The 17th edition of the Odisha Information Technology Fair (OITF) concluded on a high note, drawing a diverse cross-section of industry participants. Marking the seventeenth year, the IT event that takes place in Bhubaneswar annually is deeply acknowledged by the industry for setting the benchmark on holding cutting-edge discussions on technology trends and innovations.
Aligning with its tradition of fostering key partnerships and inspiring transformative ideas, this year’s event successfully blended the latest in tech developments with an engaging atmosphere while keeping the attendees informed and giving the opportunity for networking.
The theme of this years’ event was "Driving Growth with Innovation & Transparency” and was dedicated to the CIOs and VARS of the Indian ICT Industry. The event was supported by OCAC, ESC, FAIITA and ITAO who have extended their support to the event.
The event kick-started with the auspicious lamp lighting ceremony, and was graced by the presence of honourable guests like Prof. Arun Kumar Rath, Chairman, Centre of Corporate Governance & CSR IIM Nagpur; Prof. Debi Prasanna Pattanayak, Chancellor- Centurion University; Dr. Arindam Sarkar, Head of the Dept. of C.S. & E - Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira, Belur Math, Kolkata & Chief Architect - FaceOff Technologies Inc.; Achimuthu Pandiarajan, System Engineer – Commscope; Rabi Narayan Behera, Member of Parliament, Govt. Of India; Dr. Deepak Kumar Sahu, Publisher, VARINDIA and S Mohini Ratna, Editor – VARINDIA.
Dr. Deepak Kumar Sahu, Publisher, VARINDIA presented the welcome address in which underlined how Bhubaneswar has become a hotbed for emerging technologies and has the opportunity to become a global technology back office and a future R&D hub for multinational companies. “Odisha has witnessed strong growth in IT exports, with around 93 companies now exporting software and electronics, up from just 17 in 2023. The startup ecosystem is also gaining momentum. Of the nearly 3,000 startups registered in the state, about 5% are already on a profitable and growth-oriented trajectory, highlighting the maturing innovation landscape.”
The event then featured insightful presentations, starting with Prof. Arun Kumar Rath, Chairman, Centre of Corporate Governance & CSR IIM Nagpur, who shared his invaluable perspectives before the audience, drawn from his distinguished service and academic leadership.
Prof. Debi Prasanna Pattanayak, Chancellor- Centurion University presented his inspiring insights and thanked VARINDIA for recognizing and felicitating the iconic personalities of Odisha in the Jewels of Odisha coffee table book.
Dr. Arindam Sarkar, Head of the Dept. of C.S. & E - Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira, Belur Math, Kolkata & Chief Architect - FaceOff Technologies addressed the audience on the topic – ‘Privacy- First Quantum Safe AI for Trusted Digital Growth’, giving everyone a glimpse of how the FaceOff technology works.
Achimuthu Pandiarajan, System Engineer – Commscope gave his presentation and shared his valuable expertise on digital infrastructure and connectivity, which added strong technical depth and relevance to the event.
In his keynote address, Rabi Narayan Behera, Member of Parliament, Govt. of India presented his visionary insights, highlighting the government’s unwavering commitment to inclusive development and nation-building.
OITF 2026 witnessed the launch of the Fourth edition of Jewels of Odisha, a prestigious coffee-table book celebrating eminent personalities who have brought pride to the state and made significant contributions to shaping modern India. This year’s book featured leaders and innovators from various industries, and celebrated their significant contributions in their respective sectors, thus showcasing Odisha’s growing influence on India’s development.
The event also took the opportunity to felicitate a few of the personalities who were present during the event.
The event concluded with a prestigious awards ceremony honoring the winners of the 16th VARINDIA IT Cup 2026 held in Bhubaneswar. Beyond sports, the tournament celebrates teamwork, resilience, and community spirit, creating a collaborative platform that blends competition with camaraderie to build lasting relationships and unlock hidden potential.
This time 12 Corporates participated in the tournament - Innovare Cloud, Esquire, CSM Technologies, Startek, Curebay, Wipro, Nisum Technologies, E & IT Dept., Govt. of Odisha, Polosoft, Incture, TCS and ESSPL.
OITF 2026 announced the winners of the IT Cup. The Man of the Series trophy was awarded to Abhishek Sahu of Innovare Cloud. While the winner of the 16th VARINDIA IT Cup 2026 was TCS, Innovare Cloud was named the Runners up team of the tournament.
The 17th OITF proved to be a resounding success, both in the quality of its content and in celebrating the state’s contributions. Moving forward, VARINDIA remains committed to sustaining this legacy by providing a platform where industry professionals can stay abreast of emerging trends, exchange insights, and connect with peers.
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