Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched an Integrated Global Financial Technology Capability Hub, called ‘BharatNetra initiative’ in Bhubaneswar at an event in Mayfair. Odisha Electronics & IT Minister Shri Mukesh Mahaling and GFTN CEO Sopnendu Mohanty also graced the occasion.
Terming it as a transformative initiative that will shape the future of finance in Odisha, the CM said it will strengthen India’s global leadership in the digital economy. Odisha will play a central role in making India a global economic leader.
This hub has been launched by Odisha government in collaboration with Global Finance & Technology Network Singapore (GFTN), National University of Singapore and Asian Institute of Digital Finance.
Speaking on the occasion, CM Majhi said that the initiative will skill over 7,000 students across all 30 districts of Odisha. It will run certification programmes designed by the Asian Institute of Digital Finance at the National University of Singapore.
The CM said that this outcome was forged during the historic visit of the President of Singapore, Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam to Odisha in January this year.
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The CM said the state will nurture startups and entrepreneurs by establishing a dedicated Centre of Excellence within this Hub.
In addition, the project will also establish a Global Capability Centre (GCC), he informed. The GCC here will act as a strong foundation for attracting global financial institutions and new investments into Odisha, he added.
Speaking on the state’s efforts to improve digital infrastructure, he said that a ‘cable landing station connecting Bhubaneswar to Singapore’ is being established.
Saying that Odisha is the first state to formulate an AI Policy, he said that we are now in the process of launching a dedicated FinTech Policy and GCC Policy to attract global investments.
The CM said this initiative is in line with the vision of Prime Minister, who has envisioned skilling of 3 crore youth of the country with an investment of Rs 1 lakh crore during his Independence Day speech this year. Odisha is ready to contribute to this grand vision, the CM added.
Saying that Odisha is building one of the strongest talent pipelines in India, he said that Odisha is producing about 1.8 lakh graduates annually in various engineering, polytechnics, and IT streams, and skilled youths in 950 ITIs.
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Emphasizing the importance of Research, the CM said that in addition to skilling, Odisha has established a Deep Neural Network Laboratory and other Centres of Excellence. Our vision is to make Odisha the “Research Capital of the East”, the CM underlined.
The CM thanked the Prime Minister for central government approval for two semiconductor fabrication units in Odisha. Saying that Semiconductors are the building blocks of the digital economy, he said Odisha is proud to play a leadership role in this national mission.
On the ocaasion, the CM launched BharatNetra Hackathon Website and a GCC + overall programme was also announced.
On this occasion, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stated that Bhubaneswar has a long-standing tradition of knowledge. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for a Developed India by 2047. At the same time, Odisha will complete 100 years of its formation as a separate state in 2036. Today’s initiative will not only empower our youth but also take another step toward realizing the vision of a Developed Odisha by 2036 and a Developed India by 2047, as envisioned by Prime Minister Modi.
The Integrated Global Financial Technology Capability Hub (I-GFTCH) will promote digital innovation and ensure that the youth of Odisha do not miss out on 21st-century opportunities, particularly in the fintech sector. It will equip young people with skills for jobs in fields such as insurtech, digital finance, AI, blockchain, and other futuristic domains.
I-GFTCH will serve as a partner in Bhubaneswar to provide world-class employment opportunities to the local youth. Thanking the Chief Minister of Odisha, Shri Pradhan said this initiative will help transform Odisha into a digitally-driven economy.
Before the inauguration of this program, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan held a discussion with Mr. Sopnendu Mohanty, Group CEO of GFTN Singapore. Sharing his views on shaping the future of the financial sector in Odisha through the implementation of the Singapore model—with a focus on talent, technology, and innovation—Mr. Pradhan said that the idea of adopting the Singapore model in Odisha first came to his mind during his visit to Singapore when he was not the Petroleum Minister, while touring various places including Jurong Island.
He noted that Odisha is blessed with immense potential, natural resources, a long coastline, forests, and a talented human resource base. If technocrats like Sopnendu Mohanty, who studied at FM College, can work in Singapore, then why not Odia youngsters? With the right opportunities, Odia youth can achieve anything. He emphasized that a Singapore-like ecosystem must be built in Odisha, particularly to harness and nurture the state’s young talent.
Speaking on youth employment, Shri Pradhan stated that technologies like AI are transforming the present era. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasized the importance of skills over degrees. The New National Education Policy prioritizes skill-based education. While the gross enrollment ratio in higher education has already increased, the government aims to raise it to 50% by 2030.
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The Government of India, along with educational institutions and industries, must work together to build architects of the skill ecosystem while also promoting the spirit of entrepreneurship. Due to the consistent efforts of Prime Minister Modi, innovation has now become a brand in itself. We are focusing on skilling, re-skilling, and upskilling students. At the same time, we need to encourage startups and create an employment-oriented ecosystem for the youth of the state.
Odisha Minister for Electronics & IT, Dr Mukesh Mahaling said that Odisha is emerging as India’s innovation frontier—outpacing national growth and securing over $23 billion in new investments this year. With progressive IT and AI policies, we are creating an ecosystem where advanced infrastructure, world-class talent, and start-up energy converge, he added.
GFTN Group CEO Shri Sopnendu Mohanty said the BharatNetra Initiative and the Integrated Global Financial Technology Capability Hub will redefining Odisha’s role as India’s strategic gateway to the Asia-Pacific financial technology corridor. This partnership with GFTN will empower talent, foster innovation, and connect Odisha to the world’s most dynamic financial ecosystems, he added.
It may be mentioned here that the I-GFTCH in Odisha will focus on four pillars- Global Learning, Global Mindshare, Global Innovation, and Global Capability Hub – developed in partnership with Singapore based GFTN.
Over the next five years, this initiative will equip 7,000 students statewide with vital skills in technology, regulation, and business for careers in financial technology.
The programme has selected its first batch of 375 students from more than 3,800 applicants representing over 60 colleges across all districts of Odisha. The first batch is set to graduate by January 2026.
