Kovind inaugurates workshop on Cyber Shikshit Bharat

In a significant push towards bolstering India’s digital defences, the International Workshop on “Cyber Shikshit Bharat: Securing Critical Infrast-ructure — Empowering India through Cyber Awareness and Resilience” was held today at new Maharashtra  Sadan  New Delhi, drawing top leaders, experts and industry pioneers.

The event, aimed at fostering a cyber-secure ecosystem amid rising global threats, was graced by Shri Ram Nath Kovind, former President of India, as the Chief Guest. Shri Kailash Vijayvargiya, Cabinet Minister of Madhya Pradesh, served as the Guest of Honour, while Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), delivered a compelling keynote address.

Organised by Lisianthus Tech, a leading cybersecurity firm,  the workshop highlighted the urgent need for awareness, resilience, and indigenous innovation in safeguarding India’s critical infrastructure. Co-hosted by HCL Tech and CERT-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team), the event saw strategic event  partnerships with MeitY, Indian Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad (IIIT-H), Gramax Cyber Tech and CSAI as event partners. The gathering brought together policymakers, technologists and academics to discuss strategies for combating cyber threats in an increasingly interconnected world.

In his inaugural address, former President Kovind underscored the pivotal role of cyber awareness in national security. “As India marches towards becoming a global digital powerhouse, securing our critical infrastructure is not just a technical imperative but a national duty. Initiatives like Cyber Shikshit Bharat empower citizens and institutions to build resilience against evolving threats,” he said. Kovind praised the collaborative efforts.

Guest of Honour Kailash Vijayvargiya echoed these sentiments, linking cybersecurity to economic growth. “Madhya Pradesh is committed to digital transformation, but without robust cyber defences, progress remains vulnerable. This workshop is a timely step towards equipping our youth and industries with the tools to thrive in a secure digital environment,” he remarked, highlighting state-level initiatives aligned with national goals.

Shri Abhishek Singh’s keynote delved into MeitY roadmap for cyber resilience. He emphasized the government’s focus on awareness campaigns and policy frameworks to protect sectors like energy, finance, and healthcare. “Cyber threats know no borders; hence, empowering India through education and innovation is key. MeitY is proud to support events that bridge public-private partnerships,” Singh stated.

At the helm of the event was Khushhal Kaushik, Founder and CEO of Lisianthus Tech, who outlined the workshop’s objectives. “declared: “For too long, India has been a large consumer but a small creator in cybersecurity. Today we reverse that. Every line of code, every chip, every algorithm in these new platforms is designed, written and manufactured by Indians, for Indians.

,” Kaushik said. He announced several ground breaking collaborations that stole the spotlight. A key highlight was the partnership between CERT-In and Lisianthus Tech for joint awareness programs under the Cyber Shikshit Bharat Initiative. This collaboration aims to roll out nationwide campaigns, training programs, and simulations to educate citizens on cyber hygiene and threat response.

HCL Tech joined hands with Lisianthus Tech to drive indigenous technology development, aligning with the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision. The duo will focus on self-reliance in IT, cybersecurity, and digital infrastructure, including the creation of indigenous cloud solutions, Security Operations Centres (SOCs), data centres, and network infrastructure. Plans also include establishing next-generation Centres of Excellence for secure hardware, AI, and quantum computing-pivotal for India’s technological sovereignty.

IIIT-H’s collaboration with Lisianthus Tech will emphasize cybersecurity awareness and robust R&D. Together, they plan to develop next-generation Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) platforms, AI-driven security tools tailored for India, and solutions for Operational Technology (OT) and Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystems. This partnership is expected to yield innovative research, fostering a new wave of homegrown talent in cybersecurity. Gramax Cyber Tech’s tie-up with Lisianthus Tech aims to enhance India’s critical infrastructure through co-developed technologies. By integrating advanced tools for threat detection and response, the collaboration will fortify sectors vulnerable to cyber disruptions, ensuring operational continuity.

Lt Gen Rajesh Pant, former National Cyber Security Coordinator (NCSC) and Mentor at Lisianthus Tech, shared insights on strategic defences. “In today’s hybrid warfare, cyber resilience is non-negotiable. Mentoring initiatives like this will help build a cadre of experts to protect our nation’s assets,” he commented.

Dr S.K. Verma, Chairman, Lisianthus Tech, added, “Cybersecurity is no longer an IT issue; it is a civilizational challenge. With partners like CERT-In, HCLTech, IIIT-Hyderabad and Gramax, we are building solutions that are ‘Designed in India, Deployed for India and Secured by India’.”

The workshop featured panel discussions on emerging threats like ransomware and AI-driven attacks, alongside hands-on sessions on resilience building. Attendees, including government officials, corporate leaders, and students, engaged in interactive dialogues, underscoring the event’s role in democratizing cyber knowledge. As cyber incidents surge globally, with India facing over 1.5 million attacks annually, such initiatives are crucial.

The International Workshop not only spotlighted immediate strategies but also laid the foundation for long-term empowerment, aligning with India’s ambition to lead in digital security. This event reinforces the collective resolve to create a Cyber Shikshit Bharat, where awareness and resilience form the bedrock of progress.