Hitachi’s Social Innovation Forum 2021: A trusted partner to India’s digital transformation journey

Encompassing Urban Transportation, Information & Technology, Energy, Payments, 

e-Governance, e-Education, e-Health and Agriculture, as part of the Connected Citizen Ecosystem

Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE:6501; “Hitachi”) and Hitachi India Pvt. Ltd. successfully concluded the Hitachi Social Innovation Forum 2021 INDIA ONLINE today. The virtual forum brough together business leaders from varied business backgrounds and subject matter experts to discuss digital solutions and innovations that can pave the way towards a sustainable future. With a combination of 14business sessions and virtual exhibition showcasing, how technology could enhance operational efficiencies and create a sustainable society in the long term, for India.

The forum was graced by Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog,Chief Guest for the event.

The two-day virtual event witnessed an amalgamation of bureaucrats, government officials, heads representing Innovation and Technology fields, industry-best minds &leaders from key industries including Railways, IT, Payment, e-Governance, Healthcare, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Energy, and Infrastructure including city gas distribution. Backed with insightful keynotes, the industry leaders and subject matter experts shared their unparalleled industry knowledge and experience on digital transformation and delved upon enhancing the Environmental, Social and Economic values of citizens and society at large.

Commenting on the event, Mr. Bharat Kaushal, Managing Director, Hitachi India said, “Hitachi has been a trusted partner to the Indian government for more than eight decades. We have been offering our technological prowess to accelerate innovation. There has been an increased impetus placed on streamlining digital transformation by the Indian government. We at Hitachi, are actively partnering with the Government of India to hasten its digital journey, leveraging our vast experience in OT X IT to pioneer Social Innovation Business solutions that empower millions to lead a better quality of life, thus realize the vision of an AatmaNirbhar Bharat, a digitally empowered India.”

The forum transformed as a unique ‘Collaborative Creation’ platform for collective thinking and discussion that can lead the way to build andrealize a sustainable society under the new normal.

Eminentspeakers accentuated on intervention and upscale of digital technology, while also sharing insights, and ultimately explore pathways for the New Normal way of conducting business.

The intuitive platform revolved around some of the most vital topics in the realm of digital transformation. Hitachi strongly believe in weaving together a collaborative network of partners, business leaders, stakeholders and government leadership to strive for the common goal and support in enhancing India’s position to a global pedestal aligned with the government’s Make in India and Digital India initiatives.

Topics including Artificial Intelligence in post-COVID India, how cash and digital economy go hand in hand in a developing economy, Re-imagining mobility in the aftermath of Covid-19,shifting to electric vehicles (EVs),necessity of integrated renewable energy significance and potential of technology in key areas like manufacturing, e-education, healthcare, agriculture etc.were deliberated upon.

The virtual exhibition canvasoffered visitors a real-life experience. Features like Meet Our Team, Resource Centre etc. brought dynamism to the entire exhibition. The audience were able to interact actively by utilizing the chat and polls options, engaging with the thought leaders.

Hitachi, through its Social Innovation Business Solution, is actively partnering in reformative schemes proposed by the government to provide technological expertise in areas such as education, agriculture, and healthcare.Aligning itself and contributing to government’s vision, Hitachi is also supporting the ambitious program of the prime minister’s AtmanirbharSwasth Bharat Abhiyan and the National Health Digital Mission (NHDM) scheme under Ayushman Bharat, that pledges to offer a Healthier Environment, focusing on tele-medicine and offering health services by providing primary healthcare to all bridging the rural-urban connect.

Hitachi’s comprehensive urban mobility solutions are empowering citizens and are enhancing the environmental value of customers. Contributing to the expansion and modernisation plan of the Indian Railways, Hitachi is partnering in evolutionary high-capacity, high-speed infrastructure projects. It is also working on significant metro projects which includes Noida Metro (DMRC), Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation (KMRC), and Navi Mumbai Metrorail by the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), thereby creating new benchmarks for India’s urban transportation system.

Enabling greater financial inclusivity, Hitachi is disrupting the payments landscape of India. Aimed at customer convenience, and its commitment to building a robust and secure payment infrastructure for India, Hitachi with its comprehensive range of cash and digital payment solutions, is bridging the gap between urban and rural India, further expanding the payment ecosystem in the country.

Committed to the government’s vision of a knowledge-based economy, Hitachi is emerging as an ideal partner in offering e-Education to millions, utilizing its ICT solutions that ensures that children who enter the most crucial part of their learning do so with tenacity and the required support. This is tremendously supporting theGovernment of India’sNational Education Policy (NEP) covering the remotest areawithin the country.

Digital transformation is also appreciating the customer’s economic value as it is resulting in optimization of resources and higher network capability to serve more consumers, amounting to higher revenue at lower cost.

Hitachi’s seamless cross-platform solution capabilities are supporting the government in its quest for reviving the country’s infrastructure which is a major driver of economic growth. Realizing the importance of adopting low carbon footprint energy solutions for sustainable living, the Government has recognized the huge potential of natural gas as a low polluting urban utility. Being aligned to this vision, Hitachi fully leveraged its expertise to devise robust and comprehensive operations automation solution for one of India’s leading natural gas distribution companiesthrough its city gas distribution network.

Adoption of latest technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT) enabled water monitoring and control systems will go a long way in optimizing the available water supply.Hitachi, with its intelligent, IoT-driven Water Environment Solutions, is actively partnering with the Government and local bodies in meeting the nation’s ever-growing water requirement, equitably and sustainably.

Hitachi will continue to partner with the Government of India in digitally transforming the social infrastructure & enriching citizens’ lives through collaborations with stakeholders and partners.