Narendra Modi woos Indian IT companies, stresses need for e-governance

NEW DELHI: Calling E-governance the most effective tool of IT industry, BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on Friday said that the field can be a great problem solver for people in India. "E-governance can bring minimum government and maximum governance," Modi said.

"Through the use of social media we must ensure that the citizens are involved in governance. E-governance is easy, effective and economic," Modi said.

Addressing IT professionals at the Nasscom India Leadership Forum (NILF) 2014, Modi spoke about 'transforming India through technology'. "Use of IT can put India on the road to fast and inclusive growth. We need to empower the youth of the country," Modi emphasised.

"I see the role of IT as a change agent. It empowers, connects and can bind isolated parts of India and create harmony. IT can join people with governments, bridge the gap between demand and supply, and can bring us closer to knowledge," Modi said.

Expressing confidence on the potential of IT sector, Modi said, "I keep saying IT+ IT = IT (Indian Talent+ Information Technology = India Tomorrow). The IT sector can be the shining light of Brand India."

Talking about his vision of creating a 'Digital India', Modi said, "India should become a digital India, which is a knowledge-based society and economy. By 2022, when we celebrate 75 years of freedom, we must be a different nation. And IT can be the growth engine of New India," he said.

Emphasing on the need to focus on Corporate Social Responsibility, Modi said, "Through CSR can you take up any one problem that India faces. You can take up a problem, form task forces and focus on resolving the issue."

According to Modi, it is important that the 'digital divide' being experienced in India does not percolate further. "Digital Divide means that what a person can get through IT in a city is not available to a person in remote villages. We cannot let the digital divide spread. We cannot have 2 Indias like this, where one is running fast but the other is on the reverse gear," Modi said.