The Prime Minister said Digital India revolution is a big success. “Digital India is not just a name but a vision. A vision to take technology to the masses and it is based on four pillars,” Modi said during the inaugural of India Mobile Congress.
As per the Prime Minister, Digital India has been successful due to a combination of factors including low device cost, proliferation of digital connectivity, low cost of data and finally the digital first thinking of the masses.
He said to reduce the cost of smartphones or devices, the government gave incentives to companies to manufacture in the country. Highlighting that in 2014, around 100% mobile phones were imported and there were just 2 units, which were making mobile phones. Now the number has grown to 200 due to the various initiatives of the government.
Another priority of the government was to promote digital connectivity through policy support to 4G. Due to uptake of 4G, broadband users in India have increased to 80 crore now from just 6 crore in 2014. Similarly, the internet users have increased to 85 crore from 25 crore in 2014.
The Prime Minister said the growth rate of internet is faster in rural areas as compared to urban regions. Furthermore, the cost of data has been brought down. “We removed obstacles in the telecom sector. How we gave policy support to 4G proliferation which led the data cost to come down,” the Prime Minister said.
He added that due to the multiplier effect of all these, there is a rise of digital thinking among the masses. “Even the poorest person of India wants to adopt the newest technologies. The thinking of digital first has helped a lot during the covid pandemic,” Modi said.
Due to the global first thinking, India was able to transfer thousands of crores of rupees just with one click. When the whole world was shut, students in India were taking online classes, doctors were attending to patients and others were working from home.
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