Pitroda keen to be technology advisor of Odisha

BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha government has proposed to rope in telecom czar Sam Pitroda as a technology advisor for the development of telecom, electronics, IT (information technology) and ITes (enabled services) sectors in the state.

Considering his immense contribution to the development of telecommunication and technology in the country for nearly a decade in the 1980s, Pitroda may advise the state in creating the infrastructure in the IT, ITes and telecom sectors. 

The founder and first Chairman of India’s Telecom Commission is also expected to leverage his experience and contact base to attract investments to Odisha, said sources.

Sources said that the IT department of Odisha had sent a request to Sam Pitroda for accepting the offer of advisor (technology) to the state government, and he has expressed his keenness for the assignment.

The state government is awaiting the final confirmation from his office, sources added.

Pitroda, who was born in Titlagarh in Odisha, recently visited the state to release his autobiography book ‘Dreaming Big: My Journey to Connect India’.

Pitroda, who had served as an advisor to the Prime Minister of India on Public Information Infrastructure and Innovation, had headed India’s National Knowledge Commission (2005-2009).