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DD Purkayastha, Organizing Secretary, Infocom 2005 |
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Good afternoon ladies & gentlemen
I have the very pleasant task of proposing the vote of thanks to all those who made possible the success that has been Infocom 2005. If there has been ever a year that Infocom appreciated the support of its stake-holders, it’s this. Believe me.
“On a circle, an end point can also be the beginning point” — an aphorism from the Greek philosopher Heraclitus. But I must say, for Infocom it holds particularly true. At every Infocom, a circle is born. It joins us up thousands of people — ICT enthusiasts like you and me — in a journey that is rich with learning and full of unexpected surprises. At every Infocom, we try to put our best foot forward. Yet every time, we end up learning much more than we had bargained for. So as every year, one Infocom gives birth to another — a bigger, better endeavour. And for us a new journey begins.
When we started out, our capital was, more than anything, the dream we had in our hearts. Four years of back-breaking labour has turned Infocom into the biggest ICT exposition in the country. And today we have delegates coming over from all across the country and worldwide, from industry and the government, from academia and the civil society — as joyous celebrants in this ICT exposition. It’s no longer our own. It has become everyone’s — a vital date in the calendar for us all.
They say, you don’t gain if you don’t venture. And I am delighted to say that venture we did and gained we have — in range, scale, magnitude and participation. And I am proud to say that Infocom 2005 has way beyond that initial dream. And indeed from all its predecessors. From Day One, both the conference and exhibition venues have been packed full with hundreds of IT enthusiasts. Way beyond our projected estimations. Every session crackled with fire as some of the best and brightest speakers entered into dialogues with a responsive audience. Users, providers, industry leaders, executives, policy-makers, techies and academics took stock, shared feedback, brainstormed. Ideas floated. People mingled and networked as if there’s no tomorrow.
So should it be a celebration of our achievements, or the rallying cry for the next action plan? An anthem to mark an end? Or a hymn for the future? For, ladies & gentlemen, I believe, we stand at the threshold of a new age. All of us here, I believe, are touched with the ability to change and make the future … Because, Infocom is not just an event or a gathering of like-minded people.It is much more. It is one of those sparks that has the power to put the country aflame —shaping its destiny, designing and contributing to the greatest good of the greatest numbers.
Now let's check out what we achieved this year…
150,000 sq ft of exhibition space Three parallel conference tracks Over 30,000 footfalls in two days 2000 delegates (100 overseas), 90 speakers 55 sponsoring companies, 350 corporates Special Jobs Mart & Edufair Pavillions
180 delegates from Chennai and Bangalore in a specially chartered flight
On behalf of Infocom 2005:
My warmest thanks to our Chief Guest, Mr Gopal Krishna Gandhi, Governor of West Bengal, for taking time off his busy schedule and for his inspiring speech.
I thank Mr. Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal, for his participation in the Chief Ministers’ Interactive Session.
I thank Mr. Manabendra Mukherjee, Minister for IT & Environment, West Bengal, for his unstinting support.
I thank the IT ministers and their representatives who participated in the IT ministers round table.
I thank all the sponsors for supporting the event & all our exhibitors for hosting a world-class exhibition.
I thank the speakers who came from India & abroad and shared their relevant knowledge & precious time.
I thank the delegates who have been with us during this time.
I thank the Government of West Bengal and Kolkata Police for their whole-hearted support; The ministry of sports and youth affairs for providing us the exhibition venue; The media for the extensive coverage; IIM Calcutta for organizing lively quiz show; BSNL and Reliance Infocom for infrastructure support; and The Hyatt Regency hotel for hosting the conference.
Let’s think Infocom 2006 now. We’re very happy to announce the dates of Infocom 2006. It will be a three-day conference and five-day exhibition - between Wednesday 6th December to Sunday 10th December 2006 .So, friends, please block the dates in your diary from now.
As all good things must come to an end, so does Infocom 2005.To conclude, let me once again point out that without you all we would never have the guts to dream and strive to reach those. So thank you all.
We shall now draw the curtains on the conference with the National Anthem.
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