Cognizant Inaugurates New Facility in Bhubaneswar, Odisha
Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the new facility of Cognizant, one of the world’s largest professional services companies, today. The move underscores the state’s growing reputation as a leading IT investment destination in the country.
Cognizant, a US-based multinational company with a staggering $19.4 billion in revenue, is recognized globally as a top IT services provider. With a workforce of over 350,000 professionals worldwide, the company aims to engineer modern businesses that enhance everyday life.
Addressing the gathering at the inauguration ceremony, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik hailed the entry of Cognizant as a significant milestone for the new Odisha. He emphasized the state’s emergence as a “Destination of the Future,” attributing it to factors such as growing investment scale, a talented workforce, and ambitious vision. The Chief Minister underscored Odisha’s robust ecosystem that encourages entrepreneurship, technological innovation, and the growth of new-age businesses.
#Odisha continues to take giant strides in the IT sector with the opening of many leading multi-national companies and has become one of the most sought-after IT destinations in the country. @Cognizant's brand new office at Odisha Technology Centre in #Bhubaneswar will have a… pic.twitter.com/Ymx6wrCy8r
— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) February 11, 2024
Echoing similar sentiments, Shri Tusharkanti Behera, Minister of State for Electronics & IT, Sports & Youth Services & Home, highlighted Bhubaneswar’s transformation into a global hotspot for IT, ESDM, and consulting companies under Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s leadership. He praised Odisha’s visionary policies and vibrant ecosystem, emphasizing the state’s position as a leader in the IT domain.
Manoj Kumar Mishra, Principal Secretary of the E&IT Department, Government of Odisha, emphasized that Cognizant’s decision to establish a new center in Bhubaneswar signifies not only the company’s confidence in the state’s potential but also Odisha’s remarkable progress in attracting top industries to its growing IT landscape.
Ravi Kumar S, CEO of Cognizant and the first Odia CEO of any Fortune 200 company, expressed excitement about the expansion to Tier II cities with the opening of the new center in Bhubaneswar. He lauded the entrepreneurial spirit, renowned educational institutions, strong infrastructure, and promising talent pool of Odisha. Ravi Kumar extended his appreciation for the unwavering support and unmatched responsiveness of the Government of Odisha in facilitating the establishment of the center.
The new facility of Cognizant in Bhubaneswar, spread over 52,000 square feet, is designed to accommodate 1000 associates in a hybrid work environment. It is located at the Odisha Technology Centre and is projected to expand further to accommodate over 5000 associates within two years. The facility will focus on diverse areas such as AI, ML, IoT, Digital Engineering, and robotic automation, among other advanced technologies.
The inauguration ceremony witnessed the presence of notable dignitaries, including V.K. Pandian, Chairman 5T Initiatives & Nabin Odisha, Tusharkanti Behera, Minister of State for Electronics & IT, Sports & Youth Services & Home, Manoj Mishra, Principal Secretary of the Electronics & IT Department, Ravi Kumar S, CEO of Cognizant, and Rajesh Nambiar, CMD of Cognizant India, along with senior leadership and associates of the company.
