Won’t allow digital divide in India, women now more open to adopting new tech: PM Modi to Bill Gates

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a conversation on India’s digital transformation with Bill Gates, said he won’t let digital divide prevail in India. He also went on to say that the women of India, irrespective of the socio-economic status were adopting new technology with great enthusiasm.

“India is bringing in technology in a way that it should be available for everyone, lifting up those who need it the most,” said Gates.

“When I used to hear about digital divide across the world, I had decided that I won’t let any such thing happen in India,” said PM Modi.

“Digital public infrastructure is a major requirement in itself. We want even the remotest village to have access to key technologies, they are a very important target group for us,” he added.

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PM Modi then explained how women in rural India have embraced technology and are doing wonders. “Women are more open to adopting new technology in India. Whenever we develop tech aligned with their requirements, they are quick to respond and quick to accept,” PM Modi explained, using the example of Namo Drone Didi’ scheme

“We started ‘Namo Drone Didi’ scheme with two objectives in mind. The first was to make three crore women from underprivileged families in India to make them lakhpati didi, and help them earn Rs 1,00,000 annually,” he said

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The second, he said, was to bring about a psychological change. “Women in rural India should not be limited to grazing cattles or milking cows. I want to empower them by placing technology in the palm of their hands.”

“This is going on very successfully. I interact with them these days, and they are delighted. They say that they didn’t know to ride a bicycle but they are now pilots and can fly drones. The mindset has changed" PM Modi went on to say.

I also spoke to a lot of people from African countries about this, and told them that India is ready to help them in this, because technology like these, gives equal opportunity to everyone. Democratising everyone is the main point.