NEW DELHI, May 27: The Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday accused the governments preceding him as “indifferent” towards the use of technology causing immense losses and sufferings to the poor and the middle class.
Addressing a gathering after inaugurating India’s biggest drone festival in Delhi, the Prime Minister said the enthusiasm being seen in India about drone technology was amazing and indicates possibilities of an emerging sector of employment generation.
He said eight years ago “we started implementing new mantras of good governance.” “Walking on the path of minimum government and maximum governance, priority was given to ease of living and the ease of doing business,” Modi said.
He claimed that during the earlier governments, technology was considered a part of the problem and efforts were made to label it “anti-poor,” the Prime Minister said. “Due to this, there was an environment of indifference towards the use of technology in governance before 2014. The poor, the deprived, the middle class suffered the most,” he said. Technology has helped a lot in ensuring last-mile delivery, Modi said.
He said “PM Swamitva Yojana” was an example of how drone technology was becoming the basis of a big revolution. Under it, for the first time every property in villages is being digitally mapped and digital property cards are being given to the people. Modi also said the use of drones would further rise in various other sectors like agriculture, sports, defence and disaster management.
‘Bharat Drone Mahotsav 2022’ is a two-day event being held on May 27 and 28. Along with Modi, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and Rural Development Minister Giriraj Singh were also present at the inaugural event.
Addressing the event, Scindia said India used to be a follower in the technology sector but now it has become a leader. He said the technology would become successful only when it comes to the benefit of the less privileged and the poor.
Over 1,600 delegates comprising government officials, foreign diplomats, armed forces, central armed police forces, public sector undertakings, private companies and drone startups will participate in the festival.
(Manas Dasgupta)
