FICCI Frames 2016: Day 1
Tag: Ravi Shankar Prasad
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FICCI FRAMES: Prasad says -Indian broadcast industry needs an improved rating system
Mumbai, 30 March: Communication & IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad today said the Digital India initiative of the Government is a $ 1 trillion business opportunity across IT and IT enabled services, telecom and electronics manufacturing.
Speaking at the inauguration of the 17th edition of FICCI Frames Media & Entertainment Industry Conclave, Prasad said Digital India is aimed at empowering the citizens of India digitally.
He said nearly $400 billion will be added from the electronics manufacturing including mobile phones, solar panels etc, while a $ 350 billion opportunity will be presented by the IT and ITES sector. The Communication services will provide business opportunities of $ 250 billion.
The Minister said: “the aspirational urge of Indians is driving the digital world in a phenomenal way. And the Government’s job is to create an enabling eco-system for its growth.”
Speaking about the Media & Entertainment Industry, Prasad who had been the Information Minister under Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee said Indian content has a global reach and “we must utilize its strength to depict virtues of our rich cultural heritage”. Prasad suggested that the epic stories of Ramayana and Mahabharata should be taken to the world via quality film making.
Prasad said the Government recognized the importance and relevance of promoting media and entertainment industry. Hence, visa processes were being eased for film shootings.
A National Centre of Excellence was coming up for the media and entertainment industry and a new film facilitation office was also being set up.
He added that a new category in the National Film Awards – Most Film Friendly State – had been introduced to felicitate the state that provides greater access to the film industry.
He said with the spread of internet new platforms were emerging which would lead to change in business models.
The Minister asserted at the same time that Internet should remain democratic, plural and inclusive. “Internet is the finest creation of human mind, it should not be abused by few,” he said.
Stressing that the television rating system must improve, Prasad said he was not impressed with TAM’s alternative – BARC – either.
It was imperative for the television rating data to be more fair and reasonable. “I was not impressed by the TAM, and I am not impressed by the alternative too. How can a few thousand boxes determine what India is watching?” he asked. He said there was a need for a structured, fair and reasonable system to allow creation of quality content.
He said several of his government initiatives like Skill India, Stand Up India, Aadhar roll out, Make in India, and Smart Cities involve enormous use of digital technology.
“If the industry needs more policy initiatives, the government is open to it,” the Minister asserted.
Prasad said with 250,000 gram panchayats being connected through Optic Fiber Network, the entire country was being brought under the broadband regime.
He claimed that India is now the second largest mobile phone market. The internet penetration had reached 400 million, with 60% of it being mobile internet. He also said that India with one billion mobile phone connections had overtaken the United States to becomethe second largest mobile phone market in the world behind China.
He asserted that with successful Aadhar enrolment, the government has been able to save Rs 15,000 crore through direct delivery of subsidies.
Driving home the importance of Digital India and the opportunities it was offering, the Minister cited examples of a mathematics teacher-cum-App maker from Rajasthan, and a 68 year old person from Telangana who became digitally literate in order to communicate with her grandson in Dubai through skype. He said “Indians first watch, then adopt, enjoy and become empowered”.
India’s talent combined with the power of Information Technology would act as a springboard to launch India into the big league, said Prasad.
He ended by expressing his unhappiness towards the rating system in India, “I was never happy with TAM and I am not very happy with BARC either, I request Uday and the industry to have an improved rating system” he concluded -
FICCI FRAMES: Prasad says -Indian broadcast industry needs an improved rating system
Mumbai, 30 March: Communication & IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad today said the Digital India initiative of the Government is a $ 1 trillion business opportunity across IT and IT enabled services, telecom and electronics manufacturing.
Speaking at the inauguration of the 17th edition of FICCI Frames Media & Entertainment Industry Conclave, Prasad said Digital India is aimed at empowering the citizens of India digitally.
He said nearly $400 billion will be added from the electronics manufacturing including mobile phones, solar panels etc, while a $ 350 billion opportunity will be presented by the IT and ITES sector. The Communication services will provide business opportunities of $ 250 billion.
The Minister said: “the aspirational urge of Indians is driving the digital world in a phenomenal way. And the Government’s job is to create an enabling eco-system for its growth.”
Speaking about the Media & Entertainment Industry, Prasad who had been the Information Minister under Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee said Indian content has a global reach and “we must utilize its strength to depict virtues of our rich cultural heritage”. Prasad suggested that the epic stories of Ramayana and Mahabharata should be taken to the world via quality film making.
