Eminent technocrat and former chairman of National Knowledge Commission Satyanarayan Gangaram Pitroda popularly known as Sam Pitroda has been appointed technology advisor to the Odisha Government. The announcement was made by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Pitroda, who will enjoy the status of a Cabinet rank minister, will work for the development of IT sector and prepare Vision 2036 document for the State.

Born at Titlagarh in Balangir district in 1942, Pitroda is a telecom engineer, inventor, entrepreneur and policymaker. Pitroda launched the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) in 1984 and served as advisor to then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1987 on Technology Missions. He was also the founding chairman of India’s Telecom Commission.

Odisha

Capital : Bhubaneswar

Governor :  Dr SC Jamir