Bhubaneswar: Former chairman of Odisha Skill Development Authority Subroto Bagchi has been appointed Chairman of Karnataka’s newly constituted Vision Group for Skill Development.
The Karnataka government has constituted the high-level advisory body to provide strategic direction to the State’s skilling ecosystem in furtherance of the Karnataka State Skill Policy 2025, which articulates the State’s commitment to building a future-ready and industry-relevant workforce.
Bagchi, co-founder of Mindtree, is one of India’s most respected names in technology entrepreneurship and institution-building and is widely recognised for his role in transforming the skilling landscape in Odisha.
His appointment signals the government’s intent to bring the highest level of strategic thinking to the initiative, officials said. The Vision Group brings together distinguished leaders from industry, academia, civil society and government. This is the first time such a group has been constituted for skill development in Karnataka, joining similar Vision Groups in IT, Biotechnology, Startups and Higher Education.
The Group will advise the government on emerging priorities and gaps in the skilling ecosystem, recommend strategic interventions and provide guidance on implementation of the State Skill Policy 2025-32.
Reacting to his appointment, Bagchi said, “Humanity today is clearly at an inflection point. At a global level, everyone is wondering about the future of work itself. This is the perfect moment for Karnataka to once again create the landing ground for the future. We have done it before. We will do it again. The youth of Karnataka will write a whole new book on skill development.
“In a post on X, Bagchi wrote, “At the behest of Govt of Karnataka, honoured & delighted to be Chairman of the Vision Group on Skill Development. We will build the landing ground for the future to arrive.”
Mindtree Co-founder
Bagchi had co-founded Mindtree in 1999 as Chief Operating Officer, later serving as Chairman before stepping down in 2016. He was appointed Chairman of the Odisha Skill Development Authority on May 1, 2016, by then Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in the rank and status of a Cabinet Minister on a token salary of Re 1 per month. He also served as chief spokesperson for the Odisha government during the early COVID-19 response.
Philanthropic Contributions
Bagchi and his wife, Susmita Bagchi, are also known for their significant philanthropic contributions, including Rs 340 crore for the Bagchi Sri Shankara Cancer Centre and Research Institute in Bhubaneswar, Rs 212.5 crore for an 800-bed multi-speciality hospital at IISc Bengaluru, and Rs 55 crore for the Bagchi School of Public Health at Ahmedabad University.
