Gandhinagar, 7 February 2014

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today called for realizing the dream of a ‘Digital India’. He said it is time for widespread application of the Information and Digital Technology for the empowerment of people at an affordable cost.

Addressing the valedictory function of National Digital Summit held under the aegis of Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) in New Delhi through videoconferencing from Gandhinagar, he said it is also time for enhancing research and development in new technology to ensure they did not create obstacle in law-and-order or in policy decisions.

Expressing serious concern at the growing adverse impact of imported electronic goods and products on the Indian economy, he said that India’s Current Account Deficit (CAD) has reached at an alarming stage. He exhorted digital savvy Indian youth to take up the challenge to make India digitally strong and make India an exporter of electronic goods.

There is need to encompass the entire India under digital technology, as a large number of small and medium sized towns and the North-East region still remained uncovered.

There is need for the Central and State Governments to jointly create corpus fund with IT companies for research.

Mr. Modi pointed out that Indian companies, already ahead in software technology, should develop innovative transparent delivery system – in redressing grievances, good governance, and transparent administration for the welfare of the people in a democratic setup – as has been successfully implemented in Gujarat. The future of India will be decided by the extent of optical fiber and wi-fi network. He unfolded his vision thus:

– Join the nation with high speed digital highway;

– Exhort 12-crore people connected with Internet to take the lead;

– Empower the people with knowledge;

– Free achievements of information from all obstacles;

– Make governance transparent;

– Apply technology to bring citizens and government closer, free from corruption;

– Extend public utilities to the people through affordable mobile system;

– Apply social media as a proactive link between government and citizens;

– Take educational and health services to the last mile through digital technology;

– Join farmers with global commodities price recovery system through real-time

information network;

– Extend mobile-based emergency security system for the safety of individuals;

– Make defence and cyber security inseparable;

– Extending further financial services and e-banking through mobiles;

– Encourage entrepreneurs for greater use of e-commerce;

– Ensure the world converges on India for new ideas, and

– Convert every Indian citizen into Netizen.