Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the aspiring 'Digital India' project, pitching the country as the world destination for the next big idea. The project aims to create a digitally empowered society and knowledge community.
Inaugurating the 'Digital India' week in New Delhi in the presence of senior ministerial colleagues, industry chiefs and CEOs of several global companies, Modi said, “We have to move from E-governance to M-governance. M-governance does not mean Modi governance. It means Mobile governance.”
'Digital India' is a series of policy initiatives under the Department of Electronics and Information Technology, under the Ministry of Communications Technology. However, the initiative will be overseen by a Monitoring Committee headed by none other than the Prime Minister himself. Highlighting the country’s potential in IT sector, he called upon the youth to innovate and go for 'Design in India' and promised government support to start-ups saying India had the potential to become the second country after the US in this space.
When posed with questions regarding cyber safety, he said India should come up with solutions to meet the challenge posed by this threat of 'bloodless war'. “Clouds of a bloodless war are hovering over the world. The world is terrified by this… India has a big role to play in this. Can India play this big role? India has talent. Can India provide a shield to the world by providing innovative and credible solutions? Why should we not have such a confidence? We should accept this challenge to ensure that the entire humanity lives in peace.”
Modi too, has a dream
“I dream of a Digital India where high-speed digital highways unite the nation....I dream of a Digital India where 1.2 billion connected Indians drive innovation...I dream of a Digital India where government is open and governance is transparent...I dream of a Digital India where technology ensures government is incorruptible...I dream of a Digital India where rural economy has access to e-healthcare...I dream of a Digital India where world looks to India for the next big idea.”
DI aimed to change our lives: Arun Jaitley
Our financial inclusion programme is the largest in the world. In less than five months, we have opened 160 million 'Jan Dhan' accounts. The direct benefit transfer scheme has been extended to 130 million people in a few months. As many as 110 million new insurance policies were issued in less than five weeks...that's how technology has been used. Through Digital India, we want to change our lives and way of governance.”
Reliance to invest in digital space: Mukesh Ambani
“Normally Industry moves faster than government but with Digital India, I have no hesitation in saying, the government has moved faster. We at Reliance will invest 250 crores across the Digital India pillars. I believe Digital India will be a huge success. It empowers the youth to fulfil their aspirations. It is my conviction, Prime Minister, under your leadership, the Digital India initiative will create a partnership among all sections of society... a partnership that will leverage the power of 1.2 billion Indians. A partnership built on the ability and industry of all our citizens ”
