In poll-bound Gujarat, Modi says new India will be made on tech revolution

Gandhinagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that his government is aiming towards digital transformation across rural India. The Prime Minister made this remark while addressing a gathering at a public meeting in the prestigious IIT-Gandhinagar.

"Work is underway to spread digital literacy to every part of India, among all age groups and sections of society," PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister further said that if a user-friendly technology is introduced then the country can be taken on the path of digital literacy.

While addressing the public meet, PM Modi quoted Karl Marx and said that 'haves' and 'haven'ts' should not create a digital divide in new age India

"The country cannot afford to have a digital divide in this day and age," he said.

According to PM Modi, digital India guarantees transparency, effective service delivery and good governance.

He added, "'JAM' is our tech mantra – Jan Dhan Account, Aadhaar, and mobile."

Modi also praised Gujarat by calling it the only state to have a forensic science laboratory.

He also pointed out that the academics should not be exam-driven and the focus should be on innovation.

Speaking about the need for global competence in the Indian educational system, he said, "Ten private universities and ten government universities would be put on a challenging route.''

"We will invest Rs 1,000 crore on each of them. We will relax the rules and give them the liberty and independence to make their own decisions. We will do whatever it takes to turn them into the 20 top universities in the world," he added.

The Prime Minister concluded the address by saying, "Let us change the world by choosing the road of innovation."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-day visit to his poll-bound home state of Gujarat, where he dedicated the newly-constructed building of IIT, Gandhinagar, to the nation and launched the Gramin Digital Saksharta Scheme.

(With agency inputs)