Addressing the India Digital Summit via video conferencing on the afternoon of 7th February, Shri Modi shared his vision for a Digital India:
I dream of a Digital India, where
- High-speed Digital Highways unite the Nation
- Knowledge is strength – and empowers the People
- Access to Information knows no barriers
- Quality Education reaches the most inaccessible corners driven by Digital Learning
- Cyber Security becomes an integral part of our National Security
- e-Commerce drives Entrepreneurship
- The World looks to India for the next Big Idea
- The Netizen is an Empowered Citizen
Underscoring the significance of Digital Technology in the current times, Shri Modi said, “Digital technology has changed the way we view things.” Shri Modi stated that technology had enabled the common people to surge ahead, but expressed concern if the current day laws were complimenting this. He called for the need to bring dynamism in the present-day rules and regulations, while stating, “We should have a set up that is dynamic so that we can welcome the latest changes in technology.” He further added, “Current Account Deficit is a matter of concern. We all are worried but we differ in the solutions we have.”
Terming ‘technology intervention as a great way to get transparency’, Shri Modi spoke about the significant reach and impact of technology in providing good governance. He also mentioned about the lack of real time data, and the grave impact it had on present-day governance. “Real time data is a big hindrance to our development, even in this age of technology. This is unfortunate,” said Shri Modi.
Stating the vast potential of the optical fibre network, Shri Modi said that soon cities would emerge, not on the basis of water bodies or highways, but on the basis of optical fibre network. “We need to increase the optical fibre network all over India,” said Shri Modi, while also emphasizing on the need to intensify and cash in on the world of Wi-Fi connectivity. “We talk of wi-fi networks. Can we make our national capital Wi-Fi? We are working towards that for our state capital,” said Shri Modi.
Urging the decision-makers of the digital world to create more user-friendly innovations, Shri Modi said, “Digital world has not compromised in making their innovation user friendly. All companies and innovators must think about this,” said Shri Modi. He underscored the significance of using the digital technology by stating, “Convergence of technology is important. One people, one mission, one nation, this will be possible then.”
Addressing the Summit, Shri Modi spoke about the tremendous reach and impact of the One-Day governance model initiated in Gujarat, while also stressing on the need to move towards mobile governance, in the coming days.
Suggesting on the need to focus on the untapped potential of our demographic dividend, Shri Modi urged the key players of the digital world to involve the youth in the adaptation of latest technology. “Our demographic dividend is our strength. The youth have what it takes to engage with the latest technology,” said Shri Modi, while adding that e-governance initiatives should also be replicated in the North-East states of India, where the children possess excellent command over English. “I urge you to think about how to move to the smaller towns, not only the big cities,” added Shri Modi.
Speaking about the tremendous skill of the youth in India, Shri Modi said, “Our youth are skilled, and full of creativity and innovation. When we give our youth the opportunity we too can give a lot to the world.”
Shri Narendra Modi questioned the sluggishness witnessed in the manufacturing of electronic goods in India, and stated that this lagging behind had a direct effect on the financial prowess of the country. He said that the obstacles causing this must be tackled, and for this a combined effort of the innovations team, the manufacturing segment, the government and the society is the need-of-the-hour.
