This year's theme- Innovation led inclusive growth examines the challenge of transforming scientific innovation into commercial success. Over the next two days, a total of 12 sessions will be held for intense and unbiased discussions including plenary sessions. More than 65 speakers will be present at various sessions where the approach will be to introduce as many new facets of the industry like infrastructure, innovation and technology.

Welcoming the dignitaries and delegates present on the occasion, Mr. Suresh Kalmadi, MP and Chairman, Pune Vyaspeeth said, "We've received tremendous response to Hi - Tech Pune so far and are pleased to give Gaming and Animation a platform at this seminar. Due to the IT, BT and Gaming Industry, nearly two hundred thousand new jobs are being generated in the city. Pune is fast becoming the global destination for investments which has lead to its fast paced growth."

At the event the Life Time Achievement Awards were presented by Jyotiraditya M. Scindia to Padma Vibhushan Shri.N.R.Narayana Murthy, Chairman and Chief Mentor, Infosys Technologies Ltd and Padma Bhushan Dr.K.I.Varaprasad Reddy, Managing Director, Shantha Biotechnics Pvt. Ltd. for their outstanding contributions to the IT & BT Industry and the society at large.

Speaking on the occasion Jyotiraditya M. Scindia said, "This city is the cradle of innovation and I am very pleased to be a part of 5th Hi- Tech IT & BT conference where both IT and BT sectors have come together to accelerate and enable Pune's growth in a balanced manner."

Mr. William A. Haseltine, PhD, Global Health and President, Haseltine Foundation for Medical Sciences and The Arts, USA; Dr. Fabio Rugge, Consul General of Italy in Mumbai and Ms. Vicki Treadell, British Deputy High Commissioner in Mumbai were the Guests of Honour for the conference.

The conference is an initiative by Pune Vyaspeeth and is Co- Hosted by Government of Maharashtra along with partners Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), Maratha Chamber of Commerce Industries & Agriculture (MCCIA), Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and University of Pune (UoP), Magarpatta City, TCG Real Estate, Nihilent Technologies Pvt. Ltd, Dassault System, Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010, Bhartiya Vidyapeeth, DLF, CDDC, Panchshil, Suma Soft, Air India, IBM, Microsoft, nVIDIA, Indira Group of Institutes, Paranjape Scheme, Goel Ganga Group, Pinach, Praj Industries and Ubics Software.