INDIA TAKES ITS DIGITAL PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE TO THE GLOBAL SOUTH

If the world is waking up to the potential of digital public infrastructure, it is all because of India. It is only India that can be-in fact, is being-the voice of the Global South, whatever China's claims might be of being the leader of the Global South.

- JOYEETA BASU

At the just concluded G20 Leaders' Summit in Brazil, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi came in for much praise for highlighting the importance of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), AI, and data for governance. World leaders see in India's initiative the means to achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs) in a reasonable period of time.

There is no doubt that under PM Modi, India has moved ahead in leaps and bounds and shown the world how technology can alleviate poverty and transform people's lives. At the centre of this is the Jan Dhan accounts.

And from there takes off the JAM trinity of Jan Dhan Accounts, Aadhaar and Mobile, which has brought about a digital revolution in the country. There can be financial inclusion only when the benefits of governance to the poor reach them directly, without any leakages.

The middleman has been cut out. The tales of only 15 paisa out of 1 rupee reaching the poor are now just a bad memory. Now every benefit goes directly to the beneficiary. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) is having a revolutionary impact on the ground and leading to awareness about one's rights, right at the grassroots.