New Delhi,  The 24th edition of the prestigious VARINDIA InfoTech Forum 2026 was inaugurated today in the national capital, marking a significant milestone in India's technology discourse. The event commenced with a stirring opening address by Dr. Deepak Kumar Sahu, Editor-in-Chief of VARINDIA, who set the stage for a day dedicated to innovation, strategic leadership, and collaborative problem-solving.

Held at a premier venue in New Delhi, the forum convened an influential congregation of industry stalwarts, policymakers, and technology visionaries. The atmosphere was charged with purpose as the formal proceedings began with a traditional Lamp Lighting Ceremony—a symbolic gesture to invoke wisdom and illuminate the path toward a digitally empowered future for India.

Dr. Sahu, a veteran media personality and the driving force behind one of the country's most respected ICT media platforms, underscored the critical need for synergy between governance and technology. He emphasized that the forum serves as a crucial conduit for transformative ideas that can propel India's digital ecosystem to global prominence.

Panel Discussion I: From Digital India to AI India – The Next Leap

In a landmark session that set the intellectual tone for the day, Panel Discussion I explored the nation's ambitious transition from the foundational "Digital India" initiative to the frontier of "AI India." Moderated by Dr. Deepak Kumar Sahu, the panel brought together an extraordinary assembly of technology thought leaders, including:

• Mr. Vijay Sethi, Chairman – MentorKart

• Mr. Golok Kumar Simli, President – Technology & Innovation, BLS International

• Mr. Sujoy Brahmachari, CIO & CISO – Rosmerta Technologies Limited

• Mr. Bharat B Anand, Global CITO – Contec Global Limited

• Lt. Col. (Dr.) Santosh Khadsare (Retd.), CEO – I Defence Innovations Pvt. Ltd.

• Dr. Prince Joseph, Global CIO – SFO Technologies

• Mr. V V Jacob, Chief General Manager – IT, Malayala Manorama Company Pvt. Ltd.

The distinguished panelists engaged in a deep-dive discussion on how artificial intelligence is poised to redefine governance, enterprise operations, and national competitiveness. They deliberated on the infrastructure, policy frameworks, and talent development required to ensure India not only participates in but leads the global AI revolution. The session underscored the need for responsible AI adoption, data sovereignty, and public-private partnerships to drive inclusive growth.

Geopolitics at the Forefront of Marketing Strategy

One of the most anticipated sessions of the day was Panel Discussion III: Geopolitics Reshaping Marketing Budgets, which addressed the pressing challenges facing the ICT industry in an era of global uncertainty.

The session, expertly moderated by Ms. S. Mohini Ratna, Editor at VARINDIA, brought together a formidable panel of marketing leaders from India's leading technology enterprises. The distinguished panelists included:

Mr. Ankesh Kumar, Chief Marketing Officer, Ingram Micro India Pvt. Ltd.

Mr. Rajesh Kumar, Fractional CMO

Mr. Ritesh Dhawan, Marketing Head, Redington Limited

Ms. Vinny Sharma, Sr. Marketing Director – APJ, Europe & EMEA, Securonix India Pvt. Ltd.

Mr. Pranab Mohanty, Chief Business Officer, Data Safeguard Inc.

Mr. Neeraj Ahuja, Sr. Regional Marketing Manager, Forcepoint

Dr. Mithilesh Singh, Marketing Head, CommScope India Pvt. Ltd.

The discussion yielded critical insights into how global supply chain disruptions, shifting trade alliances, and geopolitical tensions are compelling organizations to reassess their market positioning and budget priorities. The panel concluded that agility and localized intelligence are now non-negotiable components of modern marketing.

AI and The Future of Enterprise Technology

Beyond strategic business conversations, the forum also placed a strong emphasis on technological frontiers. Dr. Arindam Sarkar, Chief Architect at Faceoff Technologies, delivered a riveting expert session on artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and the future of enterprise technology. His presentation offered a compelling vision of how AI-driven architectures are poised to redefine operational efficiency and innovation across sectors.

A Platform for Collaboration and Growth

The 24th VARINDIA InfoTech Forum 2026 once again reinforced VARINDIA's enduring commitment to fostering meaningful dialogue within the ICT community. By bridging the gap between thought leadership and practical execution, the event provided a vital platform for addressing the opportunities and challenges defining India's digital future.

In a move to ensure wider accessibility, the proceedings were broadcast live on YouTube, drawing significant viewership and social media engagement. The hashtags #itforum2026, #varindia, and #digitalindia trended prominently throughout the day, reflecting the nationwide interest in the forum's outcomes.