Lagatar24 Desk
Varanasi, June 12: Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised on Monday that India has undergone a revolutionary change as a result of digitalization. He also emphasised the growing data divide and stressed the importance of high-quality data for the formulation of meaningful policies, the effective distribution of resources and the effective service delivery.
The Prime Minister stated in a special video address to the G20 Development Ministers’ conference, held in Varanasi under the G20 Indian Presidency, that democratising technology is an essential tool to help bridge the data divide.
“Democratisation of technology is an important tool to help bridge the data divide. In India, digitalisation has brought about a revolutionary change,” PM Modi said in his video address to the visiting delegates.
“India is willing to share its experience with partner countries”, PM Modi said.
The prime minister welcomed the delegates to Varanasi, which he described as the mother of democracy’s oldest living city.
The Prime Minister emphasised the importance of Kashi, saying that it has long been a centre of knowledge, discussion, debate, culture, and spirituality for centuries. It also embodies India’s diverse heritage and serves as a meeting place for people from all across the nation.
“I am delighted that the G20 development agenda has reached Kashi as well. Development is a core issue for the global south…I strongly believe that it is our collective responsibility not to let the sustainable development goals fall behind. We must ensure that no one is left behind,” the Prime Minister said.
“Development is a core issue for the Global South”, the Prime Minister said as he pointed out that the countries of the Global South were severely impacted by the disruptions created due to the global Covid pandemic while geo-political tensions were responsible for food, fuel, and fertilizer crises.
“In such circumstances, the decisions you make are significant for humanity as a whole,” the PM said.
The Sustainable Development Goals must be maintained as a priority, the Prime Minister emphasised, and this is everyone’s responsibility. He continued by saying that the Global South needed to strongly convey to the rest of the world the necessary course of action.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) must be achieved through increased investment, the Prime Minister emphasised, as well as by addressing the debt problems that many nations confront. The efforts must also be comprehensive, inclusive, fair, and sustainable.
The Prime Minister suggested that multilateral financial organisations should be reformed to broaden the eligibility requirements so that those who need finance can access it.
“In India, we have made efforts to improve people’s lives in more than a hundred Aspirational Districts which were pockets of under-development that have now emerged as the catalysts of growth in the country,” the PM said in his address.
The Prime Minister requested that the G20 Development Ministers research this development paradigm.
“It may be relevant as you work towards accelerating Agenda 2030”, he added. The Prime Minister brought up the problem of the widening data divide, stating that having access to high-quality data is essential for making meaningful policy decisions, allocating resources effectively, and providing quality public services. He asserted that the democratization of technology is a crucial tool to help bridge the data divide.
According to the Prime Minister, India has undergone a revolutionary transition as a result of digitalization, where technology is now being used to empower people, make data accessible, and promote inclusivity.
The Prime Minister emphasised that India is eager to share its experience with partner nations and expressed optimism that conversations will lead to concrete efforts to advance data for dialogue, development, and delivery in underdeveloped nations.
PM Modi sent his best wishes for success in the discussions aimed at advancing Agenda 2030 and achieving the goals of the Global South.
