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Tag: Ravi Shankar Prasad

  • Cashless villages ‘Mumkin Hai’ with new channel & Rs 5-cr campaign

    Cashless villages ‘Mumkin Hai’ with new channel & Rs 5-cr campaign

    MUMBAI: The government has launched ‘DigiShala’, a Doordarshan free DTH channel, to promote cashless transactions in India — the first step in online payment education through the electronic media. The channel will be brought through GSAT15 (DD Direct DTH), 93.5 degree East, Receive frequency: 11590 Mhz.

    The launch of the channel is part of the government’s ‘Digi Dhan Abhiyan’ under which www.cashlessindia.gov.in has been created to serve as a knowledge repository. The government plans to teach people how to safeguard their accounts from phishing and cyber crimes.

    Minister of electronics and information technology Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the television was one of the most effective and far-reaching mediums to create awareness. The ministry was rolling out a dedicated TV channel to inform citizens about digital payment ecosystem and its benefits he added.

    DigiShala aims to impart information, especially in rural and semi-urban areas, on the online payment ecosystem, its benefits, tools, and processes. The channel, via its user-friendly content, will also encourage viewers to use online payments. The expected viewership of the channel is more over two crore across India. It will be available free (without subscription fee) and hence could be availed by the poor.

    Prasad said that the channel would show programmes depicting demos of making digital payments using USSD, UPI, Aadhaar, e-wallets, cards, and various talk shows and panel discussions with experts, as well as information about products and services under the Digital India programme. Prasad said the goal was to help small traders and citizens to switch to digital payments.

    NITI Aayog has meantime launched an integrated campaign across print, television, radio and social media promoting digital payments to turn India into a cashless economy. The commission has been tasked to create a simplified yet convincing communication. With a primary budget of Rs 5 crore, the campaign will run for a period of six months in 19 regional languages. The call-to-action advertising spots with a local tone highlight routine activities such as shopping, hiring an auto, bill payments or buying groceries in which consumers can use online payments.

    On Facebook and Twitter, influencers such as Abhinav Bindra and Sakshi Malik are endorsing the digital payment campaign using #Digitalpayments and #IPayDigitally. The campaign has been created by The Moving Pixels Co and Thinkstr — Ahmedabad- and Gurgaon-based advertising agencies respectively.

    The TVC ‘Mumkin Hai’ (It’s possible) features a mix of consumers across occupations, age groups and economic levels as the voice-over explains various digital options. The ad ends with the prime minister’s speech urging people to become a part of cashless India.

  • Cashless villages ‘Mumkin Hai’ with new channel & Rs 5-cr campaign

    Cashless villages ‘Mumkin Hai’ with new channel & Rs 5-cr campaign

    MUMBAI: The government has launched ‘DigiShala’, a Doordarshan free DTH channel, to promote cashless transactions in India — the first step in online payment education through the electronic media. The channel will be brought through GSAT15 (DD Direct DTH), 93.5 degree East, Receive frequency: 11590 Mhz.

    The launch of the channel is part of the government’s ‘Digi Dhan Abhiyan’ under which www.cashlessindia.gov.in has been created to serve as a knowledge repository. The government plans to teach people how to safeguard their accounts from phishing and cyber crimes.

    Minister of electronics and information technology Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the television was one of the most effective and far-reaching mediums to create awareness. The ministry was rolling out a dedicated TV channel to inform citizens about digital payment ecosystem and its benefits he added.

    DigiShala aims to impart information, especially in rural and semi-urban areas, on the online payment ecosystem, its benefits, tools, and processes. The channel, via its user-friendly content, will also encourage viewers to use online payments. The expected viewership of the channel is more over two crore across India. It will be available free (without subscription fee) and hence could be availed by the poor.

    Prasad said that the channel would show programmes depicting demos of making digital payments using USSD, UPI, Aadhaar, e-wallets, cards, and various talk shows and panel discussions with experts, as well as information about products and services under the Digital India programme. Prasad said the goal was to help small traders and citizens to switch to digital payments.

    NITI Aayog has meantime launched an integrated campaign across print, television, radio and social media promoting digital payments to turn India into a cashless economy. The commission has been tasked to create a simplified yet convincing communication. With a primary budget of Rs 5 crore, the campaign will run for a period of six months in 19 regional languages. The call-to-action advertising spots with a local tone highlight routine activities such as shopping, hiring an auto, bill payments or buying groceries in which consumers can use online payments.

