Build 'wi-fi capitals' & 'high speed digital highways', says Narendra Modi

NEW DELHI: Pitching for his dream of a 'digital India', BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on Friday said that convergence of technology is important. "Access to information knows no barrier, that is my dream of a digital India," Modi said.

Addressing audience at the 8th India Digital Summit, Modi presented his vision for advancement of technology; one that encompassed 'high speed digital highways' and optical fibre networks.

"I dream of a digital India where knowledge is strength and empowers people. I dream of digital India where high speed digital highways unite the nation," Modi said. "Convergence of technology is important. One People One mission One nation - this will be possible then," he opined.

Modi went on to stress the need for optical fibre networks. "We need to increase optical fibre network all over India. We talk of wi-fi networks. Can we make our national capital wi-fi? We are working towards that for our state capital," he cited.

Citing the example of Gujarat, Modi said that the country should move towards mobile governance. "We will have to move towards mobile governance. In Gujarat we have concept of One Day Governance," he said.

Talking about empowerment through technology, Modi said, "Through social media a poor man from a village can do what a magazine editor cannot." "Be it Facebook, Google, Yahoo, Microsoft..our youth are skilled. I am sure our youth are full of creativity, innovation," Modi said.

Modi said, "When we give our youth the opportunity, we too can give a lot to the world. Digital world has not compromised in making their innovations user friendly. All companies and innovators think about this," he said. "I urge you think about how to move to the smaller towns not only the big cities," he added.

According to Modi availability of 'real time data' is important. "Real time data is a big hindrance to our development, even in this age of technology. This is unfortunate," he lamented.

"A lot can be done to provide good governance with the help of technology," Modi emphasised. "Technology intervention is a great way to get transparency," Modi added.