Bangalore, Oct 19 (IANS): The Indian knowledge industry should integrate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and nano technology for achieving material convergence using silicon electronics and photonics, former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam said Tuesday.

"When ICT and nano technology meet, integrated silicon electronics and photonics are born to achieve material convergence. Just as IT and communications converged, IT and bio-technology lead to bio-informatics," Kalam said inaugurating the country's premier ICT event 'BangaloreIT.biz 2011' trade expo here.

By linking material convergence and bio-technology, Kalam said intelligent bio-science could be developed to ensure a disease free and smart human habitat with longevity and high capabilities.

"Nano needles, which can pierce and deliver content into targeted cells are shaping bio-sciences," he noted.

"Convergence of bio-nano-info technologies can lead to the development of nano robots, which can be injected into a patient to diagnose and deliver treatment in the affected area," Kalam told about 500 delegates participating in the three-day IT expo-cum-conference.

Calling upon the resilient Indian IT industry to broaden its vision for emerging as a knowledge system powerhouse instead of software powerhouse, he said to achieve global operations, the Indian IT sector should introduce virtual platforms for development of knowledge products based on national experience in engineering design of multiple systems.

With 'India Innovates' as its theme, the three-day trade expo-cum-conference provides a platform to foster an eco-system for innovation and position Bangalore as the R&D gateway of India.

As the country's innovation hub, Bangalore emerged as the premier destination for a large number of global R&D centres, multinationals and Indian IT bellwethers like Infosys and Wipro among others.

As a networking platform for IT, IT-enabled services, hardware and semiconductor sectors, the 14th edition of the mega event is showcasing innovators of products, technologies, services and delivery.

Cautioning the burgeoning IT industry to be wary of complacency in light of "rigorous turmoil" in the key western markets, union IT Secretary R. Chandrashekhar told the delegates that recessionary trends and anti-outsourcing sentiment in the US, which accounts for 60 percent of IT exports was cause for concern.

"Europe, which contributes about 30 percent to IT exports, is in the throes of economic crisis due to sovereign debt and structural issues. With 90 percent of the export markets going through such rigorous turmoil, we cannot afford to be complacent," Chandrashekhar said.

The secretary also revealed that withdrawal of tax incentives under the Software Technology Park of India (STPI) scheme led to decline in the setting up of new IT firms and start-ups across the country as small and medium enterprises were worried about their business prospects without sops.

Noting that innovative IT players had been instrumental in placing Bangalore on the world IT map, Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda said the robust growth of the Indian IT industry was led by Karnataka, contributing about 30 percent of the country's exports over the years.

Exports by Software firms and back office operations (business process outsourcing) firms from across the state, primarily from Bangalore, contributed Rs.90,000 crore in value during last fiscal (2010-11).

Of the 2.5 million working in the hi-tech sector, about 800,000 are employed in Bangalore alone.

"The state will soon come out with a policy on animation and gaming to give a boost to this promising sector, having prospects of reaching Rs.10,000 crore in next fiscal (2012-13) and strengthening the IT prowess of the state," Gowda said.

About 50 start-ups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are displaying their products and technologies in a special pavilion along with about 130 exhibitors across the sectors.

With Bihar as the partner state, about 10 states, including Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, Orissa, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal will participate in the expo.

About 1,000 delegates from across the country and overseas are expected to attend the event.