    On Facebook and Twitter, influencers such as Abhinav Bindra and Sakshi Malik are endorsing the digital payment campaign using #Digitalpayments and #IPayDigitally. The campaign has been created by The Moving Pixels Co and Thinkstr — Ahmedabad- and Gurgaon-based advertising agencies respectively.

    The TVC ‘Mumkin Hai’ (It’s possible) features a mix of consumers across occupations, age groups and economic levels as the voice-over explains various digital options. The ad ends with the prime minister’s speech urging people to become a part of cashless India.

  • Govt favours net neutrality; data is the new oil: RS Prasad

    Govt favours net neutrality; data is the new oil: RS Prasad

    NEW DELHI: The much-debated net neutrality issue got some additional boost from the Indian minister of electronics & information technology and law & justice Ravi Shankar Prasad when he said that the government favours non-discriminatory access to the Internet.

    “We are strong advocates of non-discriminatory access to Internet and democratization of Internet governance,” Prasad said yesterday while dwelling on the issue of net neutrality and digital dividends to average citizens.

    However, he didn’t elaborate on the net neutrality (and OTT) issue, which is being studied by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in totality for possible guidelines and regulations. TRAI has already undertaken a lengthy consultation process with various stakeholders and its final recommendations are awaited.

    Pointing out that India is home to 270 million smart-phones, a number that’s likely to swell to 500 million in few years time, Prasad said that India doesn’t want to miss out on the digital revolution having missed the industrial revolution.

    Making a case for more efficient bandwidth availability at affordable rates to an average Indian, Prasad said, “Data is the new oil… (and) digital India is ideology neutral, politics neutral and only pro-India.”

    Prasad, who was delivering the inaugural address at the Observer Research Foundation (ORF)-organised “CyFy 2016: Digital Asia & Scripting the New Governance Order” here yesterday evening, asserted if a digital profile of India is drawn it would look something like this: 1.03 billion mobile phones, 1.05 million digital identity (Aadhaar cards) and  400 million internet users, apart from a digital army of young people who have fanned out in rural areas running Common Services Centres at more than 200,000 places.

    Enumerating the various digital initiatives undertaken under the Digital India plan, something that is very dear to Prime Minister Modi, the senior minister opined that the government had undertaken some “path-breaking” programmes.

    “Digital India is for the under-privileged… (and) digital inclusion will come about with digital connect,” the Minister said, adding the government was creating a digital infrastructure for Indians so that citizens could reap digital dividends aplenty.

    Pointing out that a digital India would provide more effective governance and remove socialistic-era licence regime, Prasad said in a few years time India would become a $ 1 trillion digital economy.     

    But the cyber space also brings along many dangers. Emphasising on the importance of precaution, Prasad said, “Governments of all countries have to come together to safeguard their citizens from the threats of cyber crimes.”

    ORF, which annually organises a conference on cyber-related issues, including security and entertainment, is an independent self-sustaining think-tank. Having started in the early 1990s, it has been backed by the now Mukesh Ambani-controlled Reliance Industries.

    The full address of the minister could be viewed here:

    https://www.facebook.com/RaviShankarPrasadOfficial/videos/10154464395568329/

     

  • Govt favours net neutrality; data is the new oil: RS Prasad

    Govt favours net neutrality; data is the new oil: RS Prasad

    NEW DELHI: The much-debated net neutrality issue got some additional boost from the Indian minister of electronics & information technology and law & justice Ravi Shankar Prasad when he said that the government favours non-discriminatory access to the Internet.

    “We are strong advocates of non-discriminatory access to Internet and democratization of Internet governance,” Prasad said yesterday while dwelling on the issue of net neutrality and digital dividends to average citizens.

    However, he didn’t elaborate on the net neutrality (and OTT) issue, which is being studied by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in totality for possible guidelines and regulations. TRAI has already undertaken a lengthy consultation process with various stakeholders and its final recommendations are awaited.

    Pointing out that India is home to 270 million smart-phones, a number that’s likely to swell to 500 million in few years time, Prasad said that India doesn’t want to miss out on the digital revolution having missed the industrial revolution.

    Making a case for more efficient bandwidth availability at affordable rates to an average Indian, Prasad said, “Data is the new oil… (and) digital India is ideology neutral, politics neutral and only pro-India.”

