15th Star Nite Awards-Setting New Benchmark in the ICT Industry

A sparkling award ceremony in the presence of a host of glitterati from the ICT industry, government dignitaries and other distinguished personalities comprising of System Integrators/Solution Partners, IT associations, CIOs, CMOs, distributors and VARs  is how the annual event of Star Nite Awards unfolded this year. VARINDIA played host to the 15th Star Nite Awards 2016 that has during these years become a litmus test for IT corporates for their marketing policies, strategies and initiatives and for deciding the top performers of the year for their contribution in the field of ICT. This years event was focussed on the theme "Digital & GST Impact on Business Ecosystem".

The evening commenced with the lamp lighting ceremony and was graced by the Chief Guest, Shri P. P. Chaudhary, Hoble Minister of State, Law & Justice, Electronics & Information Technology, Government of India. Other dignitaries who joined in the celebrations are Dr Bibek Debroy, Member, NITI Aayog, Government of India; Shri S. N. Tripathy, IAS, A.S. and Development Commissioner, MSME, Government of India; Shri Vipin Tyagi, Executive Director, C-Dot, Government of India; Shri Savitur Prasad, Addl. CGDA, Ministry of Defence, Government of India; Shri Amit Jain, President & CEO, Prysm; Shri Vishal Dhupar, Global Head (Business Development), NVIDIA Graphics; Shri Jaijit Bhattacharya, Partner, Infrastructure & Government Services, KPMG; Shri K. K. Shetty, Vice-President, Commscope India; Shri Krishnan Chatterjee, Head - Marketing, India Subcontinent, SAP INDIA; Shri Sudarshan R, Country Marketing Head, India, Dell India Pvt. Ltd; Shri A. L. Jagannath, Director - Marketing, VMware Software India Pvt. Ltd; Shri Sandip Aurora, Director - Marketing, Intel India Pvt. Ltd; Shri L. K. Pathak, Vice-President - Marketing & Corp. Communication, Sterlite Technologies; and Shri Deepak Kumar Sahu, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, VARINDIA.

[Guests present in the event : ( From Left to Right) : Mr.Sudarshan R, Country Marketing Head, INDIA-DELL India Pvt. Ltd., Mr. Alok  Gupta, President-PCAIT, Mr. Shrikant Sinha, CEO- NASSCOM Foundation, Mr.Jaijit Bhattacharya, Partner, Infrastructure  & Govt. Services-KPMG, Mr.Vishal Dhupar, M.D.(India & SAARC)-NVIDIA Graphics Pvt. Ltd.. , Ms. S Mohini Ratna, editor-VARINDIA, Mr. D.K.Sahu, Publisher cum Chief editor-VARINDIA, Hon’ble Minister Shri P.P. Chaudhary, Honble Minister of State, Law & Justice, E & IT, GOI , Dr. Bibek Debroy, Member, NITI Aayog , Mr. S.N.Tripathy, A.S. & D.C.- Department of MSME, Government of India , Mr.Vipin Tyagi, E.D.- C DOT, Govt. of India,  Shri. Amit Jain, President & CEO- Prysm Inc. , K K Shetty- V.P.- Commscope India , MR.L K Pathak, V.P.-Mktg. & Corp..Comm.-Sterlite Technologies Ltd. and Mr. Champak Raj Grjar, President-FAIITA] Shri Deepak Kumar Sahu, Publisher & Editor-in-Chief, VARINDIA, started his keynote address by complimenting the Indian talent and the impact that Indian entrepreneurs have had on Silicon Valley. Indias start-ups "will disrupt the world" for sure. Experts predict that India - comprising 15% of the worlds population and with a growth rate of 7% to 8%, could be the second-largest economy by 2030. The Government’s commitment for a digital economy as a major growth enabler is among the top priorities for the Central and State governments both and the opportunity seems very much promising.

The Tech Talk Session saw five eminent speakers from the industry talk about emerging technology and the way industry is shaping up amidst its adoption. The idea of this tech talk is that, in five minutes, a speaker needs to tell the audience on the present and future technologies that his respective company is endorsing. There were a multitude of topics capped, on which these leaders shared their ideas and concepts with the audience. The speakers who spoke during this session were  Shri Amit Jain, President & CEO, Prysm Inc.; Shri Vishal Dhupar, MD, South Asia, NVIDIA India; Shri K. K. Shetty, VP, Commscope India; Shri Jaijit Bhattacharya, Partner, Infrastructure & Government Services, KPMG; Shri Rohit Oberoi, Director Channel-India & Middle East, Seclore Technology Pvt Ltd; and Shri Vijayraj Rajit, Chairman, QBITKOLUD.

In keeping with the tradition of this flagship event, the gala awards ceremony which always is the most-awaited attraction of the evening took place amidst much celebrations and grandeur. The biggest names in the ICT industry have been named winners in 40 different categories that have been chosen on the basis of the feedback received from the VARs and channel partners from the metros, A-, B- and C-class cities through an extensive electronic voting system.

VARINDIA also took this opportunity to recognize 15 CMOs from the Indian ICT industry. As another attraction of the event, CMOs gave a 60 seconds pitch on their efforts, success and sharing their experience how they have transformed the business of their respective organizations and later these veterans came up on the stage and were felicitated with a token of appreciation.

There was also a Lucky Draw contest organized by Seclore, Epson, Seagate and Fitbit in between the event where lucky winners walked away with exciting prizes.