Best movers score more in the digital age: PM Modi – Times of India

BENGALURU: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that in the current digital world, it is the best mover that has the advantage, not the first mover, which was a characteristic of the Industrial Age. India, he said, is uniquely positioned to move ahead in this era as the government’s Digital India mission has ceased to be another regular initiative but a way of life that has impacted people directly. He referred to the direct benefit transfer scheme, the rapid growth of online payments, and Ayushman Bharat.
“The achievements of the industrial era are in the rear-view mirror. Change then was linear, but now in the age of information, it is disruptive. Sourcing of raw material was the key challenge then as few had access to it, but now information is the raw material which is everywhere,” he said while inaugurating the 23rd edition of the Bengaluru Tech Summit.
Citing the example of the direct benefit transfer scheme, the PM said millions of farmers in India are receiving monetary support in one single click.
“Using technology on such a large scale has brought about several benefits for our citizens. Our government has successfully created a market for digital and tech solutions and it has made technology a key part of all schemes. Technology is going to be India’s future, through technology we have enhanced human dignity. If India is successfully operating the world’s largest healthcare scheme, Ayushman Bharat, it is due to the big role of technology. The scheme has specially helped the poor. Now, they no longer need to worry about access to top affordable healthcare in any part of India. We have used the power of data analytics to ensure efficiency,” he said.
The pandemic, Modi said, has shown the power of technology and how seamlessly Indians have adapted to it. While lockdown and travel restrictions have kept people away from the workplace, the resilience of the technology sector was visible which ensured uninterrupted work from home. That high amount of technology adoption is there to stay.
“Challenges bring out the best in people, perhaps it is relevant to India’s techies. When there is a demand in customers or deadlines, you would have noticed the best solution comes out,” he added.
IT & communications minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said artificial intelligence should encourage further inclusion of the education and health sector and promote India as the epicentre of a data economy.
“Atmanirbhar Bharat is not about an isolated India but the country becoming part of the global supply chain,” he said, referring to the example of Apple which has moved nine manufacturing sites from China to India recently to manufacture iPhones for India and the world.