India’s Human-Centric Tech Revolution Not Only Had Economic Effect But Also Left Deep Social Impact: PM Narendra Modi

During its G20 presidency, India has been at the forefront of calling for global cooperation over tech-related issues, be it cryptocurrency or cyber terrorism, PM Modi said.

PM Modi said that the homegrown UPI has caught the attention of other countries as well.

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As India is set to host the G20 Summit over the coming weekend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the country’s technological prowess, explaining how “India’s tech revolution has not only had an economic impact but also a deep social impact.” PM Modi highlighted the effects of several tech projects and schemes, including Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) and Jan Dhan - Aadhaar - Mobile (JAM). 

“For a long time, India was globally known for its tech talent. Today, it is known for both its tech talent and tech prowess, especially in digital public infrastructure,” the prime minister said in an interview with Moneycontrol. “A number of initiatives and platforms that took off over the last 9 years are having a multiplier effect on the economy. However, India’s tech revolution has not only had an economic impact but also a deep social impact.”

When it comes to the application of technology, the Centre prefers a “human-centric model” said PM Modi, which helps empower individuals, bridge gaps, and extend the benefits of growth and welfare to even the farthest reaches.

Speaking on the JAM trinity, PM Modi said, “Today, due to the Jan Dhan – Aadhaar – Mobile Trinity, even the poorest and the most vulnerable are feeling empowered because no one can snatch their rights away. The way technology helped us reach crores of people during the pandemic with assistance will always be remembered.”

During its G20 presidency, India has been at the forefront of calling for global cooperation over tech-related issues, be it cryptocurrency or cyber terrorism. As per PM Modi, this is primarily “because we are a nation that has a deep experience in innovation and adoption of technology in the public domain.”

The prime minister harked back to the pandemic months, when the COWIN platform “helped us take over 200 crore vaccine doses to the people, free of cost. We also made the platform open-source for the world to use.”

Calling ONDC a “futuristic initiative,” PM Modi said that it promises to reshape the technological landscape by fostering equity across digital platforms for diverse stakeholders. Similarly, drones have played a role in granting property rights to individuals through the SWAMITVA scheme, the prime minister said, adding that India's burgeoning unicorn ecosystem, with over a century of such companies, is another remarkable achievement with global implications. 

The prime minister added that the homegrown Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has caught the attention of other countries as well. “Today, when foreign delegates visit India, they are amazed to see street vendors asking customers to pay through a QR code through UPI,” PM Modi said. “No wonder, India accounted for almost half of the real-time digital transactions that happened in the world! Even other countries are keen on associating with the UPI, so much so that Indians find themselves having the option of paying through UPI even outside India.”

The G20 Summit will be held in New Delhi on September 9 and September 10.