Ten ways India could become an superpower in information technology
In my opinion, the following 10 items should get priority in helping India realise its aspirations to become an infotech super power:
Change in mindset
We need to change our mindset to
start thinking globally and begin benchmarking
ourselves internationally. In future only the best
will survive and there may not be any place for the
second best. Consequently, we must endeavour to achieve
excellence by benchmarking ourselves in different
spheres with the best practices and benchmarks
available globally.
Connectivity
One of the important parameters,
which will signify power in the digital age, will be
bandwidth per capita. Unless, we are able to provide
high-speed digital communication facilities within the
country it will not be possible for us to compete
internationally. It is extremely important therefore,
that India quickly develops a high-speed fibre optic
backbone and addresses the need to connect remote
areas and villages through terrestrial/satellite
links. In order to establish networks across the
country, it is necessary that a thorough and
comprehensive de-regulation of the telecom sector is
carried out.
Education
Knowledge will provide the ultimate
competitive edge in the 21st century. There is a need
therefore to focus great attention on both the quality
and spread of education in our country. If we look at
a country like Ireland, 60 per cent of graduates belong to the
science and technology disciplines. This figure is
only 29.3 per cent in the case of a state like Andhra Pradesh.
We need to therefore make a quantum jump in terms of
the number of science and technology students
graduating in the country. Further the quality of
education needs to be systematically addressed.
The pedagogy has to change in order to develop attitudes,
values and skills in addition to knowledge for
succeeding in the Information Age. The course
curriculum has to be in sync with technological
developments taking place elsewhere in the world. We
must ensure that the quality of education imparted to
students in the country is world class.
Affordability of PCs
In order to prevent the rise
of 'information haves' and 'information have nots',
the government will have to lay great emphasis on making
PCs/information access devices affordable to the
common man.
Cyber laws
It is important that the entire legal
framework existing in the country is given a complete
overhaul keeping in view the requirements of the
digital age.
IT architecture
For achieving a high level of IT
usage throughout the country, it is necessary to
ensure sharing of information and data across various
administrative boundaries in the country. It is
necessary that the Government of India define an IT
architecture at a Pan Indian level in this context.
Smart government
It is necessary to have a
comprehensive look at the existing processes and
procedures in government. In future for the country to
succeed it will be necessary for the government to provide
an environment which allows businesses to proceed in
the fastest possible manner from garage to market. It
is necessary therefore that we reorient government by
making it Simple, Moral, Accountable, Responsive and
Transparent.
Development of regional content
At present English
is the language of the Internet. It is necessary that
concerted efforts are made to develop local content in
digital form. Unless this is done, it will be
difficult to achieve an all-pervasive use of
Information Technology in the country.
Development of the India brand
It is necessary for
India to develop its brand image as a reliable
supplier of high quality services. This must be
achieved through consistent emphasis on high
quality benchmarked globally.
Venture Capital
In order to encourage the growth
of entrepreneurship in the country, it is necessary to
give a thrust to the growth of venture capital in the
country. Unless we have a vibrant and active venture
capital sector, it will not be possible for Indian
companies to gain the competitive edge in the highly
competitive world of the 21st century
Nara Chandrababu Naidu, the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, has made his state a power to reckon with in information technology.
Tell us what do you think of this list?