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Empower Through ‘M’power
N. Ravi Shanker
Post 2000, India heralded into ICT vibrancy, with both policy and programmes finding ground presence in robust national IT infrastructure, National e-Governance Plan, Broadband policy, citizen service delivery platforms and many more
The IT boom has made India digitally present. The mobile boom has made India globally resonant.
Since 2000 India has taken strident steps to march ahead in the IT arena. The National e-Governance Plan, Broadband Policy, National Knowledge Network are the instruments for strengthening the infrastructure and delivering the services.
The National e-Governance Plan (NeGP), through its Common Service Centre platform aims to bridge the digital divide and facilitate access to Internet for all. Around it several digital solutions can be built so that governance can come close to the masses. Technology should touch lives and also transform lives and IT is heralding this change. Broadband is today seen as an infrastructural necessity in the genre of water supply, roads and power. Access to broadband and its utilization are seen as determinants of the national economy.
With the onset of 3G; mobile value added services are poised to play a role in our lives. The handheld instrument/electronic device would no longer be a device for voice but could transform itself into a ubiquitous device. This is the power of technology. Major telecoms that have been successful in the 3G and BWA auctions are likely to come forth with a bouquet of value added service to the 600 million strong mobile population. Mobile Internet thus opens up a plethora of opportunities. Now there needs to be a programme to broad base the digital content available on the net. This can be effectively achieved in a consortium mode with content being generated in all the 22 constitutionally recognized languages. Thus the teeming millions will have access to content in their local flavour. Technology and social movements like content development will facilitate bridging the digital divide. This augurs well for inclusive growth.
The National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) is a public-private partnership vested with the responsibility to facilitate the growth of Internet. Digital presence through domain names in .IN is marketed by NIXI. Digitally empowered citizens would now be able to have their domain names of choice and the digital world virtually is their domain.
Man is a social animal and likes to express himself. Technology is an enabler and the power of technology can be fully utilised to transform the lives of a billion Indians. Panchayats no longer need to be local area networks. The digital world gives us connectivity so that Panchayats can network with one another and learn from best practices from across the country.
India is a digital powerhouse and its strength lies in its diversity – multi-lingual in its flavour and multi-cultural in its rhythm. By unleashing the latent power of its talented youth, India can reach greater heights.
N Ravi Shanker is Joint Secretary, Department of Information Technology, Ministry of Communications & IT, India & CEO, National Internet Exchange of India.
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