On National Technology Day, India reflects on more than just technological advancements; it signifies a subtle transformation within organizations where technology transcends systems and transformation programs to become integral to human experiences and everyday decisions. Leaders across various sectors are recognizing a pivotal shift—technology is no longer merely a tool, but a personal aspect of work life, shaped not through strategy but by lived experiences.
Kamal Karnatak, Global CIO of RJ Corp, emphasizes this shift: “It wasn’t just efficiency; it was transformation. In that moment, technology stopped being a tool and became a force that reshaped how work itself was imagined.” In the 1990s, while working in textile manufacturing, Karnatak faced challenges requiring manual calculations and extensive coordination for even minor production adjustments. The introduction of computerized systems dramatically reduced these processes to mere seconds, changing his perception of technology from merely enhancing workflows to fundamentally redefining them.
Similarly, Gopi Thangavel, Group CIO of L&T Group, asserts, “Technology is not just about platforms, cloud, or AI. At its core, technology is about people, trust, resilience, and the ability to help society function during its most difficult moments.” During the COVID-19 pandemic, Thangavel oversaw the transition of thousands of employees to remote work, ensuring critical systems remained operational. He noted that the profound impact of this transformation lay not in the systems themselves but in the connections maintained among employees and the rapid decision-making enabled by digital tools.
Rakesh Bhardwaj, CIO of Lupin Limited, stated, “Technology is spoken of only twice—when we buy it and when it breaks. Everything in between is experience.” At Lupin, as digital systems became more closely integrated with patients and healthcare professionals, the emphasis shifted from system functionality to user experience. He highlighted the value of seamless systems that minimize disruptions and enhance decision-making, emphasizing that in healthcare, this quiet functionality fosters trust.
Siddharth Sharma, Chief Information and Innovation Officer at Digi Yatra Foundation, shared, “True innovation should be invisible—improving lives while remaining Responsible by Design.” He recounted a moment during a contactless travel pilot where an elderly passenger navigated airport security smoothly, simply stating, “Kamaal ho gaya, maja aa gaya!” This experience encapsulated the goal of creating secure and frictionless travel systems, reinforcing the philosophy that the most effective technology operates unobtrusively while still delivering significant benefits.
Ketan Lodaya, CDIO of Gulf Oil Lubricants India Ltd, offered, “Technology becomes truly powerful not when it replaces human effort, but when it amplifies human potential.” He described a time when technology was confined to server rooms and dashboards, contrasting it with the present, where it is integrated into every decision-making process and conversation. For him, the realization that transformation is about people rather than systems was pivotal. The most valuable digital experiences enhance human interactions, empower teams, and drive growth.
These narratives illustrate a broader truth: technology is no longer defined solely by systems. It is characterized by moments when it supports organizations during crises, simplifies challenges, restores dignity to user experiences, and builds trust in daily life. This National Technology Day marks a significant acknowledgment of the shift—technology is not just what is developed but also what is ingrained in our lives.
Published On May 11, 2026, at 09:24 AM IST.