Prasad said the Government recognized the importance and relevance of promoting media and entertainment industry. Hence, visa processes were being eased for film shootings.
A National Centre of Excellence was coming up for the media and entertainment industry and a new film facilitation office was also being set up.
He added that a new category in the National Film Awards – Most Film Friendly State – had been introduced to felicitate the state that provides greater access to the film industry.
He said with the spread of internet new platforms were emerging which would lead to change in business models.
The Minister asserted at the same time that Internet should remain democratic, plural and inclusive. “Internet is the finest creation of human mind, it should not be abused by few,” he said.
Stressing that the television rating system must improve, Prasad said he was not impressed with TAM’s alternative – BARC – either.
It was imperative for the television rating data to be more fair and reasonable. “I was not impressed by the TAM, and I am not impressed by the alternative too. How can a few thousand boxes determine what India is watching?” he asked. He said there was a need for a structured, fair and reasonable system to allow creation of quality content.
He said several of his government initiatives like Skill India, Stand Up India, Aadhar roll out, Make in India, and Smart Cities involve enormous use of digital technology.
“If the industry needs more policy initiatives, the government is open to it,” the Minister asserted.
Prasad said with 250,000 gram panchayats being connected through Optic Fiber Network, the entire country was being brought under the broadband regime.
He claimed that India is now the second largest mobile phone market. The internet penetration had reached 400 million, with 60% of it being mobile internet. He also said that India with one billion mobile phone connections had overtaken the United States to becomethe second largest mobile phone market in the world behind China.
He asserted that with successful Aadhar enrolment, the government has been able to save Rs 15,000 crore through direct delivery of subsidies.
Driving home the importance of Digital India and the opportunities it was offering, the Minister cited examples of a mathematics teacher-cum-App maker from Rajasthan, and a 68 year old person from Telangana who became digitally literate in order to communicate with her grandson in Dubai through skype. He said “Indians first watch, then adopt, enjoy and become empowered”.
India’s talent combined with the power of Information Technology would act as a springboard to launch India into the big league, said Prasad.
He ended by expressing his unhappiness towards the rating system in India, “I was never happy with TAM and I am not very happy with BARC either, I request Uday and the industry to have an improved rating system” he concluded -
Prasad: Investments in electronic mfg cross Rs 1.28 lakh crore, 50 crore internet users by end 2016
New Delhi: The total investments in the electronics manufacturing sector in India has crossed Rs 1.28 lakh crore, Communications and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said today.
“When our government came in 2014, the total investment in electronics manufacturing was around Rs 11,700 crore and as of two days ago it is Rs 1,28,000 crore plus,” Prasad said.
He said until recently, just a few cities like Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Bangalore or Mumbai were considered the hubs for information technology, but the aim had been to take this to mofussil towns as well and so even smaller towns now had facilities after the launch of the Digital India, Skill India and Make in India programmes.
Addressing the Times Network’s Second Digital India summit, the Minister said these programmes had become transformational as they would set the path for changing the face of the country.
When he became the IT Minister, he said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given him a small slogan to live up to. “IT (Indian Talent) plus IT (Information Technology) is equal to IT (India Tomorrow).’
Prasad said India is fast adopting technology and the country is likely to have half a billion(50 crore) internet users by the end of this year. “It took two to three years for internet users to go from 200 to 300 million (20 to 30 crore) . It has taken a year to reach 400 million (40 crore) and when Internet service providers said we have reached 400 million, I was really surprised. I think the target of 500 million (50 crore) by 2017… maybe this will come by this year-end,” he said.
At the same time, he stressed that the government fully respected freedom of expression and was therefore encouraging the use of Internet. He said the government’s aim is to not only create a digitally-enabled society but also a digitally-empowered and enlightened India.
Prasad said: “Today India has a billion-plus (100 crore-plus) mobile phone users, 990 million (99 crore) have Aadhaar card. The government has saved close to Rs 50,000 crore by directly giving subsidy to Aadhaar-enabled bank accounts”. The minister said the government is also pushing hard electronic manufacturing in the country and 120 million (12 crore) mobile phones have been manufactured in the last year.
He said that one of his major achievements had been to introduce e-commerce in post offices. In addition, he had introduced core banking services in postal services. From 213 offering banking services when he took over, the number had gone up to 20,494 post offices. Around 850 post offices had ATM services. He claimed that sixty international consortiums were talking to India to collaborate with the postal authorities.
