Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI:: DevFest Goa 2024, the annual global event hosted by Google Developer Group (GDG), took place, bringing together a diverse community of developers and tech enthusiasts to explore the latest trends and advancements in technology. This year marked the 13th edition of the conference, with the Minister for Tourism, Information Technology, Electronics, and Communications, Government of Goa Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, as the chief guest. The event offered an opportunity for participants to engage with a variety of open-source tools and technologies, focusing on key areas of growth and innovation.
The conference featured an impressive lineup of industry experts who shared insights across various topics. Mr Vivek Yadav, Enterprise Solutions Architect at FlutterFlow and Google Developer Expert explored how to unleash the power of FlutterFlow, guiding participants from development to product excellence. Mr. Aditya Thakur, Google Developer Expert in Dart, discussed the possibilities of using Dart on Cloud Run to help Flutter developers go full-stack. Mr. Biswanath Giri, Google Cloud Principal Architect at LTIMindtree, delved into the intricacies of GCP Networking, while Mr. Rivu Chakraborty, Kotlin GDE and Android Architect at Viacom18 JioCinema, examined SOLID principles and architectural decisions in app development.
Addressing the gathering, Minister for Tourism, Information Technology, Electronics and Communications, Government of Goa Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, emphasized Goa’s evolving identity in the tech landscape. “Over the past decade, we have worked to shift the perception of Goa from being merely a destination for sun, sea, and tourism to a hub of innovation and opportunity,” he remarked. “Our focus on governance, policies, and infrastructure has enabled us to bring essential government services online while building a robust Startup and IT ecosystem. By aligning industry and academia, we are reducing brain drain and creating opportunities for local youth, to achieve 100% employment for our college graduates.”
The day’s sessions continued with discussions led by other notable speakers, including Mr Tarun Jain, Data Scientist at AI Planet and Google Developer Expert in AI/ML, who spoke on building autonomous agents using Gemini Pro. Mr Sumit Kumar, Multi-Cloud Solution Architect, delivered a session on securing applications with Cloud Armor, while Mr Adit Lal provided a guide to making Android apps safe and secure. Mr Pawan Kumar, GDE Flutter and Firebase, discussed how GenKit AI is reshaping workflow automation and driving productivity, and Mr Nitin Prakash, Senior Software Engineer at Upswing, shared insights into the latest updates in Android 15 for users and developers.
During his address, Minister Khaunte highlighted Goa’s vision for Industry 4.0 and AI as critical components of the state’s development. He highlighted ongoing efforts to align education and policies with these transformative technologies, ensuring that Goa remains at the forefront of innovation. “Our commitment to supporting research, development, and global standards is empowering developers and entrepreneurs. We are also proud of the progress made by women entrepreneurs in scaling their businesses, supported by the state’s policies and infrastructure,” Khaunte said. He further added that the government’s focus on enhancing digital infrastructure, including the Har Ghar fibre optic connectivity initiative, aims to achieve widespread rural coverage by 2027, ensuring that every Goan benefits from a connected ecosystem.
Khaunte also touched on the growing trend of digital nomads choosing Goa as a preferred destination for work and leisure. He reinforced the creation of co-working spaces along Goa’s beaches to cater to this demographic, positioning the state as a unique tech hub where innovation meets lifestyle. “We are crafting a niche for Goa in the global technology sector by building an environment that attracts talent from around the world while offering them flexibility” he stated.
The event also underscored Goa’s commitment to fostering its startup ecosystem. Through the state’s progressive Startup Policy, the government has been actively supporting innovation and entrepreneurship, providing young entrepreneurs with the tools and resources needed to succeed. These initiatives, combined with strategic partnerships between industry and academia, are contributing to the growth of Goa’s tech landscape, making it an ideal destination for startups and tech innovators.
DevFest Goa 2024 saw participation from IT professionals across India, reflecting the growing diversity and inclusivity within the tech community. The event’s focus on bringing together different perspectives is key to driving innovation, as Goa continues to evolve into a thriving hub for startups, technology, and development.
