
SOURAV DAS
GROUP CHIEF - DIGITAL & IT, RUPA & CO., & CHAIRMAN
PHILANTHROPIC TECHNICAL ASSOCIATION (PTA)
The Philanthropic Technical Association (PTA) marked its first anniversary with an inspiring valedictory address delivered by Mr. Sourav Das, who captivated an engaged audience by reflecting on PTA’s journey, acknowledging its key contributors, and outlining a bold vision for the future. His remarks combined gratitude, optimism, and a strong call to action—underscoring how technology leaders can be agents of positive societal change.
Mr. Das acknowledged the steadfast support of PTA’s partners, emphasizing that their collaboration has been instrumental in building the association’s credibility and momentum over its first year.
MISSION AND VISION OF PTA
The Philanthropic Technical Association (PTA) is a collective of CIOs and IT leaders dedicated to creating a positive impact on the technology ecosystem. Its membership spans large conglomerates, corporates, SMEs, and government enterprises, covering diverse verticals such as Iron & Steel, Metals & Mining, BFSI, Manufacturing, FMCG & Retail, Fashion & Footwear, EPC, Education, Paints, Petroleum & Petrochem, Pharma & Healthcare, and Technology. Together, PTA’s footprint represents a significant share of the state’s GDP.
With over 125 members, the association has a strong base in manufacturing (30%), followed by Iron & Steel (12%). Other key sectors such as Healthcare, FMCG, Fashion & Retail, Education, and Government each account for around 5–7% of the membership.
What makes PTA unique is its close-knit community. Members actively participate in masterclasses, workshops, and knowledge-sharing sessions, fostering collaboration and continuous learning. Beyond networking, PTA also plays a pivotal role in benchmarking IT products and services, serving as a trusted platform for experience-sharing among senior technology leaders.
L-R: Dr. Arindam Sarkar, Head of Department of C S & Electronics- Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira- Howrah; Mr. Prakash Mani Tripathi, GM-IT, Shyam Steel Industries; Prof. Amlan Chakraborty, Professor & Director, A.K. Choudhury School of IT - University of Calcutta; Mr. Sourav Das, Group Chief of Digital & IT- Rupa & Co.; Dr. Deepak Kumar sahu, Editor-in-chief-VARINDIA & Group Publications; Prakash Sharma, Group CIO- Kredent Group; Dr. Pallab Ganguly, CISO Generation & Alt CISO Distribution- CESC Ltd; Mahadev Sahoo,Head of IT- RetailEZ; Tarun Dwibedi, Manager Systems-Kolkata Municipal Corporation; Suvendu Sarkar, Sr. Mgr- SAP & IT Project – Rupa & Co. ; Kunal Chakraborty,Head IT- GKB Opticals; Kulwant Chabbra, DGM IT & Systems- Diamond Beverages (P) Ltd.; Rahul Sankalpa, GM & GroupIT HEAD- VISA Steel; Aloke Majumder, VP – Technology- HOI CHOI; Satya Priya Das, Director- Logarhythm Consultancy Pvt. Ltd.; Amitava Mukherjee, Head Of IT & ERP System – Quacker Chemicals; Kaustabh Sinha, Head IT-Abdos India Group
CELEBRATING KEY CONTRIBUTORS
Sourav Das dedicated part of his address recognizing individuals who have played pivotal roles in PTA’s growth. He praised Professor Amlan Chakraborty for his visionary approach and dynamic engagement with academia, describing him as someone with the passion and enthusiasm of a “Nobel laureate.” Chakraborty’s efforts to bridge the gap between educational institutions and industry, Mr. Das have been critical in fostering collaboration and innovation.
He also expressed deep appreciation for Dr. Pallab Ganguly, referring to him as a “partner in crime” who has consistently supported PTA’s initiatives, including college visits and knowledge-sharing sessions. In addition, he highlighted the contributions of Prakash Tripathi and Prakash Sharma, who have been instrumental in coordinating member activities and organizing successful events.
REFLECTING ON THE FIRST YEAR
The celebration included a video presentation showcasing PTA’s journey over the past twelve months. The highlights illustrated how the association has fostered professional connections, facilitated knowledge exchange, and created opportunities for students through internships and mentorship programs. Mr. Das acknowledged that while much has been achieved, this is just the beginning—the foundation has been laid for even greater impact in the years to come.
THE ROAD AHEAD
In his closing remarks, Mr. Das emphasized PTA’s continued commitment to making wellness, education, and innovation accessible and impactful. He urged members to collaborate more closely, not only to strengthen the IT industry but also to benefit the broader community.
The event concluded with a symbolic cake-cutting ceremony, celebrating one year of shared vision, collaboration, and success. Mr. Das’s speech resonated as a powerful call to action, urging IT leaders to embrace their roles as mentors, innovators, and community builders. By supporting startups, nurturing young talent, and fostering a culture of continuous learning, PTA seeks to establish Kolkata as a thriving tech hub and inspire similar movements across India.
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AI, Cybersecurity, and the Road to Atmanirbhar Bharat
DR. DEEPAK KUMAR SAHU
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF VARINDIA
Our partners are key to growth and connection—opening new markets, sharing expertise, and driving success. Let’s celebrate their incredible impact!
A key issue today is Identity and Access Management (IAM). The old reliance on passwords and static biometrics no longer suffices, as compromised identifiers create serious risks. The shift toward behavioral biometrics represents a necessary evolution. With the IAM market booming—from $22.9 billion in 2024 to an expected $34.3 billion in 2029—India stands at the forefront of rapid growth.
Fraud is increasing, with crypto-related losses hitting $4.6 billion in 2024. First- time customers remain particularly vulnerable. As digital threats rise, securing identity is essential. Cybersecurity and AI now rank alongside traditional defense, as AI-driven threats escalate, making us all potential targets. India’s embrace of AI and Generative AI demands vigilance, ethical practices, and robust security as we connect the physical and digital worlds.
As we navigate the digital age, generative AI is reshaping identity and personalization— while also enabling synthetic identity fraud. Criminals blend real and fake data to bypass checks and commit complex fraud. In this evolving landscape, businesses must adapt to stay ahead. As the saying goes: Hacks and Ethics. Like fire, hacking can build or destroy. It's not the skill, but the intent that matters—ethics turn hacking into a tool for protection, not harm.
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