He said the aim of connecting 2.50 lakh gram panchayats through optical fibre network was proceeding fast and from 398 km when he took over, cable had been laid in 10,5000 km. When all gram panchayats are linked through the broadband network, then e-business, e-education, e-health and other projects can be started in villages, he added.
The government’s aim was to open BPOs in small towns and 78 companies have shown interest to set up BPO operations at 190 locations across the country for about 1,25,000 seats. There is also a plan to set up BPO centres in small urban centres of India, said the minister.
The minister said creation of MyGov.in had led to greater interaction with the average citizen, voice their concerns and give suggestions for improvement of public policies and development programmes.
The aim was also to build Common Service Centres all over the country offering all kinds of services like e-commerce, internet, BPO and telephony. This was a major step towards bridging the digital divide.
He said under the Digital India Programme, Indian IT exports had touched the $100 billion ($10,000 crore) mark last year.
Internet should not be a monopoly of a few and needs to be available on a non-discriminatory manner to ensure open access to the masses. It should be open, plural and inclusive,” Prasad said. The minister said internet subscribers are growing at a rapid pace in India at a time when the government is also taking steps to link villages by optical fibre network. However, there is a need to need to ensure that the online set-up is secure.
Earlier welcoming him, Times Now and ET Now President-News and Editor in Chief Arnab Goswami suggested that Skill India and Digital India should be combined into one programme.
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Prasad: Investments in electronic mfg cross Rs 1.28 lakh crore, 50 crore internet users by end 2016
New Delhi: The total investments in the electronics manufacturing sector in India has crossed Rs 1.28 lakh crore, Communications and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said today.
“When our government came in 2014, the total investment in electronics manufacturing was around Rs 11,700 crore and as of two days ago it is Rs 1,28,000 crore plus,” Prasad said.
He said until recently, just a few cities like Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Bangalore or Mumbai were considered the hubs for information technology, but the aim had been to take this to mofussil towns as well and so even smaller towns now had facilities after the launch of the Digital India, Skill India and Make in India programmes.
Addressing the Times Network’s Second Digital India summit, the Minister said these programmes had become transformational as they would set the path for changing the face of the country.
When he became the IT Minister, he said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given him a small slogan to live up to. “IT (Indian Talent) plus IT (Information Technology) is equal to IT (India Tomorrow).’
Prasad said India is fast adopting technology and the country is likely to have half a billion(50 crore) internet users by the end of this year. “It took two to three years for internet users to go from 200 to 300 million (20 to 30 crore) . It has taken a year to reach 400 million (40 crore) and when Internet service providers said we have reached 400 million, I was really surprised. I think the target of 500 million (50 crore) by 2017… maybe this will come by this year-end,” he said.
At the same time, he stressed that the government fully respected freedom of expression and was therefore encouraging the use of Internet. He said the government’s aim is to not only create a digitally-enabled society but also a digitally-empowered and enlightened India.
Prasad said: “Today India has a billion-plus (100 crore-plus) mobile phone users, 990 million (99 crore) have Aadhaar card. The government has saved close to Rs 50,000 crore by directly giving subsidy to Aadhaar-enabled bank accounts”. The minister said the government is also pushing hard electronic manufacturing in the country and 120 million (12 crore) mobile phones have been manufactured in the last year.
He said that one of his major achievements had been to introduce e-commerce in post offices. In addition, he had introduced core banking services in postal services. From 213 offering banking services when he took over, the number had gone up to 20,494 post offices. Around 850 post offices had ATM services. He claimed that sixty international consortiums were talking to India to collaborate with the postal authorities.
He said the aim of connecting 2.50 lakh gram panchayats through optical fibre network was proceeding fast and from 398 km when he took over, cable had been laid in 10,5000 km. When all gram panchayats are linked through the broadband network, then e-business, e-education, e-health and other projects can be started in villages, he added.
The government’s aim was to open BPOs in small towns and 78 companies have shown interest to set up BPO operations at 190 locations across the country for about 1,25,000 seats. There is also a plan to set up BPO centres in small urban centres of India, said the minister.
The minister said creation of MyGov.in had led to greater interaction with the average citizen, voice their concerns and give suggestions for improvement of public policies and development programmes.
The aim was also to build Common Service Centres all over the country offering all kinds of services like e-commerce, internet, BPO and telephony. This was a major step towards bridging the digital divide.
He said under the Digital India Programme, Indian IT exports had touched the $100 billion ($10,000 crore) mark last year.
