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News18
4 days ago
- Business
- News18
Digital India: PM Modi's Giant Leap Of Faith
Last Updated: In 2013, internet penetration was limited to less than 250 million connections, and access to online government services was scarce. By 2025, this surged to over 970 million. The Digital India initiative has reshaped governance over the past decade by democratising access to technology, building robust digital infrastructure, and fostering inclusivity. It has bridged gaps between urban and rural areas, rich and poor, and set a global benchmark for digital literacy. In 2013, internet penetration was limited to less than 250 million connections, and access to online government services was scarce. By 2025, this number surged to over 970 million. Thanks to the BharatNet project, over 420,000 kilometres of Optical Fibre Cable, equivalent to 11 times the distance between Earth and the Moon, now connects even the most remote villages. The National Broadband Mission aims for universal 50 Mbps connectivity by 2025, supporting India's goal of a $5 trillion economy. Additionally, 250,000 Wi-Fi hotspots under BharatNet and affordable data plans have made India the most cost-effective internet economy, with data prices among the lowest globally. PM Modi envisioned technology as a tool to empower the marginalised and eliminate inequality. As he noted in a LinkedIn blog post recently, 'While decades were spent doubting the ability of Indians to use technology, we changed this approach and trusted the ability of Indians to use technology." Modi further writes, 'India's Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) from Aadhaar, CoWIN, DigiLocker, and FASTag to PM-WANI and One Nation One Subscription is now studied and adopted globally. CoWIN enabled the world's largest vaccination drive, issuing 2.2 billion QR-verifiable certificates. DigiLocker, with 540 million users, hosts over 7.75 billion documents securely and seamlessly." India's 5G rollout, among the fastest globally, has seen 481,000 base stations installed in just two years, ensuring high-speed internet reaches urban hubs and remote outposts like Galwan, Siachen, and Ladakh. The India Stack, a set of digital public goods including Aadhaar, UPI, DigiLocker, and DigiYatra, has been the fulcrum of this transformation. Aadhaar provides a unique digital identity, while DigiLocker has digitized document access for millions. The Unified Payments Interface (UPI), launched in 2016, has revolutionized digital payments, handling roughly 19 billion transactions every single month and accounting for 50% of the world's real-time digital payments. UPI's global impact is evident, with countries like Singapore, UAE, and France adopting similar systems and Namibia deciding to do so after Modi's recent visit to this South African nation. UPI's interoperability has empowered small vendors and street hawkers, integrating them into the formal economy. The Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, built on the JAM Trinity (Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, Mobile) and driven by the 'humanity first" approach, has set a global benchmark, facilitating the transfer of over Rs 44 lakh crore to beneficiaries across 322 schemes, thereby saving Rs 3.48 lakh crore by eliminating inefficiencies. Platforms like the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) have revolutionized public procurement. In FY 2024–25, GeM clocked Rs 1 lakh crore in gross merchandise value (GMV) within 50 days, with 2.2 million sellers, including 180,000 women-led MSMEs, fulfilling orders worth Rs 46,000 crore. The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), launched in 2022, has crossed 200 million transactions, with the last 100 million added in just six months. ONDC enables artisans from places like Varanasi, Mizoram, Odisha, and Nagaland to access nationwide markets without intermediaries. Other platforms like e-NAM connect 17.6 million farmers to over 1,000 markets, enhancing agricultural incomes. Digital tools like Kisan Suvidha provide real-time weather and market information, helping farmers make informed decisions. The AgriStack initiative, integrating land records and farmer data, further streamlines access to subsidies and loans. In education, platforms like SWAYAM and DIKSHA have delivered over 2,200 courses to 40 million students, especially in far-flung areas, thereby bridging learning gaps in small hamlets and villages, with professors from IITs and IIMs ready to impart quality education at the click of a button. In healthcare, the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) has created 780 million ABHA IDs and linked over 520 million health records, revolutionizing healthcare delivery through