EkStep Foundation organised a mega event in New Delhi. Key opinion leaders, subject matter experts, and bureaucrats came together to discuss the various opportunities that open networks like ONEST can provide and the importance of public-private partnerships that can help enable India to reach its target of a $5 trillion economy by 2024. 

ONEST (Open Network for Education & Skilling Transactions) also registered its first set of network transactions where NASSCOM, ONDC, UNDP, bureaucrats, and several social and private sector organisations pledged their support to supercharge the education & skilling journey for various causes.

ONEST aims to bring together the power of thousands of platforms to enable lifelong learning & livelihoods. This is more significant when India is at the cusp of technological innovation by empowering billions of lives with Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and its entrepreneurship ecosystem. 

With the objective of showcasing inclusive, innovative solutions, the event presented a variety of opportunities & experiences for addressing diverse global needs. Speakers and participants also discussed how DPIs can provide solutions to every problem or situation. 

Adil Zainulbhai, chairman, Network 18 group shared his views on the current issues being faced by the industry and said that, one of the biggest ptoblem the industry faces is connecting non-regular, skilled labour to organisations that need them at scale. He added that with the power of open networks, the right infrastructure and quality talent, such problems can be solved.

Debjani Ghosh, president NASSCOM also expressed his thoughts and said, "Like the entire nation took vaccine during Covid, we need to vaccinate everyone with AI to create the Generation AI that will leverage our demographics & fulfill India's potential."
 
Mr. Nandan Nilekani, co-founder and chairperson, EkStep, said, "Artificial Intelligence, open networks and continuous learning have the potential to transform India. Earlier data was a by-product, but today, it is the digital capital for both businesses and individuals. We need to combine the power of digital capital with human capital to create the people + advantage. A young India has tremendous potential, and open networks like ONEST will be pivotal to realise that potential". 

EkStep Foundation, founded in 2008 by Nandan Nilekani, Rohini Nilekani, and Shankar Maruwada is a philanthropic, not-for-profit organisation which focusses on education and skiling and also has a deep connection with India's DPI journey.