Internet should not be a monopoly of a few and needs to be available on a non-discriminatory manner to ensure open access to the masses. It should be open, plural and inclusive,” Prasad said. The minister said internet subscribers are growing at a rapid pace in India at a time when the government is also taking steps to link villages by optical fibre network. However, there is a need to need to ensure that the online set-up is secure.
Earlier welcoming him, Times Now and ET Now President-News and Editor in Chief Arnab Goswami suggested that Skill India and Digital India should be combined into one programme.
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Times Network is all geared up for its second digital India summit & awards 2016
MUMBAI: Times Network, the leading English broadcast network in the country, has unveiled the agenda and list of power-packed speakers for its upcoming Second Digital India Summit & Awards 2016, which are to be held on 22 March in New Delhi.
The Second Digital India Summit will see some of the most important architects of India’s digital revolution congregate for the all-day event. Times Network has organized the significant initiative to take a closer look at India’s progress in the digital world. Union Minister of communications and information technology Ravi Shankar Prasad, chief guest of the second digital India summit will deliver the keynote address at the conclave.
The Sessions and Speakers:
Delivering on Digital India Dream: The Story So Far
This session will have panelists like Arvind Gupta (National Head-BJP-IT Cell) Amit Midha (President Dell Asia Pacific & Japan; Chairman, Dell Emerging Markets-) Noshir Kaka (MD – McKinsey India ) Amit Jain (CEO, Uber India), Satyan Gajwani (Managing Director, Times Internet Ltd), R Chandrasekhar (President- NASSCOM);, Karl Mehta (Founder,CEO Edcast) Joe So (Global CTO Enterprise Business Group-Huawei).
This power packed panel will discuss topics like Digital India: Where Do We Stand and Government’s Key Initiatives under Digital India Program which includes Digital Locker, Twitter Samvad, Swach Bharat Mission Mobile App and Jeevan Pramaan.
Building A Digital Economy
The speakers at this session include Arun Tiwari (Chairman & MD – Union Bank of India) Ravinder Pal Singh (Director Solutions Strategy & Biz Development – Dell) Sandeep Aurora (Director, Marketing and Market Development – Intel South Asia), , Milind Bengali (Chief Operating Officer, Business Operations – GTL Infrastructure Ltd), Chandan Kumar (Director, Marketing and Integrated Solutions – Huawei Telecommunications India Pvt.Ltd) Jagdish Mitra (Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer, Head Growth Factories – Tech Mahindra). They will discuss Roadmap To Change India’s Future and throw light on India’s Digital Population that is transforming economy, business landscape, governance and society alike.
Digital India – Developing Digital Entrepreneurs
This important topic will be explored by eminent speakers like Ravi Gururaj (Chairman – Founder & CEO QikPod & NASSCOM Product Council), Sharad Sharma (Co-Founder – iSpirt) Saurabh Srivastava (Entrepreneur & Co-Founder – Indian Angel Network), Kavin Bharti Mittal,Founder & CEO,Hike Messenger, Sanjeev Aggarwal (Founder– Helion Ventures), Sanjay Sethi (Founder & CEO – ShopClues), Mahesh Murthy (Founder & Co-Founder – Pinstorm & Seedfund). The panelists of the third session will discuss about how the internet is enabling entrepreneurs to tap the big Indian e-commerce opportunity. They will also talk about the entrepreneurial opportunities at the intersection of Make in India and Digital India.
Making India an Electronics Manufacturing Hub
The panelists on this session include thought leaders like Ajai Chowdhry (Chairman-Electronics Sector Skills Council of India), Sudhir Hasija (Chairman – Karbonn) , Nitin Kunkolienkar (VP & Director-MAIT & Smartlink) , Sunil Vachani (CMD – Dixon Technologies) and Murali Arikara (Executive Director – Essential Energy India Pvt Ltd). They will discuss subjects like Recent Developments and Incentives for Electronics Industry along with the challenges involved.
Developing Digital Workforce
The discussion on this crucial area will have eminent experts like Rahul Patwardhan (CEO – NIIT), Shrikant Sinha (CEO-NASSCOM Foundation), Raj Raghavan (HR Head – Amazon India) , Prithvi Shergill (Global HR – HCL Tech), Raja Sekhar Reddy (Director & Chief Operating Officer – Innovsource Private Limited), Ashok Reddy (Co-Founder – Teamlease), Vivek Madhukar – Chief Operating Officer (Times Business Solutions)and discuss how critical the skilled workforce digital India mission is, and will examine the Government’s measures to enhance digital literacy in the country. Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore will give a special address on the occasion.
