The Techwari 2.0 : Reimagining the Secretariat as a Civic Innovation Hub
Mantralay, the headquarters of Government of Maharashtra, in Mumbai , transformed into something far beyond a government office for five days, between 4th and 8th May 2026. Tech Wari 2.0 became a living experiment in learning, collaboration and human connection where technology met governance, wellness met administration and culture walked hand in hand with innovation.
In government, we often speak about systems, policies and processes. But Tech Wari 2.0 reminded everyone that governance is ultimately about people, their minds, their values, their health, their creativity and their willingness to adapt to a changing world.
Inspired by the spirit of the Maharashtrian Wari ,where thousands walk together towards Pandharpur, with devotion, discipline and purpose, Tech Wari carried the same spirit into governance and this “learning week” became a modern-day yatra of ideas.
What made Tech Wari 2.0 special was its balance. This was not merely a conference on Artificial Intelligence or digital governance. It was designed as a holistic learning movement. Sessions ranged from cybersecurity, quantum computing and India Stack to yoga, stress management, parenting and ethics in governance.
Tech Wari 2.0 had sessions in one hall where officers discussed the future of digital public infrastructure and AI-powered governance. In another hall, participants learnt about mental wellness, healthy living and emotional balance. Tech Wari 2.0 also had demonstrations showcasing innovation, healthy food and nutrition, while cultural performances filled Trimurti Prangan with rhythm and energy.
A future-ready administration cannot be built by technology alone. It must also nurture empathy, wellness, ethics and creativity. What made Tech Wari truly remarkable was its scale and inclusiveness. Over 6,000 employees participated physically at Mantralaya while lakhs joined through live streaming across districts. The idea was simple yet powerful , no employee should be left behind in the learning journey.
One of the most memorable moments was the inaugural rhythmic performance Taalrang by Nilesh Parab and his team. What appeared to be a musical presentation soon evolved into a metaphor for governance itself.
Every instrument had a role. Every beat depended on coordination. Every pause mattered as much as every sound.
As officers, staff and dignitaries watched the synchronised performance, the message became clear , administration too is like an orchestra. Good governance is impossible without harmony and coordination between departments, officers, institutions and citizens.
The participation of senior leadership, including the Hon’ble Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister and the Chief Secretary reinforced the idea that learning and adaptation are responsibilities shared across every level of governance.
The week brought together technology leaders, administrators, wellness experts, artists and trainers. Sessions on AI, cybersecurity, DPDP Act 2023, quantum computing and digital governance reflected how rapidly the administrative landscape is evolving. Discussions on ethics, leadership, handling criticism and stress management added meaning to it.
Today administrators are expected not only to manage files and policies, but also to navigate public expectations, digital transformation and emotional pressures. Tech Wari acknowledged this reality with honesty and sensitivity.
The presence of experts from institutions like Capacity Building Commission, YASHADA, The Yoga Institute, Manashakti, NASSCOM and technology leaders added immense depth to the initiative.
Perhaps the most beautiful aspect of Tech Wari 2.0 was that it never lost touch with Maharashtra’s cultural soul.
From Naadrang and Yogarang to Kalarang and the final depiction of Wari culture, every evening carried a reminder that progress does not mean abandoning tradition.
The conversations around Art, AI and Governance beautifully captured this balance. Artists, filmmakers and creative minds explored how technology can coexist with imagination and cultural identity.
In a time when discussions on technology often feel cold and mechanical, Tech Wari gave innovation a human face.
Tech Wari 2.0 was not just a schedule of sessions. It was an atmosphere where officers paused to learn. Where technology was discussed without fear. Where wellness was treated as essential, not optional. Where culture was celebrated within the seat of governance itself.
For a few days, Mantralaya became more than an administrative building. It became a campus of curiosity.
This initiative was a reflection of a much larger transformation journey through the Maha-Sadhana Saptah, where nine lakh employees completed structured learning on the iGOT Karmayogi platform, collectively recording an extraordinary 35 lakh learning hours in just one week.
These are not merely statistics but reflect a government and it's leadership is consciously investing in its people.
Tech Wari also highlighted several administrative reforms and human resource initiatives:
• MAHA eHRMS, Maharashtra’s first unified HR platform
• Compassionate appointment reforms
• Bite-sized digital learning initiatives like “Small Bite, Big Leap”
• Sevakarm and governance reform programmes
• Recruitment and service rule reforms for a faster and more transparent administration
Perhaps the greatest success of Tech Wari 2.0,is that it reminded us that learning never ends, especially in public service. Governance in the future will not belong merely to those who hold authority but to those willing to learn, adapt, collaborate and stay rooted in human values.
"तुझे नाव ओठी, तुझे रूप ध्यानी
जिवाला तुझी आस गा लागली
जरी बाप साऱ्या जगाचा परि तू
आम्हा लेकरांची विठू माऊली...
माऊली माऊली, माऊली माऊली
माऊली माऊली, रूप तुझे..."
At it's heart this is the sentiment which transforms leadership from a position of power into a presence with empathy. While "the Father" represents the structural authority, rules, and objective justice required to govern, "Mauli" represents the empathy and approachability that give administration its soul. True excellence in service occurs when an administrator transcends their title to become a compassionate guardian, proving that the most effective governance isn't delivered through distant commands, but through a nurturing commitment to the well-being of every citizen.
Tech Wari 2.0 mentored by Additional Chief Secretary, GAD, Ms.V.Radha,IAS echoed this thought that Maharashtra is ready for the future and that administration can learn, evolve and innovate while still remaining connected to culture and compassion.
R.Vimala, IAS,
Resident Commissioner, & Secretary, Government of Maharashtra &
Phd Scholar at IIT Bombay
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