India’s ambition to become a $7 trillion digital powerhouse by 2030 has taken a major leap forward with the launch of WICxSaksham, a large-scale national skilling and innovation initiative led by Women In Cloud, in collaboration with Veeam Software and Grace Hopper Celebration India (GHCI). Announced in Bengaluru, the program aims to empower one million Indians with AI, cloud, and cybersecurity skills while activating 100 universities and inspiring 100 million citizens toward digital inclusion.
“We’re not waiting for the future — we’re building it.” — Chaitra Vedullapalli, Co-Founder, Women in Cloud
At its core, WICxSaksham is aligned with the government’s Viksit Bharat mission, which envisions India as a developed, self-reliant nation by 2047. To achieve this transformation, India must rapidly build an innovation-ready, cyber-resilient workforce — a challenge the initiative directly addresses.
Speaking at the launch, Chaitra Vedullapalli, Co-Founder and President of Women in Cloud, underlined the urgency of talent readiness. “India’s digital economy is expanding at an unprecedented pace, but the talent gap is widening just as fast. WICxSaksham is our commitment to bridge this gap through collaboration across industry, academia, and policy,” she said.
“Cyber resilience must become a national capability.” — Sandeep Bhambure, VP & MD, India & SAARC, Veeam Software
A major pillar of the initiative is the deep technology and resilience expertise brought by Veeam, the global leader in data protection. Sandeep Bhambure, Vice President & Managing Director, India & SAARC at Veeam, emphasized the need for national-scale cyber preparedness. “Ransomware threats and skill shortages pose real risks to India’s growth. Through WICxSaksham, we aim to create 25,000 job pathways, establish 100 Cyber Resilience Centers of Excellence, and deliver 100,000 certifications across AI, DevSecOps, and data protection.”
The national activation began in Bengaluru and runs till December 6, featuring leadership roundtables, university-level programs, the Main Hoon Saksham campaign targeting 100 million impressions, and the empowHERaccess awards. The initiative’s four-tier innovation partnership model allows organizations to contribute to India’s digital future while gaining visibility and measurable impact.
WICxSaksham marks one of India’s most ambitious public–private coalitions — designed not just to future-proof the workforce, but to shape the country’s position as a global AI and cyber powerhouse.
