Harnessing the Power of Technology

Saxena has been pursuing use of Information Technology in governance, right from the beginning of his career. As Collector & District Magistrate of Kheda (1985 – 88), he set up District Computer Center for implementing Natural Resources Data Management System (NRDMS) on pilot basis . He also deployed applications for monitoring the progress of the various projects undertaken by the District Planning Board. In 1989, as the Director (Nuclear Power), Department of Atomic Energy, he developed a computer-based Work Flow Management Systems for the Atomic Energy Department. In his current assignment as the Additional Chief Secretary to Government of Gujarat leading the Department of Science & Technology, he has been working relentlessly to deploy computing in the applications of the government with a view to bringing greater efficiency and transparency.

After he took over the department of science & technology, he upgraded the ICT infrastructure in Gujarat and ended up creating the most robust State Wide Area Network (SWAN) in this part of the world. This connects almost 5000 offices across the length and breadth of the State, with more than 125,000 email addresses on its exchange server. This, along with the eGram network of Gujarat, which consists of 14,000 VSATS , is now serving about 50,000 nodes, thereby making Gujarat the most connected state in the country. He is now taking the state data center to next level of virtualised and cloud environment. His efforts have resulted in making Gujarat the only state in the country to have end-to-end IP based connectivity covering all 26 districts, 226 talukas and – through eGram – the 18000 villages of Gujarat.

He has also conceptualised a “Unified Communication System” for carrying voice, data and video to all offices of the State Government on its proprietary IP backbone ie GSWAN, thereby ensuring complete telepresence of every official of the State Government.

He has chaired several panel discussions, been a panellist and a key speaker at many technology events, numbering more than a hundred in last two years alone (click here for details). His views on technology and governance regularly appear as perceptive interviews and articles in illustrious publications in the field of IT (click here for details). Under his guidance, the department of science & technology has organised events and conferences of national and international significance (click here for details).

A Champion of Digital Empowerment

He is a champion of Digital Empowerment across the rural Gujarat as also its urban slums. He cautions that ICT revolution is creating a schism between the digitally connected and those who are deprived, which may be dangerous for society He believes that by bridging the digital divide, the society will gradually move towards holistic inclusion where the health, education, food, drinking water, sanitation, housing and livelihood issues of the underserved will also get addressed

As the Additional Chief Secretary – Dept of Science & Technology (since 2009), he has been advocating the need to spread the power of IT amongst the people at the bottom to ensure delivery of intended benefits to them. He has ensured the deployment of ICT up to the Gram Panchayat level and encouraged development of various e-governance initiatives & applications like e-Gram, e-Kalyan, GSWAN, Police Computerization(HDIITS) & District Computerization (ATVT). ATVT facilitates Taluka Sarkar in faster service delivery using ICT and video conferencing facilities.

Mr Saxena strengthened Community Science Centers (CSC) in every district of the state with an objective to create future scientists from grassroots. He saw to the installation of computers and digital media equipment worth over Rs. 700 crores in 17000 village primary schools to enhance quality of education in the state. He speaks at various forums about the need to address rural developmental issues through policy level ICT implementation.

Strengthening ICT Infrastructure

Soon after taking over the department of science & technology, he upgraded the ICT infrastructure in Gujarat and created the most robust State Wide Area Network in Asia. Along with the eGram network of Gujarat, the GSWAN serves about 50,000 nodes, thereby designating Gujarat as the most connected state in the country.

This has also resulted in Gujarat being the only state in the country to have end-to-end IP based connectivity , with 1 Gigabyte per second of bandwidth from National Knowledge Network , covering all 26 districts, 226 talukas and the 18000 villages of Gujarat. He has created the infrastructure to ensure delivery of video conferencing and telecasting facilities across all villages of Gujarat.

He has been campaigning for consolidation of Government IT infrastructure for the entire country which should result in a Unified Government Cloud Structure. He is taking the state data center to next level of virtualised and cloud environment and also experimenting on a unique project for creating 2Mbps bandwidth-on-demand for video conferencing from Gandhinagar to any village in Gujarat.

He has planned the formation of an Information Technology Investment Region (ITIR) in Dholera and Vadodara and also setting up India’s first Geospatial Park project in the State. He also created a new company called BISAG Satellite Communication to promote DTH Broadcast based education in the State of Gujarat.