telemedicine. The e-Sanjeevani platform has served over 360 million patients, bringing medical consultations to underserved areas. Programs like the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDisha) have made 60 million rural households digitally literate, enabling them to access government services online. The $1.2 billion India AI Mission has provided access to 34,000 GPUs at less than $1 per GPU hour, making India the most affordable compute destination. The New Delhi Declaration on AI promotes responsible innovation, and the establishment of AI Centres of Excellence is nurturing talent. India's G20 presidency under PM Modi further amplified its global influence by launching the Global DPI Repository and a $25 million Social Impact Fund to help nations in Africa and South Asia adopt inclusive digital ecosystems. In rural areas, Common Service Centres (CSCs) have brought governance to the doorsteps of commoners. Schemes like SVAMITVA have issued over 24 million property cards and mapped 647,000 villages, ending years of land-related uncertainty. India now ranks among the top 3 Startup ecosystems in the world, with over 180,000 Startups, thanks to digitisation. This is more than a Startup movement; it is a tech revolution. Additionally, the focus on semiconductors, with projects like the Foxconn-HCL display chip unit, positions India as a reliable player in global supply chains. The Modi government's focus on inclusive AI and cybersecurity will ensure sustainable growth, while initiatives like the National Quantum Mission position India at the forefront of emerging technologies. From artisans in Uttarakhand to farmers in Madhya Pradesh, from students in Assam to mothers in Maharashtra, Digital India has touched lives in profound ways, proving that technology can be a force multiplier. In the last few years, the Modi government's push for financial inclusion has deepened with the promotion of the Account Aggregator (AA) Framework — a foundational piece of digital public infrastructure (DPI). The AA Framework empowers consumers and businesses across regions and economic segments to have greater control over their financial data. It enables them to access services such as loans, insurance, and investment advice securely and easily, with just a tap on the smartphone. Since its inception in 2022, the AA ecosystem has expanded rapidly, growing from 24 to over 750 regulated entities (REs) as of May 2025. The ecosystem comprises Financial Information Providers (FIPs), Financial Information Users (FIUs), and Account Aggregators (AAs) that act as secure intermediaries between the two. FIPs and FIUs include banks, insurers, stockbrokers, and a host of other regulated financial institutions. Numbers published by Sahamati, promoting the AA ecosystem, note that as of June 2025, over 181 million consumer accounts are linked to Account Aggregators. This means that over 181 million Indians can now access secure, regulated financial services, often within hours, not days. 'AAs have facilitated an estimated 9 per cent of all personal and consumer durable loans disbursed in FY25," says BG Mahesh, CEO of Sahamati. And the positive impact doesn't stop there. Each month, over Rs 15,000 crore in loans are disbursed through the AA ecosystem. This has transformed access to credit, enabling eligible borrowers to procure loans from trusted institutions any time, any day, through a highly secure and automated process. As of June 2025, over 248 million customer consents have been processed by FIPs. This milestone signals two major shifts: one, that banks and financial institutions can serve more customers faster and with reduced processing costs; and two, digitally savvy consumers in India are increasingly embracing consent-based, friction-free access to financial services. To summarise, the Digital India mission, thanks to Modi's incisive foresight, has transformed India from a digital backbencher to a global digital leader. As PM Modi noted, 'Digital India has not remained a mere government programme; it has become a people's movement." With its focus on innovation, digital literacy, utility, connectivity, and affordability, Digital India is paving the way for an India where technology unites and is the binding glue; an India where digitisation is not just a policy framework but a great equalizer. The CoWIN platform, developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, facilitated the world's largest, fastest, and safest vaccination drive, showcasing the power of digital infrastructure during times of crisis. PM Modi's reforms have always been citizen-centric, with no room for lethargy or red-tapism, and India's digital renaissance is no different. Modi's Digital India mission is a testament to his philosophy of 'Minimum Government, Maximum Governance," ensuring that the accompanying dividends are democratised and benefit those who need them the most. Sanju Verma is an Economist, National Spokesperson for BJP, and Bestselling Author of 'The Modi Gambit'. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views. tags : digital india Narendra Modi view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 11, 2025, 16:02 IST News opinion Opinion | Digital India: PM Modi's Giant Leap Of Faith Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
