The government of India, under the PM of Shri Narendra Modi, has
launched the plan for digitalising the nation. This sounds pretty fascinating
for all those in urban and data companies, but is this an essential move by the
developing nation?
There are two
sides to be considered for any given situation, Pros and Cons. The nation feels that the knowledge would be access
able to everyone in the nation via the digitalisation. I'm sure more than 50%
of the people in urban areas would have an access to the Internet facility. I'm
pretty sure that the scheme such as Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan has more
potential to enhance the knowledge in India. If this scheme couldn't satisfy
the needs for knowledge amongst the poor section, I bet the digitalisation
can't.
To access Internet one might need to have digital gadget. These
gadgets are not feasible to poor section of India. The digitalisation will be useful
for only those who are rich enough to own the digital gadgets and the data
companies which provide the data connectivity.
This digitalisation will not solve the problem. If the government
feel that the knowledge should be accessible to everyone, then it would be
better to deploy Libraries. This should be easily accessible; moreover the
digital library would enhance the knowledge. By this way even the poorest
section of the Nation could get access to the knowledge.
When we are in nation where we can’t get access to water in remote
areas; what is the use of accessing the data in your mobile phone, provided we
are rich enough to own the mobile. Well the mobile data would show you the
water access point somewhere in other village. To implement the access of water
in remote areas would cost far cheaper than that of implementing a digital data;
and it is more essential too.
I don’t say digitalisation is not good. I don't say its not necessary. But I just ask you to consider
the state of poor section in India, is this accessible by those people. Well government
library could be a better solution with enhanced digital connectivity.
