Tech industry has shown resilience during Covid and is ready to leap ahead: PM Modi

Amidst a global lockdown, owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, India’s tech industry has shown resilience, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “The pandemic was a bend in the path, not the end. The amount of tech adaption that would not have happened in the decade happened in just a few months,” he said at the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2020.

At the peak of Covid-19 lockdown, it was the technology that ensured India’s poor received quick and proper assistance, said PM Modi. “The scale of this relief has few parallels. If India is successfully operating the world’s largest healthcare scheme, it is due to a big role of technology,” he added. India as a country is uniquely positioned to leap ahead in the information era with the availability of the best minds and the biggest markets, said PM Modi. “Can we make a conscious effort to take our product level and innovation to the next level? A framework level mindset has the potential to build an ecosystem of multiple successful products,” he added.

 Technology is setting the pace for the defence sector to evolve. PM Modi said, «Earlier wars was determined by who had better elephants and horses. Then came the era of firepower. Now, technology is playing a very important role in global conflicts. From software to drones to UAVs, technology is redefining the defence sector.» 

 India’s fintech industry is doing very well and millions of people are doing transactions without any fear because of people›s trust, which is to be preserved and made stronger, said the Prime Minister.

 “A sound data governance framework is also our priority,” he said.

India has a clear advantage when it comes to innovation because of the talent of the Indian youth and their zeal to innovate, added PM Modi. 

 “The potential of our youth and the possibilities of technology are endless. It is time we give our best and leverage them,” he said.

The Prime Minister informed that the number of internet connections in India has recently crossed 750 million milestone and half of that number have joined in the last four years only.

India›s governance model is technology-first. The Indian government is providing support to the country›s vibrant startup community, whose skill and success are now world-famous, said PM Modi. ‹Work from anywhere› has become the norm and is going to stay. «We›ll see a high amount of tech adaption in education, health, shopping and more,» he added.

 PM Modi said that the Central government has used the power of data analytics to ensure better service delivery and efficiency. 

Using technology on such a large scale has brought about several life-changes for the citizens. «The benefits are for everyone to see. Our government has successfully created a market for digital and tech solutions. It has made technology a key part of all the schemes,» he said. PM Modi added, «Today, we›re able to provide electricity to almost all households and technology has played a key role in it.» When it comes to technology, the way ahead lies in learning and growing together. Inspired by that approach, several incubation centres are opening in India, he added.