    Prasad, who was delivering the inaugural address at the Observer Research Foundation (ORF)-organised “CyFy 2016: Digital Asia & Scripting the New Governance Order” here yesterday evening, asserted if a digital profile of India is drawn it would look something like this: 1.03 billion mobile phones, 1.05 million digital identity (Aadhaar cards) and  400 million internet users, apart from a digital army of young people who have fanned out in rural areas running Common Services Centres at more than 200,000 places.

    Enumerating the various digital initiatives undertaken under the Digital India plan, something that is very dear to Prime Minister Modi, the senior minister opined that the government had undertaken some “path-breaking” programmes.

    “Digital India is for the under-privileged… (and) digital inclusion will come about with digital connect,” the Minister said, adding the government was creating a digital infrastructure for Indians so that citizens could reap digital dividends aplenty.

    Pointing out that a digital India would provide more effective governance and remove socialistic-era licence regime, Prasad said in a few years time India would become a $ 1 trillion digital economy.     

    But the cyber space also brings along many dangers. Emphasising on the importance of precaution, Prasad said, “Governments of all countries have to come together to safeguard their citizens from the threats of cyber crimes.”

    ORF, which annually organises a conference on cyber-related issues, including security and entertainment, is an independent self-sustaining think-tank. Having started in the early 1990s, it has been backed by the now Mukesh Ambani-controlled Reliance Industries.

    The full address of the minister could be viewed here:

    https://www.facebook.com/RaviShankarPrasadOfficial/videos/10154464395568329/

     

  • CNBC-TV18 to host the 11th edition of IBLA

    CNBC-TV18 to host the 11th edition of IBLA

    MUMBAI: CNBC-TV18 is back with the 11th edition of the prestigious India Business Leader Awards (IBLA) 2015-16.The visionaries that have led India’s glorious journey from the front are the champions that CNBC-TV18 looks forward to saluting at the award function which will take place on 30 August in New Delhi.

    This year’saward ceremony will be presided over by the Honorable Finance Minister of India ArunJaitley.Also, present on the occasion will be dignitaries such as NirmalaSitharaman, Smriti Irani, Digvijay Singh, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Amitabh Kant, Nirupama Rao, ArvindSubramanium, Deepak Parekh, and other top corporate chiefs.

    The India Business Leader Awards are the definitive awards celebrating the spirit of excellence in business leadership in India. The winners have been chosen through a rigorous process by an eminent jury chaired by UdayKotak, Executive Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Kotak Mahindra Bank and co-chaired by DilipShanghvi – Managing Director – Sun Pharma along with Shikha Sharma – MD & CEO Axis Bank, Cyril Shroff- Managing Partner – Cyril AmarchandMangaldas, V.G. Siddhartha – Chairman – Coffee Day Enterprises and Sanjay Nayar – CEO, KKR.

  • CNBC-TV18 to host the 11th edition of IBLA

    CNBC-TV18 to host the 11th edition of IBLA

    MUMBAI: CNBC-TV18 is back with the 11th edition of the prestigious India Business Leader Awards (IBLA) 2015-16.The visionaries that have led India’s glorious journey from the front are the champions that CNBC-TV18 looks forward to saluting at the award function which will take place on 30 August in New Delhi.

    This year’saward ceremony will be presided over by the Honorable Finance Minister of India ArunJaitley.Also, present on the occasion will be dignitaries such as NirmalaSitharaman, Smriti Irani, Digvijay Singh, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Amitabh Kant, Nirupama Rao, ArvindSubramanium, Deepak Parekh, and other top corporate chiefs.

    The India Business Leader Awards are the definitive awards celebrating the spirit of excellence in business leadership in India. The winners have been chosen through a rigorous process by an eminent jury chaired by UdayKotak, Executive Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Kotak Mahindra Bank and co-chaired by DilipShanghvi – Managing Director – Sun Pharma along with Shikha Sharma – MD & CEO Axis Bank, Cyril Shroff- Managing Partner – Cyril AmarchandMangaldas, V.G. Siddhartha – Chairman – Coffee Day Enterprises and Sanjay Nayar – CEO, KKR.

