Bharat Blockchain Yatra 2024: A Transformative Journey Paving the Way for India’s Blockchain Future
The Bharat Blockchain Yatra (BBY) has successfully concluded its inaugural season, making a significant impact on India’s blockchain landscape. This innovative initiative, organised by Information Data Systems Inc. (IDS) in partnership with the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), the National Education Technology Forum (NETF), and Anuvadini AI, spanned 18 states and engaged over 12,000 participants from various backgrounds, including students, educators, and industry experts. It offered a distinctive platform to delve into the connections between blockchain technology, education, industry, and governance, nurturing a collaborative environment ready to propel India’s advancements in the blockchain field.
Key Milestones and Highlights
The Bharat Blockchain Yatra 2024 featured several milestone events, from the launch of the comprehensive Bharat Blockchain Ecosystem Report 2024 to the integration of blockchain in education through the Polyversity Metaverse, awarding land parcels to five esteemed universities as a step toward immersive, technology-driven learning.
Reflecting on the success of the Yatra, IDS Inc. CEO Sudharshan Reddy stated, “Our mission was to bring blockchain technology into the spotlight across India, promoting collaboration among academia, industry, and government. We’re incredibly proud of the impact Bharat Blockchain Yatra has made, from hosting 21 educational events to forming partnerships that will continue to drive blockchain adoption and innovation.”
Collaboration with Government and Industry Leaders
The Yatra garnered substantial backing from both government and industry players, enhancing its influence and reach. Prof. T.G. Sitharam, Chairman of AICTE, highlighted the importance of incorporating blockchain technology in AICTE-affiliated institutions. “Integrating emerging technologies such as blockchain with fundamental engineering fields is crucial for equipping students to meet future industry needs. We anticipate IDS taking the lead on this initiative and broadening its impact across institutions nationwide,” stated Prof. Sitharam.
Shri Chandrasekhar Buddha, Chief Coordinating Officer of AICTE, reaffirmed AICTE’s commitment to fostering blockchain education and employment opportunities. “As we aim to create 10 lakh jobs and internships by 2025, partnerships like these with IDS and The Hashgraph Association are crucial in building a skilled workforce. The commitment to certify 50,000 Hedera developers will create immense value for India’s blockchain ecosystem,” he noted.
Shri Gaurav Singh from the Ministry of Education (MoE) stressed the Ministry’s vision to embed emerging technologies like blockchain into higher education to develop a workforce that can lead in a global digital economy. In alignment with this vision, Stefan Deiss, Co-Founder of The Hashgraph Association, announced a $100 million Ventures Fund to support over 250 Web3 projects in India, with a goal to train 50,000 Certified Hedera Developers in collaboration with 50+ academic partnerships across India.
Bridging Industry and Academia: A Catalyst for Research and Development
The Yatra prioritised industry-academia collaboration, sparking research, development, and educational initiatives that cater to emerging technology needs. The Hedera India Hackathon 2024, which took place during the Yatra, celebrated winners Credore, AYANWORKS, and 1 Works, who were awarded $250,000 each in funding to support the Indian blockchain ecosystem’s innovative potential.
A significant focus of the Bharat Blockchain Yatra was its emphasis on industry-academia partnerships, driving research and development in blockchain applications, and engaging over 10,000 students. Mr. Voruganti Aravind, Global Vice President at IDS, noted the inspiring enthusiasm among students now equipped to drive blockchain innovation.
Educational Initiatives Transforming India’s Blockchain Workforce
Among the standout initiatives introduced was the Polyversity Metaverse, which offers immersive learning through virtual land parcels awarded to universities such as VIT AP, SRM, Symbiosis, ITM Gwalior, and Sikkim Manipal University. The initiative aims to create an immersive learning environment that enhances students’ educational experiences. Furthermore, the Certified Hedera Developer Course, developed with The Hashgraph Association, is designed to equip students with practical blockchain skills, supporting India’s ambition to become a global leader in technology.
Prof. Anil Sahasrabudhe, Chairman of NETF, praised these initiatives, noting their potential to standardise verifiable credentials through blockchain integrated with the APAAR ID system. These innovative programs align with India’s educational policy vision, creating a framework that supports immersive, blockchain-based learning environments across the nation.
The Future of Bharat Blockchain Yatra: Season 2 Goes Global
Following the success of Season 1, IDS announced the next phase of the Bharat Blockchain Yatra, with plans to expand to a global stage. This intercontinental journey will not only position India as a leader in blockchain innovation but also foster international collaborations and investments that will accelerate the growth of India’s blockchain ecosystem.
A Lasting Impact: India’s Blockchain Journey Through Bharat Blockchain Yatra
The Bharat Blockchain Yatra has set foundational steps for advancing India’s blockchain ecosystem, establishing connections across academia, industry, and government to drive research, innovation, and skills development in this emerging field. Reflecting on its impact, Mr. Voruganti Aravind, Global Vice President at IDS, noted that initiatives like the Bharat Blockchain Network and Polyversity have created a collaborative framework to equip India’s workforce with the skills needed for the evolving digital economy. This groundwork marks a move toward strengthening India’s role in the global blockchain landscape.