Has Technology Become India's Greatest Equaliser?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Technology empowers citizens across socio-economic classes.
- Innovative initiatives like UPI and India Stack foster inclusivity.
- Direct Benefit Transfer reduces corruption and leakages in government schemes.
- Solar energy projects exemplify sustainable development.
- Digital identity through Aadhaar simplifies access to services.
New Delhi, Sep 19 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized on Friday that technology has emerged as India's greatest equalizer, enabling everyone from street vendors to corporate leaders to thrive.
"Through pioneering initiatives like India Stack, UPI, JAM trinity, and CoWIN, we have witnessed how innovation and inclusivity have transformed lives, enhanced governance, and bolstered India’s stature on the global platform," PM Modi remarked.
Modi's comments came in response to a post on X by Minister of Electronics & IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, which highlighted how previously, obtaining a government document involved cumbersome processes, long waits, and arbitrary fees, whereas now it can be accessed directly via mobile devices due to the technological revolution driven by PM Modi’s administration.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made technology the ultimate equalizer in India. A street vendor in Mumbai can utilize the same UPI payment platform as a high-ranking corporate official. In his vision, technology transcends hierarchies.
"This transformation embodies his fundamental philosophy of antyodaya — reaching out to the last individual in the line. Every digital initiative strives to democratize technology for all. What began as pilot projects in Gujarat laid the groundwork for India’s digital revolution,” Vaishnaw articulated.
The article notes that during his tenure as Chief Minister, PM Modi revolutionized Gujarat through technology and innovation. The Jyotigram initiative, introduced in 2003, utilized feeder separation technology to provide 24x7 power to rural industries and managed groundwater depletion through scheduled farm electricity.
He also initiated the installation of solar panels along the Narmada canal in 2012, generating 16 million units annually, sufficient for 16,000 households, while simultaneously reducing water evaporation rates.
This dual-benefit strategy exemplifies PM Modi’s vision for technology. A single intervention addressed multiple challenges, generating clean energy while conserving water, demonstrating significant efficiency and impact beyond isolated solutions.
The global adoption of these innovations by nations such as the US and Spain further validates their effectiveness.
The article additionally mentions the e-Dhara system, which digitized land records within the state. SWAGAT allowed citizens to video conference with the Chief Minister, and online tenders have significantly mitigated corruption.
Vaishnaw points out that in 2014, PM Modi brought the insights and experiences of Gujarat to Delhi, albeit on a larger scale.
Under his leadership, India Stack, which is considered the world’s most inclusive digital public infrastructure, began to take form, underpinned by the JAM trinity.
Jan Dhan accounts have integrated over 53 crore individuals into the banking system, bringing previously financially excluded segments into the formal economy for the first time.
Street vendors, daily wage earners, and rural families who relied solely on cash now possess bank accounts, enabling secure savings, direct receipt of government benefits, and access to credit.
Aadhaar has provided citizens with a digital identity, with 142 crore registrations to date, simplifying access to government services that previously required extensive document verification.
Direct Benefit Transfer has eradicated middlemen and minimized leakages, with savings from its implementation exceeding Rs 4.3 lakh crore. These savings are being reinvested into building additional schools, hospitals, and infrastructure projects.