  • Venkaiah Naidu gets additional charge of MIB; Manoj Sinha bags Communications portfolio

    Venkaiah Naidu gets additional charge of MIB; Manoj Sinha bags Communications portfolio

    NEW DELHI: M. Venkaiah Naidu is the new boss for India’s media and entertainment sector at Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) as the senior minister replacing Arun Jaitley who continues to be country’s finance minister.

    Similarly, there’s a new Communications boss at the Capital’s Sanchar Bhawan that houses one part of the Ministry of Communications & Information Technology (MoCIT). Manoj Sinha will hold independent charge of Communications portfolio in the bifurcated MoCIT.

    Earlier MoCIT minister Ravi Shankar Prasad retains control over IT & Electronics departments in MoCIT, while being given additional charge of Ministry of Law.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi affected a reshuffle of his Cabinet on July 5, 2016, bringing in new people as senior and junior ministers and re-jigging portfolios of some existing ministers. With the induction of the newcomers, the council of ministers has been expanded to 78 members.

    Both Naidu and Sharma, at the helm of crucial ministries, have additional responsibilities too.

    While Naidu also holds charge at Ministry of Urban Development Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, Sharma too is a junior minister at Ministry of Railways.

    Naidu will be accompanied at MIB by Olympics medallist-turned-politician Rajyavardhan Singh RathoreRajyavardhan Singh Rathore, who continues as the junior minister.

    It remains to be seen how quickly the new ministers grasp complex issues such as digitisation, broadcast licences, content regulations, Net Neutrality, spectrum auctioning, while keeping pace with newer technologies being embraced by India’s media & entertainment and communications sectors.

    Political observers of India’s complicated polity were divided in their opinion on whether the Cabinet reshuffle reflected talents been rewarded or people given ministerial berths with an eye on some up and coming State-level elections that are crucial for the nationalist BJP, which leads the government in New Delhi.

  • Venkaiah Naidu gets additional charge of MIB; Manoj Sinha bags Communications portfolio

    Venkaiah Naidu gets additional charge of MIB; Manoj Sinha bags Communications portfolio

    NEW DELHI: M. Venkaiah Naidu is the new boss for India’s media and entertainment sector at Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) as the senior minister replacing Arun Jaitley who continues to be country’s finance minister.

    Similarly, there’s a new Communications boss at the Capital’s Sanchar Bhawan that houses one part of the Ministry of Communications & Information Technology (MoCIT). Manoj Sinha will hold independent charge of Communications portfolio in the bifurcated MoCIT.

    Earlier MoCIT minister Ravi Shankar Prasad retains control over IT & Electronics departments in MoCIT, while being given additional charge of Ministry of Law.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi affected a reshuffle of his Cabinet on July 5, 2016, bringing in new people as senior and junior ministers and re-jigging portfolios of some existing ministers. With the induction of the newcomers, the council of ministers has been expanded to 78 members.

    Both Naidu and Sharma, at the helm of crucial ministries, have additional responsibilities too.

    While Naidu also holds charge at Ministry of Urban Development Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, Sharma too is a junior minister at Ministry of Railways.

    Naidu will be accompanied at MIB by Olympics medallist-turned-politician Rajyavardhan Singh RathoreRajyavardhan Singh Rathore, who continues as the junior minister.

    It remains to be seen how quickly the new ministers grasp complex issues such as digitisation, broadcast licences, content regulations, Net Neutrality, spectrum auctioning, while keeping pace with newer technologies being embraced by India’s media & entertainment and communications sectors.

    Political observers of India’s complicated polity were divided in their opinion on whether the Cabinet reshuffle reflected talents been rewarded or people given ministerial berths with an eye on some up and coming State-level elections that are crucial for the nationalist BJP, which leads the government in New Delhi.

  • Sixteen vans touring states to create awareness about digital and satellite technology

    Sixteen vans touring states to create awareness about digital and satellite technology

    NEW DELHI: A total of sixteen vans are traveling to 34 districts of nine states to introduce one million citizens (10 lakh) to services only possible via interplay of Satellite Technology along with other existing Broadband technologies, such as optical fibre, mobile, cable, etc. The vans were flagged off by Communications and Information Technology minister Ravi Shankar Prasad last week as part of the Digital India Outreach Campaign.

    The Broadband India Forum (BIF) has acknowledged Government efforts to deliver connectivity and Broadband to remote and difficult-to-access parts of India.

