E-Kranti: Transforming India into a Knowledge Economy

The internet was one of the most important innovation in 20^th century changing the way of human interaction. It has now become an important element of everyone’s life and no longer are days when people may start asking ‘Right to Internet’. However, more than 60% of the world’s population still needs to be connected through internet.

Now, almost no business is left without using internet. Governments are becoming dependent on internet in many regards for example, tax filing, ticket booking etc.  In coming future, the traditional method of governance will change and technology will play a major role in governance.

India is a home to 1.22 billion people and a developing country. More than 30% of population lives under poverty line, people don’t have access to basic amenities, low rate of industrial development, human right abuses, etc. – despite these serious problems the country is progressing at a constant speed and after the US and China, India is the only country which has capability to become a superpower. The new missions launched by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi especially Digital India (DI) and Make in India – have been crafted to ensure a large creation of job and an accountable governance. Government of India has launched the DI Program in 2014 with the vision of transforming the world’s largest democracy into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. There are 9 pillars under the DI initiative and one of the most important pillars is ‘e-Kranti’ – electronic delivery of services.

The services will include:

1. e-Education: Free broadband at panchayat level and free Wi-Fi would enable the government to provide following educational services;

2. e-Healthcare: This would cover;

3. Technology for Farmers: This would facilitate farmers to get;

4. Technology for Financial Inclusion: It would strengthen financial inclusion using;

5. Technology for Security: Mobile based security services would provide;

6. Technology For Justice: Indian justice system will be strengthen by interoperable;

The proposed initiatives under this program will create millions of job opportunities, business opportunities for startups, digitally literate citizens and many other advantages, which perhaps will change India into a knowledge economy. But realization of this dream will be a tough task for the government due to presence of problems such as lack of investments, poverty and other major problems. The next article would discuss about the problems facing India in executing this initiative and a constructive criticism will be presented.

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