The Digital India Summit will conclude with an award function in the evening, the Digital India Awards, which will continue the objective of showcasing and honoring the most inspirational digital work in the country. Guest of Honour R S Sharma, Chairman of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India will give away the awards.
Award categories:
* Good For India’ has Smart City solutions in seven categories – E-governance solutions, E-education learning solutions, E-healthcare delivery solutions, Skills & employment solutions, Energy solutions, Environment solutions and Agricultural Solutions
* Good For Organizations’ has four categories under Digital Enterprise, which are Manufacturing, Services, Digital Start-up Innovators and Digital Social Innovation
The awards have received an overwhelming participation from corporates and individuals. An eminent jury comprising of Aruna Jayanthi, CEO, Capgemini, R Chandrasekhar, President NASSCOM, Kiran Karnik, Chairman, CII, National Committee Telecom & Broadband, & Shinjini Kumar, CEO, Payments Bank, Paytm, Joy Chakraborty – COO – P D Hinduja Hospital, Ashutosh Jain, Chief Information Security Officer, Axis Bank judged the award entries in a daylong session. E&Y is the process partner for the awards.
PARTNERS:
Supporting the Event is the Lead Partner for the Summit and Award Partner for the Awards- Huawei, Our Lead Partners- GTL Infrastructure and Union Bank of India, Recruitment Partner-Times Job, Digital Partner Tech Mahindra, Digital Storage Partner Western Digital, Knowledge Partner MAIT and Tech 4 Good Partner NASSCOM Foundation, Exclusive Chamber Partner FICCI.
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Times Network is all geared up for its second digital India summit & awards 2016
MUMBAI: Times Network, the leading English broadcast network in the country, has unveiled the agenda and list of power-packed speakers for its upcoming Second Digital India Summit & Awards 2016, which are to be held on 22 March in New Delhi.
The Second Digital India Summit will see some of the most important architects of India’s digital revolution congregate for the all-day event. Times Network has organized the significant initiative to take a closer look at India’s progress in the digital world. Union Minister of communications and information technology Ravi Shankar Prasad, chief guest of the second digital India summit will deliver the keynote address at the conclave.
The Sessions and Speakers:
Delivering on Digital India Dream: The Story So Far
This session will have panelists like Arvind Gupta (National Head-BJP-IT Cell) Amit Midha (President Dell Asia Pacific & Japan; Chairman, Dell Emerging Markets-) Noshir Kaka (MD – McKinsey India ) Amit Jain (CEO, Uber India), Satyan Gajwani (Managing Director, Times Internet Ltd), R Chandrasekhar (President- NASSCOM);, Karl Mehta (Founder,CEO Edcast) Joe So (Global CTO Enterprise Business Group-Huawei).
This power packed panel will discuss topics like Digital India: Where Do We Stand and Government’s Key Initiatives under Digital India Program which includes Digital Locker, Twitter Samvad, Swach Bharat Mission Mobile App and Jeevan Pramaan.
Building A Digital Economy
The speakers at this session include Arun Tiwari (Chairman & MD – Union Bank of India) Ravinder Pal Singh (Director Solutions Strategy & Biz Development – Dell) Sandeep Aurora (Director, Marketing and Market Development – Intel South Asia), , Milind Bengali (Chief Operating Officer, Business Operations – GTL Infrastructure Ltd), Chandan Kumar (Director, Marketing and Integrated Solutions – Huawei Telecommunications India Pvt.Ltd) Jagdish Mitra (Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer, Head Growth Factories – Tech Mahindra). They will discuss Roadmap To Change India’s Future and throw light on India’s Digital Population that is transforming economy, business landscape, governance and society alike.
Digital India – Developing Digital Entrepreneurs
This important topic will be explored by eminent speakers like Ravi Gururaj (Chairman – Founder & CEO QikPod & NASSCOM Product Council), Sharad Sharma (Co-Founder – iSpirt) Saurabh Srivastava (Entrepreneur & Co-Founder – Indian Angel Network), Kavin Bharti Mittal,Founder & CEO,Hike Messenger, Sanjeev Aggarwal (Founder– Helion Ventures), Sanjay Sethi (Founder & CEO – ShopClues), Mahesh Murthy (Founder & Co-Founder – Pinstorm & Seedfund). The panelists of the third session will discuss about how the internet is enabling entrepreneurs to tap the big Indian e-commerce opportunity. They will also talk about the entrepreneurial opportunities at the intersection of Make in India and Digital India.
