New Delhi, November 14 (IANS). Vice President CP Radhakrishnan addressed the diamond jubilee celebrations of the Indian Telecommunication Service (ITS) at Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi on Friday. During this, he congratulated all the serving and retired ITS officers for six decades of distinguished service and mentioned their important role in advancing India’s communication and digital development. In his address, the Vice President said that we are not just completing sixty years of service, but also celebrating India’s journey from the telegraph to the digital age.
Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia participated in the program as the chief guest.
Describing telecom as the ‘backbone of Digital India’, the Vice President praised the service for connecting every part of the country and ensuring continuity during national emergencies. He said that Digital India has always been dedicated to the people and their commitment to keep India connected like a family. He urged the officials to maintain the core values of ethics, equality and excellence as India moves towards the era of 5G, 6G, satellite internet and quantum communications. He stressed that technology should serve humanity and ensure that no Indian is left behind.
He further said that Indian Telecom Service (ITS) has always represented much more than networks and numbers, it is fundamentally about people. It’s about your unwavering commitment, which is often overlooked. To keep India together not only as a nation but as a unified family. The Vice President further said that telecom is no longer just one sector. It is the backbone of Digital India, supporting the pillars of governance, education, finance and innovation. Be it policy formulation, spectrum management, or ensuring robust and secure networks, ITS officers have always been the most trusted architects of change in the state. India’s telecom development is a testament to expert engineering, institutional strength and a deep sense of public duty.
Expressing his gratitude to the ITS community, Radhakrishnan said that you are quiet engineers of inclusivity and change. In the future, bridges of knowledge and equality should be built.
At the same time, Jyotiraditya Scindia threw light on the transformational journey of India’s telecom sector. He emphasized that the progress of the nation is deeply linked with the growth of the Indian Telecom Service (ITS) cadre. From the era of telegraph wires and manual exchanges to the horizon of cutting-edge 5G networks, AI-powered systems and 6G technology, ITS has been the backbone of India’s digital development. The ITS cadre provides continuity, capability and confidence in every chapter of India’s digital progress.
In his speech, Scindia recalled his visit to India’s telecom sector. He said that the progress of the country is linked to the Indian Telecom Service (ITS) cadre. From telegraph wires and manual exchanges to 5G, AI and the upcoming 6G, ITS has served as the backbone of India’s digital progress. He said that ITS gives continuity, capability and confidence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision includes roads, airports, waterways as well as digital revolution, which has been created by ITS officers.
He said that officers should be inquisitive, continuous learners, humble, improve and become mentors. One team, one vision, one goal, one result and the ability to innovate – adopt this mantra.
Minister of State for Communications Dr. Chandra Shekhar Pemmasani said that ITS officials have created a secure, affordable digital infrastructure. India is no longer a consumer of technology but is becoming a telecom product nation. Indigenous solutions like Sanchar Saathi are examples of this. ITS created digital highways, thereby bridging the digital and opportunity gap. Congratulations on 60 years of great service!
Secretary (Telecom) Dr. Neeraj Mittal appreciated the technical and managerial excellence of ITS. These officers are the real leaders of reform, performance, change. Showed flexibility in technological changes in 60 years. BSNL’s indigenous 4G stack is a shining example of self-reliant India. At 60 years, ITS is like a strong telecom backbone: strong, flexible, redundant where necessary and ready for 100 Gbps challenges.
–IANS
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