    The 2nd International India Satcom -2016 summit organized by the Forum on 7 June is aimed at showcasing the scope of catalysing achievement of socio-economic objectives with the use of innovations in Satellite Communications technology.

    Inviting the delegates to the meet, Forum President TV Ramachandran said: “Digital India, Make in India and Broadband for All will require integration of many parallel technologies that have high potential but are less understood, such as Satellite Communication (Satcom), to achieve a dream that’s close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s heart. Integration will expedite penetration of affordable Broadband in India, particularly in remote, rural regions. BIF has always propagated enhancement and integration of new technologies that can expedite penetration of affordable Broadband in India to complement other Broadband technologies, such as optical fibre, mobile, cable, etc. Our objective through this summit is to bring all Broadband technology players on board to support the Digital India initiative.”

    The meet is focusing on the theme ‘Broadband for All using NextGen Satellite Technologies’. Dr.Jitendra Singh, minister of State for the Ministry of Development of North East Region, Prime Minister Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space is the Chief Guest.

    The event is supported by The Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY), C and IT Ministry.

    BIF said sector reforms are expected to bring in FDI worth $2-5 billion over the next decade. Liberalisation and reforms of satellite communication policy harbours potential for successful deployment of Broadband under Digital India for all 2,50,000 Gram panchayats in just 12 to 18 months.

    The summit will witness deliberations on the viability of Satellite Communications for Digital India and possible Next Gen Satcom Innovation & Applications by senior members from the Government, including DoT, TRAI, DoS, Niti Aayog, Dept. of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP), DeitY and Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) departments and representatives from Leading Satellite Operators, VSAT Service Providers, Telecom Service Providers, Internet Service Providers, Technology Providers, VSAT Manufacturers, Cable Service Providers, User Organisations (Banks, Oil & Gas, Defence, Security Forces etc), DTH Service Providers, and other allied Industries.

  • Sixteen vans touring states to create awareness about digital and satellite technology

    Sixteen vans touring states to create awareness about digital and satellite technology

    NEW DELHI: A total of sixteen vans are traveling to 34 districts of nine states to introduce one million citizens (10 lakh) to services only possible via interplay of Satellite Technology along with other existing Broadband technologies, such as optical fibre, mobile, cable, etc. The vans were flagged off by Communications and Information Technology minister Ravi Shankar Prasad last week as part of the Digital India Outreach Campaign.

    The Broadband India Forum (BIF) has acknowledged Government efforts to deliver connectivity and Broadband to remote and difficult-to-access parts of India.

    The 2nd International India Satcom -2016 summit organized by the Forum on 7 June is aimed at showcasing the scope of catalysing achievement of socio-economic objectives with the use of innovations in Satellite Communications technology.

    Inviting the delegates to the meet, Forum President TV Ramachandran said: “Digital India, Make in India and Broadband for All will require integration of many parallel technologies that have high potential but are less understood, such as Satellite Communication (Satcom), to achieve a dream that’s close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s heart. Integration will expedite penetration of affordable Broadband in India, particularly in remote, rural regions. BIF has always propagated enhancement and integration of new technologies that can expedite penetration of affordable Broadband in India to complement other Broadband technologies, such as optical fibre, mobile, cable, etc. Our objective through this summit is to bring all Broadband technology players on board to support the Digital India initiative.”

    The meet is focusing on the theme ‘Broadband for All using NextGen Satellite Technologies’. Dr.Jitendra Singh, minister of State for the Ministry of Development of North East Region, Prime Minister Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space is the Chief Guest.

    The event is supported by The Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY), C and IT Ministry.

    BIF said sector reforms are expected to bring in FDI worth $2-5 billion over the next decade. Liberalisation and reforms of satellite communication policy harbours potential for successful deployment of Broadband under Digital India for all 2,50,000 Gram panchayats in just 12 to 18 months.

    The summit will witness deliberations on the viability of Satellite Communications for Digital India and possible Next Gen Satcom Innovation & Applications by senior members from the Government, including DoT, TRAI, DoS, Niti Aayog, Dept. of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP), DeitY and Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) departments and representatives from Leading Satellite Operators, VSAT Service Providers, Telecom Service Providers, Internet Service Providers, Technology Providers, VSAT Manufacturers, Cable Service Providers, User Organisations (Banks, Oil & Gas, Defence, Security Forces etc), DTH Service Providers, and other allied Industries.