Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government has been honoured with the prestigious Technology Sabha Excellence Award for its flagship digital governance initiative, ‘Ama Sathi’ WhatsApp chatbot, by Express Computer, a leading publication of the Indian Express Group. The award was presented on February 27, 2026, at the Technology Sabha held at Trident Hyderabad, recognising innovative use of technology in public service delivery.
The award was received by Surendra Kumar Meena, Executive Director of the Centre for Modernising Government Initiative (CMGI) under the General Administration Department, on behalf of the State government.
Instituted by Express Computer, the Technology Sabha Excellence Awards are considered among India’s most respected accolades in technology and governance. The awards celebrate initiatives that demonstrate innovation, scalability, impact, and sustainability, with winners chosen by a jury of senior government officials, industry leaders, and technology experts.
The Ama Sathi WhatsApp chatbot has emerged as a transformative platform, enabling citizens to access multiple government services and information through a single, easy-to-use interface on WhatsApp. The initiative reduces the need for multiple apps or physical visits to offices, improving transparency, accessibility, and responsiveness in public service delivery.
Speaking on the occasion, Meena said, “Ama Sathi WhatsApp chatbot is a significant step towards ensuring governance at the doorstep of every citizen of Odisha. By leveraging a platform that citizens already use in their daily lives, we are making government services more accessible, inclusive, and responsive. This initiative reflects our commitment to citizen-centric governance, where technology enables convenience, trust, and transparency.”
The recognition at the Technology Sabha underscores Odisha’s leadership in digital governance and highlights the State’s continued efforts to harness emerging technologies to strengthen citizen engagement and deliver efficient, inclusive, and future-ready public services.
