In India’s transformation story, not only the government played an important role but the contribution from the private sector was significant in realising the country’s growth and development at the level we see today. Bringing forward the industry perspective in light, Kumar Bachchan, Co-founder and COO, Niveshan Technologies India Private Limited addressed India Transformation Summit organized by Elets Technomedia from July 10 to July 12.
Mr Bachchan, speaking on the transformation in India, said, “Undoubtedly, ICT, IT and other technologies has been the driving force for India’s transformation making India digital.” As an industry, rapid IT growth has been seen. There was a time when the government departments were using Gmail IDs but today we have systems wherein we are using video conferencing tools, he added.
“In fact, under the smart city mission where the local data centres and integrated command and control centres are built at city level”, said Mr Bachchan. The past 3-4 years have been the best for the IT industry, he added. Today, we can see a lot of video meetings being conducted by the Prime Minister. Now the same is being replicated at state levels and the state governments are also using the tech for their meetings. This is an example of the transition from traditional to digital and defines how India’s growth has progressed, mentioned Mr Bachchan.
Adding on the use of technology, he said, “Today we see the government is using e-office, video conferencing, and other digital platforms and this is the growth that we are seeing… Today we can see that a lot of video conference meetings are being conducted by PM and CMs and now other government offices are also using such tools. The best example is Indian Railways which has implemented e-office for over 13 lakh users. It is the organisation which is not known to adopt changes that easily. But, Railways has also shifted to technology tools.”
“Our traditional system which worked in silos is slowly vanishing. Now data-driven systems wherein all the information needed is available on integrated platforms prevails. This is the need of the hour and with such systems, in place, we have improved our governance significantly”, told Mr Bachchan. Taking such initiatives and adapting to such systems helps us to become an efficient nation, he added.
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Speaking on the role of the IT industry in the development of a better India, Mr Bachchan said, “IT industry is helping India to be a transformed nation. With the boost to technology and IT in India, the companies have taken the advantage to innovate and come up with improved tech. In turn, we as an industry make sure 24×7 uninterrupted and efficient operation of the government systems and all our customers.”
Talking about the Coronavirus pandemic and how technology posed a solution to lockdown issues, Mr Bachchan stated, “When COVID hit us, even after imposing strict lockdowns, our GSTN, our government offices, corporates, municipal services, health services and other departments were operational. This was because of technology. During the time of crisis, we saw the real use of IT. We used tools for video conferencing, e-office, emergency helplines, monitoring systems, drones, COVID tracking apps, COVID war rooms, etc.” India handled the pandemic efficiently, even better than many of the developed nations, he added.
Concluding his address, Mr Bachchan said, “In the times to come emerging technologies will play a crucial role in taking the growth to another level. And, with the government’s efforts and scenario in India to accept the technologies, it seems to take it a long way ahead.”