Making India an Electronics Manufacturing Hub
The panelists on this session include thought leaders like Ajai Chowdhry (Chairman-Electronics Sector Skills Council of India), Sudhir Hasija (Chairman – Karbonn) , Nitin Kunkolienkar (VP & Director-MAIT & Smartlink) , Sunil Vachani (CMD – Dixon Technologies) and Murali Arikara (Executive Director – Essential Energy India Pvt Ltd). They will discuss subjects like Recent Developments and Incentives for Electronics Industry along with the challenges involved.
Developing Digital Workforce
The discussion on this crucial area will have eminent experts like Rahul Patwardhan (CEO – NIIT), Shrikant Sinha (CEO-NASSCOM Foundation), Raj Raghavan (HR Head – Amazon India) , Prithvi Shergill (Global HR – HCL Tech), Raja Sekhar Reddy (Director & Chief Operating Officer – Innovsource Private Limited), Ashok Reddy (Co-Founder – Teamlease), Vivek Madhukar – Chief Operating Officer (Times Business Solutions)and discuss how critical the skilled workforce digital India mission is, and will examine the Government’s measures to enhance digital literacy in the country. Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore will give a special address on the occasion.
The Digital India Summit will conclude with an award function in the evening, the Digital India Awards, which will continue the objective of showcasing and honoring the most inspirational digital work in the country. Guest of Honour R S Sharma, Chairman of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India will give away the awards.
Award categories:
* Good For India’ has Smart City solutions in seven categories – E-governance solutions, E-education learning solutions, E-healthcare delivery solutions, Skills & employment solutions, Energy solutions, Environment solutions and Agricultural Solutions
* Good For Organizations’ has four categories under Digital Enterprise, which are Manufacturing, Services, Digital Start-up Innovators and Digital Social Innovation
The awards have received an overwhelming participation from corporates and individuals. An eminent jury comprising of Aruna Jayanthi, CEO, Capgemini, R Chandrasekhar, President NASSCOM, Kiran Karnik, Chairman, CII, National Committee Telecom & Broadband, & Shinjini Kumar, CEO, Payments Bank, Paytm, Joy Chakraborty – COO – P D Hinduja Hospital, Ashutosh Jain, Chief Information Security Officer, Axis Bank judged the award entries in a daylong session. E&Y is the process partner for the awards.
PARTNERS:
Supporting the Event is the Lead Partner for the Summit and Award Partner for the Awards- Huawei, Our Lead Partners- GTL Infrastructure and Union Bank of India, Recruitment Partner-Times Job, Digital Partner Tech Mahindra, Digital Storage Partner Western Digital, Knowledge Partner MAIT and Tech 4 Good Partner NASSCOM Foundation, Exclusive Chamber Partner FICCI.
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Govt respects free discourse & social media via internet: Ravi Shankar Prasad
NEW DELHI: Communications and Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has said the government fully respects the freedom of expression and discourse on social media and interned adding that “Our government is committed towards digital inclusion.”
Welcoming the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) decision on discriminatory pricing, he said, “We very much appreciate this decision of TRAI whereby differential tariff in case of data services has been rejected. The view of our government from the beginning has been very clear, which I have also articulated in the Parliament, that is, internet is one of the finest creations of human mind and it should not become the monopoly of few.”
“Differential pricing on data, whether it is Free Basics or any other mode, is plainly not acceptable,” the minister said, adding that the internet “must be available without discrimination.”
Prasad said that the government was expanding Digital India into every “nook and corner of the country, and taking extraordinary steps to empower the people through technology, to create a knowledge economy, the very concept,” in order to bring about digital inclusion.
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Govt respects free discourse & social media via internet: Ravi Shankar Prasad
NEW DELHI: Communications and Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has said the government fully respects the freedom of expression and discourse on social media and interned adding that “Our government is committed towards digital inclusion.”
Welcoming the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) decision on discriminatory pricing, he said, “We very much appreciate this decision of TRAI whereby differential tariff in case of data services has been rejected. The view of our government from the beginning has been very clear, which I have also articulated in the Parliament, that is, internet is one of the finest creations of human mind and it should not become the monopoly of few.”
“Differential pricing on data, whether it is Free Basics or any other mode, is plainly not acceptable,” the minister said, adding that the internet “must be available without discrimination.”
Prasad said that the government was expanding Digital India into every “nook and corner of the country, and taking extraordinary steps to empower the people through technology, to create a knowledge economy, the very concept,” in order to bring about digital inclusion.