Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, addressed the media at a press conference on Digital Infrastructure and Connectivity in New Delhi today. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the world is now recognizing India’s digital revolution.
The Digital India program, launched by the Government on July 1, 2015, envisions transforming India into a knowledge-based economy and digitally empowered society by ensuring digital services, accessibility, inclusion, and empowerment. The ability to transfer money or complete important tasks with a single click is a testament to this vision of Prime Minister of India.
Digital India: Revolutionizing governance and empowering a billion lives
Union Minister of State Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh said that Digital India has laid the foundation for a developed India by 2047. Over the past 11 years, the Government has brought a digital revolution, inspiring citizens to work digitally, which has had an unprecedented impact on 1.4 billion people.
Shri Singh also shared experiences of India’s digital revolution being discussed abroad. He mentioned that during his travels, foreign government representatives and citizens have praised India’s digital revolution. It is encouraging that the vision of Digital India has helped India earn a distinct place on the global map.
Digital services have also helped curb corruption. Initiatives like UPI, DigiLocker, DigiYatra, CoWIN, Aarogya Setu, e-Sanjeevani, UMANG, GeM, DIKSHA, e-Hospital, and e-Court are impacting millions of lives and making tasks simpler.
The digital revolution has made it possible for money to reach beneficiaries directly without middlemen. Villages now have internet access, and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has streamlined its work through digital platforms. The Parivesh portal has made environmental clearances faster, simpler, and more transparent, compared to the lengthy processes before.
India emerging as a thought leader in digital payment
The Minister also highlighted India’s digital payment revolution, which is gaining global recognition. Currently, UPI (Unified Payments Interface) is used for payments in seven countries: UAE, Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, France, and Mauritius.
UPI’s launch in France is especially significant as it marks the first use of UPI in Europe. This expansion allows Indian consumers and businesses to make payments and receive money easily while abroad. Several countries have signed Memorandums of Understanding to adopt India’s Digital Payment Infrastructure (DPI), enhancing India’s credibility in the global digital revolution.