront of DPI adoption, expanding my network with individuals who share a passion for sustainable and impactful digital transformation.

The education panel, in particular, stood out for its focus on harnessing DPI to bridge gaps in access to learning. Discussions around agriculture and health also aligned closely with my ongoing work at IBS Hyderabad and provided actionable takeaways to enrich classroom discussions and research.

DigiScale wasn’t just about learning—it was about celebrating the power of partnerships and the people who make meaningful transformation possible.

It reminded me of the importance of being part of ecosystems that are not only innovative but also inclusive.

Looking back, DigiScale was more than an event; it was a bridge between shared histories, present opportunities, and future possibilities. The conversations, connections, and insights gained reaffirmed my belief in the power of collaboration and technology to drive sustainable change. As I reflect on the day, I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of this journey and look forward to continuing these conversations in the future.

It was an honor to contribute as a Resource Person for the Faculty Development Program on November 21st, where I delivered a session on “Gig Economy and Worker Welfare in the Digital Era.” During the session, I explored the evolving role of gig workers, the transformative impact of digital platforms, and the multifaceted challenges they face.

Additionally, I had the privilege of organizing and moderating the "Women Leadership in Technology Business" panel at FEMINAXCEL Conclave 1.0 and "Vision to Venture" panel at MAÇON E-CELL. It was truly inspiring to celebrate women’s empowerment and entrepreneurial leadership through these meaningful platforms.

The Centre of Excellence for Digital Transformation (CeDT) at IBS Hyderabad has organized several thought-provoking events under the Digital Transformation Colloquium (DTC) series in December 2024, focusing on diverse sectors and the impact of technology-driven innovation.

On 6th December 2024, the Digital Transformation of Indian Cinema panel featured Mr. Kishore Kedari, Head of Content Production at Arka Mediaworks, and Mr. Naveen KL, Founder of Trice. The session explored how technology is redefining Indian cinema. Discussions spanned revolutionary production techniques, such as AI-driven storytelling, digital marketing tools, and audience analytics, showcasing how creativity and technology work hand-in-hand to enhance storytelling, improve distribution strategies, and engage modern audiences.

In fact, an interesting research paper "No Lights, No Camera, No Action: Indian movie industry practitioner perspectives on life after the pandemic," authored by Dr Rajeev Kamineni from the University of Adelaide and Professor Ruth Rentschler OAM from UniSA, examines the Indian film industry's post-pandemic resurgence. While the pandemic initially crippled the industry, it has since rebounded with a 21% growth in 2022, exceeding US$24 billion in revenue. This growth is attributed to increased digital streaming, reaching wider audiences globally, and the rise of regional cinema. However, challenges remain, such as the digital divide and the diminishing role of traditional producers due to direct artist-streamer collaborations. The paper emphasizes the need for independent producers to adapt and find new avenues for relevance in this evolving landscape

The next event, on 13th December 2024, focused on the Digital Transformation of Wealth Management. Mr. Subir Jha, Founder of BuckSpeak, and Mr. Chandra Sekhar C, Associate Regional Head at Nippon India Mutual Fund, shared insights into leveraging AI and automation for personalized financial solutions. They emphasized the importance of hybrid models, behavioral understanding, and digital tools like Robo-advisors to build trust and operational efficiency in wealth management. The panel highlighted how digitalization is not only improving processes like fund transfers but also empowering future leaders in fintech and finance.

An article titled “Money in motion: Enabling the evolving finance sector with wealthtech”, published by EY India on September 13, 2024, explores the evolving Indian wealth management sector. Driven by demographic shifts, wealth creation, and a preference for financial assets, the sector is experiencing significant growth. Wealthtech, encompassing robo-advisors, digital platforms, and B2B software, is playing a crucial role. Key trends include hyper-personalization, a competitive landscape, and evolving client demands. The article highlights the impact of digitalization, regulatory changes, and the rise of regional investors. It emphasizes the need for wealth managers to adapt to these trends by focusing on client needs, leveraging technology, and building strong client relationships to thrive in this dynamic environment.

On 20th December 2024, the focus shifted to the Digital Transformation of MSMEs. Mr. Lakshmi Narasimha Moorthy K, Co-founder and CEO of nicheBrains, and Mr. Vivek Pai, Vice President of MediaMint, shared actionable strategies for MSMEs to harness digital tools for efficiency and scalability. The panel addressed historical challenges, like resource constraints and market fragmentation, while advocating for affordable, incremental adoption of AI and automation. Real-world examples highlighted how digital platforms can build trust and foster innovation within the MSME ecosystem.

Amongst the growth of DT in Indian MSMEs, Amazon India has exceeded its 2020 Sambhav Summit pledges, digitizing 10 million MSMEs ahead of schedule. This has driven $13 billion in exports and created 1.4 million jobs. Amazon aims to increase cumulative e-commerce exports to $80 billion by 2030 through collaborations with the government and by leveraging initiatives like the Districts as Export Hubs. The company has also partnered with the Ministry of Labour to post job opportunities on the National Career Service portal.

The month concluded on 27th December 2024, with a panel discussion on Digital Transformation of Indian Agriculture, featuring Mr. Shashi Kumar, Founder and CEO of Akshayakalpa Organic, and Mr. Anantha Krishnan R.K., Principal Consultant, Emerging Technologies, Govt. of Telangana. The session began with a heartfelt homage to Dr. Manmohan Singh, whose legacy of economic reforms continues to inspire. Discussions explored systemic challenges in agriculture, ecological farming practices, and initiatives like Telangana’s Agriculture Data Exchange (ADEX), which leverages Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to provide farmers with accessible, tailored solutions. The event underscored the importance of collective action in creating sustainable, inclusive agricultural systems.

Prior to the panel discussion , the Akshayakalpa Organic Farm Visit on 22nd December was a unique experiential learning opportunity for students, offering insights into organic farming, rural entrepreneurship, and sustainability. Interactions with the leadership team, led by CEO Mr. Shashi Kumar, highlighted how technology and innovation are transforming traditional agricultural practices into viable business models, ensuring both environmental and economic benefits.

As we welcome the New Year 2025, let’s embrace it as a fresh opportunity for growth, collaboration, and meaningful learning experiences.

Wishing everyone a year filled with enriching events, inspiring discussions, and impactful initiatives that drive innovation and progress. Here’s to a productive and transformative year ahead!

I Love You

Shailendra

Looking Ahead

This year I signed up for Procam Slam 2024-25 cycle starting with Kolkata Tata Steel World 25K on 15th December 2024.
This series of four running events would culminate with Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon in October 2025 hopefully before I turn 50 years OLD.

It was great to catch up with folks at Kolkata before, during and after the TSW25K run. I am looking forward to see many of you at Tata Mumbai Marathon on 19th Jan 2025 and TCS World 10K Bengaluru on 27th April 2025.
See you soon.