Pavithra, (01)
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Peter Yim
Co-convener, ONTOLOG
-- (09)
On Sun, Nov 1, 2009 at 5:02 PM, Pavithra <pavithra_kenjige@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> Knowledge Is The Next Big Idea In India’
> Posted by: "Frederick Noronha" fredericknoronha@xxxxxxxxx
> Date: Sat Oct 31, 2009 2:03 pm ((PDT))
>
> http://tehelka.com/story_main43.asp?filename=Bu071109knowledge_is.asp
>
> Knowledge Is The Next Big Idea In India’
>
> When telecom engineer and entrepreneur Satyanaryan Gangaram ‘Sam’
> Pitroda first pitched his idea about a possible telecom revolution in
> India, he told then prime minister Indira Gandhi that he wanted to
> elevate the telephone from being a mere instrument to conduct a
> conversation into a tool for social change.
>
> It was an expression that caught Ms Gandhi’s attention. Also present
> at the meeting was a big supporter of his ideas, a man who would be
> prime minister one day, Rajiv Gandhi. “I knew that Rajiv was actually
> with me right from the word go,” recalls Pitroda.
>
> That was in 1981. In the next two and a half decades, Pitroda’s ideas
> have revolutionised the telecommunication industry — and indeed
> transformed the lives of millions of people in India. There have been
> occasional sparks of tensions with those who have called Pitroda “a
> man with a technology-proponent’s view towards problems and lacking a
> social scientist’s approach”.
>
> But that has not bothered Pitroda. Now, the man who saw tomorrow is on
> a new mission. After heading the National Knowledge Commission (NKC)
> for the last four years, telecom czar Pitroda has been appointed an
> advisor to the Prime Minister of India on information infrastructure
> and innovation. In a telephone conversation with KUNAL MAJUMDER,
> Pitroda says his next big challenge is to revive the knowledge
> industry in India. He wants to use modern tools like the Internet to
> simplify governance and, once again, to transform people. Excerpts
> from the conversation:
> image
> Photo: SHAILENDRA PANDEY
>
> In some way, this is your second innings with the government. Have
> things changed for the better?
> I don’t know about first or second or third innings. I have been
> working for the government through the National Knowledge Commission
> (NKC) for the last four years. I think this is more of an extension
> than an innings. I had a roadmap — some of it was visible and known to
> me and those who worked with me, some of it was not.
>
> So, how is your role in shaping a telecom revolution in India linked
> with your present mandate?
> In the 1980s, we realised that the Internet and telecom could become
> two major tools in nation building. And they did. It transformed
> India. Now, we feel knowledge is the next big idea. We need to focus
> on the knowledge industry. Unfortunately, not everybody appreciates or
> understands this. They think I’m just speaking schools or colleges,
> which is not true.
>
> India has a long history of spreading knowledge. Our Buddhas have
> spread knowledge of education across the world. Nalanda was a hub of
> knowledge, with scholars visiting it from around the world.
> Unfortunately, we have lost that knowledge. We need to revive that.
>
> So it’s about connecting knowledge with information infrastructure?
> It is about using information technology to transform the lives of
> people. The challenge is how to use IT to improve education, health
> services, and even national schemes like the NREGA. We should also
> look into how to shift back office work from Bengaluru to small
> villages. This will transform the lives of the poor. We are already
> working on how to link 2,500 panchayats through broadband services. IT
> can also be the right tool to simplify the judicial process. We can
> bring down the time span of cases from 10-15 years to just three
> years.
>
> In a traditional country like India, with a major literacy problem,
> would such a technology work?
> No doubt there is a need for a new way to look at technology. Learning
> paradigms have changed across India and the nation is fast seeking
> integration of technology. But the overall quality of education is
> pretty bad and this needs to change. We need to plant the seed among
> the young people. Just like with telephones, we can drive a change. In
> fact, the goverenment’s system must be geared towards systemic
> accessibility. Access to education changed my life. And I am a firm
> believer of the fact that access to knowledge is essential for
> developing a large country.
>
> But we seem to be waiting for it for long. When you first came here,
> it was more than two decades ago?
> You need to see the success for yourself. In fact, I can see it
> already happening on the ground. We already have the metro in Delhi,
> 3G mobile phones and other successes. Now, we need to multiply them.
> We need to increase the pace of modernisation. The big need for us at
> the moment is to manage our population. Just imagine if we had just
> 600 million, with the current economy and facilities! India would
> actually be on top of the world.
>
> But how does a nation resolve issues when modern projects collide with
> social issues, like Tata’s car project.
> Honestly, I do not know much about the problem. So, it would be unfair
> for me to comment on it. But I know that there are a lot of modern
> tools that can help deliver better and quicker solutions. We need to
> make use of such tools in our work. For example, at the National
> Knowledge Commission, I made it clear that I would not handle any
> file: everything had to be done through email. Plus, we put every
> detail, including the reports and money spent, on the website. This
> made things transparent and accessible. You need to involve those who
> would eventually be a part of your project right from the word go.
>
> India wants developed infrastructure but bulk of the projects are in a mess.
> We need to work on solving problems rather than pointing them out.
> It’s like an onion, you peel one layer, and you get another. It
> requires talent to find solutions in India. All we need is a decade of
> innovation to transform this country. We are not like Africa. We have
> a lot of talent. We just need to take care of the population growth.
> Many don’t understand knowledge in India. They think I’m just speaking
> schools or colleges, which is not true
>
> The other field that you are advising the prime minister on is
> innovation. Indians are known for their innovative tendencies.
> However, the innovations have been more of a survival tactic. Has
> India progressed?
> We are in the early stages of innovation. The NKC has put forward a
> report on this. Innovation would deal more with products and services.
> There is a lot of room for innovation in the social sector as well as
> in the government. Innovation can help us uplift 300 million Indians
> from poverty. In fields like sustainable energy, we need innovation.
> Unfortunately we are stuck in the 19th century. We need to change.
>
> Tell us your views on the identity card project that is being led by
> Nandan Nilekani. Is there something that you would have done
> differently than what he is doing?
> I’m working closely with Nandan Nilekani on this project. It is a very
> important step and a very unique project. A national ID card will
> simplify public service and create more accessibility. Many years ago,
> I realised access to telephones will transform India, now access to
> knowledge will transform millions of lives across the country.
>
> You once said you love challenges. One of the biggest facing India is
> Naxalism. What would be your approach to solve the crisis
> They are our own people. We have got to love them and get them on our
> sides. We do have fights in our own families. The government must push
> for sustained development in those regions and let them maintain their
> traditional livelihood. Nobody wants violence by choice. Work with
> them, engage them and eventually, make them realise the pleasures of a
> better livelihood.
>
> WRITER’S EMAIL
> kunal@xxxxxxxxxxx
> From Tehelka Magazine, Vol 6, Issue 44, Dated November 07, 2009
>
>
> Print this story Feedback Add to favorites Email this story
>
> --
> Frederick Noronha :: +91-832-2409490
> Writing, editing, alt.publishing, photography, journalism
> Books from Goa: http://tiny.cc/goabooks
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