Prime Minister Narendra Modi lists out four pillars of Digital India at IMC 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today outlined the four key pillars of the Digital India initiative during his address at the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2024. These pillars form the foundation of India's digital transformation strategy, aimed at making the country a global leader in the digital economy.

"Ten years ago, when I had unveiled the vision of Digital India, I had said that we need to take a holistic approach," Prime Minister stated, emphasising the comprehensive nature of the initiative. He then proceeded to list the four pillars:

• Lower prices of devices
  
• Ensure digital connectivity across the country
  
• Make data accessible to everyone
  
• Establish 'digital first' as a national goal
  

The Prime Minister highlighted significant progress in each area. Regarding device affordability, he noted, "Phones could not have been cheaper unless we had not manufactured them in India." He pointed out the dramatic increase in mobile manufacturing units, from just two in 2014 to over 200 today.

On connectivity, he stated, "In the past ten years, the optical fibres that India has laid is eight times the distance between the moon and the earth." He also emphasised the rapid 5G rollout , with every district now connected to the network.

Addressing data accessibility, the Prime Minister revealed, "Today, mobile data in India costs 12 cents per GB. In other countries, one GB of data is ten times more costly." This affordability has led to increased consumption, with Indians using an average of 30 GB of data monthly.

He illustrated the 'digital first' approach by citing successful initiatives like Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, UPI, and ONDC. "We saw during the COVID-19 pandemic, how our digital platforms made lives easier," he added, underscoring the practical impact of these initiatives.

The Prime Minister concluded by emphasising the broader implications of Digital India: "In India, telecom is not just about connectivity but also about equity and opportunity." He stressed that these pillars aim to democratise digital technology, ensuring that no region or community is left behind in the digital age.