BharatNet Phase 3: Echelon Edge selected by HFCL, ITI-Terasoft, NCC to deploy NMS, OSS solutions
NEW DELHI: Homegrown IT solutions provider Echelon Edge on Wednesday said it has been selected by consortium partners HFCL , ITI-Terasoft, and NCC, to deploy a network management system (NMS) and operations support system (OSS) under the BharatNet Phase-3 programme. The Gurugram-headquartered IT company said the deployments will strengthen network control and visibility for BharatNet's middle-mile infrastructure across multiple states and union territories. BharatNet Phase-III is one of India's most significant rural connectivity programs, aimed at delivering high-speed broadband to villages and underserved areas. As part of this initiative, Echelon Edge will deploy a centralised OSS platform that will unify the management of BharatNet's extensive network infrastructure. The project spans key regions including Madhya Pradesh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh (East and West), Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and Punjab. By consolidating Element Management Systems (EMS) into a unified monitoring ecosystem, the OSS solution will provide centralised command and control, making it possible to manage the network efficiently while ensuring uninterrupted connectivity. With advanced IP/MPLS provisioning, the system will facilitate smart routing and scalable backbone communication to support the growing demand for high-speed internet. The deployment will also introduce predictive analytics for proactive network health monitoring. Through comprehensive end-to-end service assurance, the solution will ensure consistent and reliable connectivity from the transport layer to access points. In addition, the platform will provide structured governance for incidents, problems, change management, SLAs, and knowledge resources. 'With this deployment, we are bringing automation and centralized control to the core of BharatNet's middle mile while ensuring reliable services, greater transparency, and a network that's built to scale for the future,' said Gaurav Gandhi, CEO & co-founder of Echelon Edge.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Solar system installations underway in BharatNet sites in Meghalaya
Shillong: In a major thrust to rural electrification and digital connectivity, the Meghalaya New and Renewable Energy Development Agency is installing off-grid solar systems at 63 BharatNet-1 sites across the state, including government schools, ICDS centres, and community halls, officials said on Tuesday. The initiative aims to ensure uninterrupted power for BharatNet infrastructure using off-grid solar systems, enhancing internet access in remote areas while promoting clean energy , they said. BharatNet is an ambitious project of the Centre aimed at providing broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country. "This intervention is not just about electrification. It's about empowering rural communities with access to digital services, education, and clean energy," MNREDA Director Joram Beda said. Under the BharatNet project, solarisation of 22 government lower primary schools is underway, while installation work has also started at 8 secondary schools, 4 ICDS centres, and 29 community halls, he said. Simultaneously, under the Chief Minister's Solar Mission, 125 lower primary schools in East Garo Hills, 72 with 1.1 kVA and 53 with 2.2 kVA off-grid inverter systems are being solarised, he said. A similar rollout will begin in East Jaintia Hills, covering 123 schools, the official said. "The CM Solar Mission is aimed at making schools energy-resilient, especially in far-flung villages that suffer from frequent outages," Beda added. Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), solar hybrid inverter systems are being installed for 492 households in East Khasi Hills' Mylliem block, and 354 beneficiaries in North and East Garo Hills. These include 0.85 kVA and 1.7 kVA systems depending on household needs, another official said. These efforts are part of a broader push to integrate clean energy into grassroots infrastructure, he said. MNREDA's solar initiatives received support through a mix of international aid, central subsidies (MNRE CFA), and state funding, the officials said.
