Bharat Blockchain Yatra,a landmark initiative covering 18 states and engaging over 12,000 participants appropriate dubbed as India’s first-ever nationwide blockchain tech tour, culminated at AICTE headquarters in New Delhi on Oct 23. Information Data Systems Inc. (IDS) in collaboration with The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), the National Education Technology Forum (NETF), and Anuvadini AI, hosted the Bharat Blockchain Yatra Grand Finale 2024.
With an aim to develop cutting-edge Make in India blockchain solutions and lead India to the forefront of global blockchain and AI innovation, the grand finale celebrated India’s pioneering strides in blockchain technology, showcasing the nation’s commitment to becoming a global leader in the space.
Sudharshan Reddy, CEO of IDS Inc., expressed his happiness and pride in organizing the successful nationwide journey of the Bharat Blockchain Yatra. “Our mission was to take blockchain technology to every corner of the country and foster collaboration between industry, academia, and government. I am proud of the impact we have made, through 21 events and IDS remains committed to driving blockchain adoption and innovation in India,” he said.
As the Convenor of Bharat Blockchain Yatra, Mr. Aravind highlighted the Yatra’s achievements, stating, The Bharat Blockchain Yatra, initiated under the Bharat Blockchain Network (BBN) on June 6, 2022, began its journey on August 6, 2023. This pioneering tech tour, focused on Web3 and Blockchain, traversed 18 states, engaging a diverse array of stakeholders from government, industry, startups, and academia. The Yatra aimed to discuss opportunities and challenges within the Indian blockchain ecosystem and succeeded in positioning India as a global leader in blockchain innovation.
Chandrasekhar Buddha, Chief Coordinating Officer of AICTE, reinforced AICTE’s mission to create substantial job and internship opportunities, announcing a goal to provide 10 lakh opportunities by 2025. He also commended The Hashgraph Association’s target to equip 50,000 individuals with Certified Hedera Developer status, providing a skilled workforce for India’s emerging blockchain ecosystem.
National Educational Technology Forum (NETF) Chairman, Prof. Anil Sahasrabudhe, spoke about the revolutionary academic applications of blockchain technology. He highlighted how blockchain could enhance Verifiable Credentials and integrate the APAAR ID system, acknowledging the Bharat Blockchain Network, which currently operates with over 100 nodes maintained by academic institutions across India.
Prof T.G. Sitharam, Chairman of AICTE, encouraged IDS to bring blockchain technology into every AICTE – affiliated college. He emphasized the importance of integrating core engineering disciplines with emerging technologies to prepare students for future industry needs.
Stefan Deiss, Co-Founder of The Hashgraph Association (THA), introduced the Hedera Governing Council and spoke on Hedera’s commitment to sustainability. As part of enabling a digital future for India, He announced the establishment of a $100 million Ventures Fund aimed at supporting over 250 web3 projects in India, with a focus on creating a talent pool of 50,000 Certified Hedera Developers in collaboration with 50+ academic partnerships across India.
Shri Gaurav Singh from the Ministry of Education, highlighted the policy focus on embedding emerging technology education within higher education, aligning with the Ministry’s vision for India’s future-ready workforce.
A key moment in the event was the launch of the Bharat Blockchain Ecosystem Report 2024 by all dignitaries. The ecosystem report is a comprehensive overview of India’s blockchain landscape and growth potential.It features around 200+ blockchain companies in India where students can explore opportunities in this emerging space and 100+ speakers have shared their insights and experience of working in Blockchain Technology. Mr. Stefan, along with other dignitaries, launched the Certified Hedera Developer Course, which will empower developers to work on cutting-edge blockchain solutions on Hedera Protocol.
Further solidifying India’s role in the metaverse, five prestigious universities (VIT AP University, SRM University Chennai, Symbiosis Institute of Digital and Telecom Management Pune, ITM University, Gwalior and Sikkim Manipal University) were awarded land parcels within Polyversity, a blockchain-powered educational metaverse developed by IDS. This initiative will provide students with immersive learning experiences and virtual peer interaction.
Looking towards the future of web3 innovation, IDS and The Hashgraph Association announced the winners of Hedera India Hackathon 2024through THA’s Virtual Campus in Polyversity Metaverse. Credore™️, AYANWORKS, and 1*Works were each awarded $250,000 under this Hackathon. IDS felicitated Academia and Industry with Bharat Blockchain Academic Excellence Awards 2024, recognizing top universities for their contributions to blockchain education and presented Bharat Blockchain Industry Excellence Awards 2024, recognizing top companies for their contributions in blockchain space.
The Bharat Blockchain Yatra Grand Finale 2024 celebrated India’s momentum in blockchain innovation, uniting visionaries from across sectors and setting the stage for further advancements in technology and education. Building on the tremendous success of Season 1, the next phase of the Bharat Blockchain Yatra will transcend borders, embarking on an intercontinental journey to bring Indian blockchain innovation to the global stage. This expansion aims to position India as a key player in the global blockchain ecosystem, sharing the country’s vision, expertise, and pioneering solutions with the world.
