Jan Dhan accounts were linked to mobile numbers, which then used Aadhaar to enable ‘Direct Benefit Transfer’ and
the marginalised in society.
‘Antyodaya’ was becoming a reality, and this was just the beginning. Ayushman Bharat, Mudra Yojana, Kisan Samman Nidhi to PM Fasal Bima Yojana — digital technology delivered trust and transparency while governance ensured last-mile delivery.
Today Aatmanirbhar Bharat, in its ‘Amrit Kaal’, has ushered in a new era of opportunities for progress and prosperity for India@100.
“Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas”, these eight words formed the guiding principles of governance during these eight years and led to adoption of digital governance at unprecedented scale and speed.
India has learnt to move on using digital technology, from long ATM queues to QR code scans for payments; from highway toll stoppages to Fastags; from pricey data plans to unlimited bingewatching on OTT and unlimited video calls; from despair and policy paralysis of the 2G era to cutting edge, indigenous 4G and 5G technologies; from two mobile manufacturing units to the world’s second-largest mobile manufacturing hub.
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Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, India has moved on, not only for its own good but also for the global good, with the “India Model” of governance.
The whole-of-government approach is now the foundation of India’s techade. India’s UPI platform is a perfect example. UPI’s transaction value since August 2021 has already touched the required pace to achieve $1 trillion
annually which is more than the GDP of many countries.
Geospatial mapping now helps better plan and implement infrastructure projects under PM GatiShakti. Initiatives like “GatiShakti Sanchar Portal” will ensure collaboration between all stakeholders to facilitate Right of Way
(RoW) application process through a single interface.
The country is now at the cusp of the past 75 years of Independent India and the next 25 years for India@100. India today is the second largest internet user market with more than 788 million broadband subscribers. India is one of the largest consumers of data per capita, with one of the cheapest data plans in the world.
Aatmanirbhar digital infrastructure and technology stack is being given impetus. Telecom technology was always imported, but India has successfully tested indigenous 4G and 5G calls. 5G testbeds have been developed for testing technology and innovation.
BharatNet is taking fibre to almost one lakh rural households every month. Our 5Gi technology, aimed at ‘connecting the unconnected’, will for the first time see a merger with the 3GPP 5G global standards.
The telecom sector has recently seen one set of reforms and a second set of reforms is in the offing. PLI schemes are piloting Aatmanirbhar Bharat, from $75 billion in electronics manufacturing to $300 billion in industry, including exports. A $10 billion scheme incentivising the development of a trusted semiconductor ecosystem is showing good progress.
The third largest startup ecosystem globally is a testimony to India’s talent. All attempts are being made to ensure a market-ready talent pool in consultation with the industry. Academia, industry and government are all partnering to prepare a strong talent pipeline of specialised 85,000 engineers for semiconductors.
With all the above as the premise for India@100, it is not a distant dream that the technology around us will be made in India when we complete 100 years of Independence. India will be a dominant and trusted partner in the global supply chain. With no digital divide, no Indian will be left behind, realising the vision of Antyodaya.
PM Modi’s vision of tech-led empowerment has transformed the life of every Indian. His experience of the ‘Gujarat Model’ helped our nation lead and shape our future. With the ‘India Model’ of governance in practice, the world is already looking at us with hope.
(The author is Union Minister for Railways, Communications, Electronics & Information Technology)