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Business Standard
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Why did RailTel share price rise 4% in trade today? Check details here
Railtel Corporation share price: State-owned RailTel Corporation of India (RailTel) shares rose up to 3.85 per cent to hit an intraday high of ₹425.50 per share, on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. At 9:50 AM, RailTel share price was trading 2.44 per cent higher at ₹419.70 per share. In comparison, BSE Sensex was trading 0.08 per cent higher at 82,320.27 levels. Why did RailTel share price rise in trade today? The northward move in the RailTel Corporation share price came after the company announced that it has secured a work order from East Central Railway for works amounting to over ₹264 core. In an exchange filing, RailTel Corporation said, 'This is to inform you that RailTel Corporation of India Ltd. has received the work order from East Central Railway for Works amounting to ₹2,64,06,97,427 (including tax).' As per the order, RailTel will be responsible for implementing Kavach, the indigenous Train Collision Avoidance System, across 607 route kilometers (RKm) of low-density railway tracks in the East Central Railway zone. Meanwhile, the order needs to be completed by July 14, 2027, RailTel said in a statement. Track Stock Market LIVE Updates RailTel Q4 results RailTel posted a 46.3 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) rise in standalone net profit to ₹113.4 crore for the fourth quarter of FY25, up from ₹73.53 crore in the same quarter last year. Its revenue from operations surged 57.1 per cent to ₹1,308.2 crore in the March quarter (Q4FY25). Profit before tax (PBT) also saw strong growth, rising 48.3 per cent to ₹151.1 crore in Q4FY25 from ₹101.9 crore in Q4FY24. For the full fiscal year FY25, RailTel's standalone net profit grew 21.7 per cent to ₹299.81 crore, while revenue from operations rose 35.4 per cent to ₹3,477.50 crore compared to the previous year. About RailTel RailTel Corporation of India, founded in 2000 as a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Railways, plays a crucial role in modernising India's railway communication systems and providing broadband services across the country. The company's primary services include broadband connectivity to urban and rural areas, offering mission-critical communication solutions like video surveillance and e-office services, and providing Wi-Fi and on-demand content at major railway stations. It also focuses on network modernisation to improve train operations and administration, ensuring the smooth functioning of the railway system. Additionally, RailTel has been instrumental in various large-scale government projects such as Bharat Net, the National Knowledge Network, and optical fiber connectivity initiatives in the North East. RailTel was formed through the Railway Budget of 2000, with the goal of leveraging the existing telecom assets and the Right of Way (ROW) of Indian Railways to contribute to the National Telecom Policy of 1999.
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
CM Chandrababu Naidu launches Drone Mart Portal to ensure access to all
VIJAYAWADA: In a major push toward technological inclusion, Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu on Monday launched the AP Drone Mart Portal at the Secretariat, aiming to make drone services accessible to citizens across Andhra Pradesh. Developed by the AP Drone Corporation, the portal connects drone service providers with users, especially farmers, for tasks such as pesticide spraying, crop monitoring, and land surveys. It also supports services in infrastructure monitoring, disaster response, security, and mapping. Customers can directly negotiate charges with service providers through the portal, ensuring flexibility, affordability, and transparency. The platform integrates government departments, private agencies, and drone operators to streamline access and boost the adoption of drone technology. 'Ensuring drone services are available at reasonable prices will boost their adoption,' Naidu said, emphasising the government's commitment to bringing cutting-edge solutions to public service delivery. Officials present at the launch included Chief Secretary Vijayanand, IT Secretary Katamneni Bhaskar, and other senior officials. The chief minister urged departments to expand the portal's services to benefit more sectors and strengthen Andhra Pradesh's tech-driven governance model. FiberNet's revival on cards, 10 lakh connections targeted Alongside3 the drone initiative, Chief Minister Naidu also announced an ambitious plan to revive the Andhra Pradesh State FiberNet, a flagship digital connectivity project from his previous term. In a review meeting held at the Secretariat, Naidu blamed the previous YSRCP government for mismanaging the project, citing a drop in active connections from 8.7 lakh in 2019 to 4.5 lakh by 2025. He alleged misuse of funds, unjustified staff expansion from 130 to 1,350, and politically motivated appointments. An investigation has been ordered into the irregularities. The government now aims to restore 8–10 lakh connections by leveraging Rs 1,900 crore under the Centre's Amended BharatNet Programme (2025–2035). Upgrades include transitioning 1,692 gram panchayats in Chittoor and Visakhapatnam to ring architecture and connecting 480 new panchayats with Rs 430 crore in funding. A Special Purpose Vehicle will manage implementation. To address service decline and rising subscription costs from Rs 149 to Rs 350, Naidu directed officials to accelerate vendor selection for set-top boxes and explore public-private partnerships for remote connectivity. BSNL will oversee the project under BharatNet norms. Andhra Pradesh, which has already laid 78,355 km of optical fibre, is targeting 2 lakh km. The State allocated Rs 192.5 crore for capital expenditure and Rs 66.76 crore for operations, with Rs 67.14 crore support from BharatNet Phase 2.
