THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR,
MARCH 2, 2026
The Odisha Government
has been honoured with the prestigious Technology Sabha Excellence Award for
its flagship digital governance initiative, AmaSathi Unified WhatsApp BOT,
conferred by Express Computer, a leading technology publication of the Indian Express Group. The award was
presented on 27th February 2026 at the Technology Sabha held at Trident,
Hyderabad, in recognition of the State’s exemplary innovation in leveraging
technology for citizen-centric public service delivery.
The award was
received by Surendra Kumar Meena, Executive Director, Centre for Modernising
Government Initiative (CMGI), under the General Administration Department, on
behalf of the Odisha Government.
Instituted by Express Computer, the Technology Sabha
Excellence Awards are widely regarded as one of the most credible recognitions
in India’s technology and governance ecosystem. The awards honour pathbreaking
initiatives by governments and institutions that demonstrate innovation,
scalability, measurable impact, and long-term sustainability in the deployment
of digital technologies for public good. The selection follows a rigorous
multi-stage evaluation by an eminent jury comprising senior government
functionaries, industry leaders, and technology experts.
The AmaSathi Unified
WhatsApp BOT has emerged as a transformative digital interface, enabling
citizens to access a wide spectrum of government services and information
through a single, user-friendly platform on WhatsApp. By removing the need for
multiple applications and reducing physical visits to government offices, the
initiative has substantially improved accessibility, transparency, efficiency,
and responsiveness in service delivery, particularly for citizens in remote and
underserved areas.
Speaking on the occasion, Surendra Kumar Meena, said, “AmaSathi Unified WhatsApp BOT is a significant step towards ensuring governance at the doorstep of every citizen of Odisha. By leveraging a platform that citizens already use in their daily lives, we are making government services more accessible, inclusive, and responsive. This initiative reflects our commitment to citizen-centric governance, where technology acts as a powerful enabler of convenience, trust, and transparency.”
The recognition at the Technology Sabha further consolidates Odisha’s position as a frontrunner in digital governance and underscores the State’s sustained efforts to harness emerging technologies to deepen citizen engagement while delivering efficient, inclusive, and future-ready public services.
