Vijayawada: HCL Technologies, the third largest IT company in India, today performed the Bhumi Puja for its new Global IT Development center at Gannavaram. Spread over 29.86 acres, the new center is envisaged as part of the state’s drive to create a new IT hub. The Government of Andhra Pradesh signed a MoU with HCL Technology in 2017.

Mr. Nara Lokesh, Hon’ble Minister for Panchayati Raj, Rural Development, Information Technology & Communications, Government of Andhra Pradesh, laid the foundation stone in the presence of Ms. Roshni Nadar Malhotra, Executive Director & CEO, HCL Corporation, Director, HCL Technologies, Trustee, Shiv Nadar Foundation, Founder & Trustee, The Habitats Trust and Shikhar Malhotra, Vice Chairman, HCL Healthcare amongst several other key leaders.

HCL plans to service its global customers especially in the Hi-tech industry. Through its “come back home” campaign, HCL plans to attract talent who belong to Vijayawada and provide them with exciting careers in the areas of application and product development including new technologies on demand. The company will be investing in creating a training center for fresher engineer graduates from local colleges.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Roshni Nadar Malhotra, Executive Director & CEO, HCL Corporation, Director, HCL Technologies, Trustee, Shiv Nadar Foundation, Founder & Trustee, The Habitats Trust said, “HCL Technologies is committed to bringing new opportunities and creating a better future for the people. With this in mind we have successfully expanded to emerging IT hubs like Madurai, Lucknow and Nagpur over the last couple of years with a great degree of success. Setting up a Global IT and Training Center in Vijayawada is one of the biggest initiatives. At HCL, we identify the strongest capabilities in our workforce to ensure the best result to our clients. The creation of this Global Centre is aligned with our strategic vision to expand and create opportunities in the emerging cities. We are confident that HCL Global Centre in Vijayawada will be one of the best IT Centers in the industry in the coming years.”

“I thank the Government of Andhra Pradesh for their support in setting up this facility in Vijayawada. We are upbeat that HCL’s growing presence in the state will create more employment opportunities for the youth,” she added.

Mr. Nara Lokesh, Honourable Minister for Panchayat Raj, Rural Development, Information Technology & Communications, Government of Andhra Pradesh, said, ““I congratulate and thank HCL Technologies for keeping the commitment to invest in Andhra, and service global clients. Through this effort I believe that HCL will also be able to leverage the quality talent available in the state. The Government of Andhra Pradesh will provide all the required support to HCL for them to quickly set up their campus and grow it into one of their largest delivery centres across the globe””

In accordance with the MoU with the Andhra Pradesh government, HCL will develop two facilities with an investment of over Rs 700 crores – Campus in Vijayawada and Amravati in phases over the next few years. A skill development center with a 1,000-seat capacity will also be developed as part of the MoU. This is an initiative to bridge the employability divide between the metros and urban cities, it will also provide an eclectic range of employment opportunities to the youth in the region that will ultimately enhance the quality of life.