Lets talk about the different areas or sector that can be coupled with the dream of having a Digital India. Healthcare, Banking, Education, Judiciary , Agriculture are few of the areas that can be considered under the Digital India programme.
1. Healthcare
The healthcare sector is lagging in our country. A comparison with the Western countries reveal great facts. Being a healthcare consultant, I am very much aware of how healthcare can be a golden fish and help in raising the standard of the nation. US has various reforms such as the meaningful Usage MU2 and others that has various facilities and provisions to citizens. Unfortunately, we are lagging behind with this. A large population of our country resides in rural areas where medication facilities are sub standard. Electronic Healthcare is ambitious but it provides hope to raise the standard of living. How about developing online clinics with the help of technology. A patient record through means of a unique Medical Record number could be stored in an Electronical Medical Record system which is basically an online storage repository to story patient medical and health details. All the details could be stored in the online cloud created for the particular patient. Through an online clinic, the physician would get access to all his patient records. In case, the physician or the doctor needs to prescribe medicines to the patient, then he could prescribe medications through the EMR that would send the medications details to an ePharma tied up with the eClinic. The ePharma would send the medicines to the patient's house and the amount would be deducted through the patients electronic money wallet. All the records would be available in the cloud and the doctor would be having access to the cloud. This concept is actually complex and is ambitious. There are lots of disconnect when it comes to delivering healthcare and a better access to quality healthcare is everyone's right.
Various departments of the Government could act as interfaces and help in easy transaction! Suppose in rural area, a woman is pregnant and has delivered a baby. Her financial condition is tight and later on such a crisis situation it would be dificult for her to manager her children. In such a case, the child welfare department could store all the new born details on its database. The finance department or an equivalent ministry could provide money to the family so as to help in the growth of the child. Thus in such a way healthcare sector can be digitialized.
2. Education
Everyone knows that the education system in India is complex and it needs to be reviewed and revived. Through the Digital India programme, a digital university could be set up that would work in unison with the various universities, schools and colleges across India. It would be connected through broadband and free WiFi services could be provided to the schools and colleges. Digital Literacy is something that is good from a long term perspective. Countries like the USA , Singapore, China and Japan have already adopted this! Through various multimedia and interactive leanings students develop a good interest level in studies. eLearning and eEducation should be given high importance as it could be the next big thing. A Digital Library should be set up by the government that will enable access to documents and high quality materials. Its high time to switch from Traditional Educational system to a Digital System
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3. Banking
Banking is an important core sector in India. Most of the key banking features such as online and mobile banking has already been made online but still this needs to be actively used by rural population. However they need to be mentored and educated about how to Bank through internet and mobile. They are still lagging and eBanking is something that would help.
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| Bank Online - Image Source |
4. Agriculture
It would be great to couple technology and agriculture. Farmers have been struggling in India since the last few years due to lack of finances and many other issues. You must be thinking how technology could help them. Real time price information,provision of online cash and loan facilities needs to implemented for farmers.
The public grievances and concerns redressal system should be made online. It should contain a utility to map the different sectors, associated officials and geographical location with the concerned ministry. There by necessary actions could be taken against the corrupt officials.
A large number of Digital workforce has to be established like I said earlier. This would create various job opportunities. People from villages could be given job through proper training and mentorship programmes.
The Road and Transport ministry could also contribute to the Digital India programme by ensuring that a commuter is save on his journey. A timely reminder about different journey routes, timely region specific traffic updates on SMS basis could also help.
The Railway Department has been setting up a good example for the Digital India programe. Through IRCTC, the Indian Railways aims at providing railway tickets to its users. Manual efforts could be reduced. A lot of infrastructural upgrades in terms of large number of servers, managing transactions during peak ticket booking hours should be addressed. This is a great revenue generating department and hence a lot could be done if things are properly implemented.
The Income Tax department provides online payment of taxes and filing returns. The Passport and Election departments have their online presence too.
Recently the Government of India has launched a platform to connect with the citizens so as to provide ideas and plans as a medium of interaction with the common person. It is called MyGov.in. Do join this and see for yourself. It is a one stop portal to get access to various Government departments.
Recently the Government of India has launched a platform to connect with the citizens so as to provide ideas and plans as a medium of interaction with the common person. It is called MyGov.in. Do join this and see for yourself. It is a one stop portal to get access to various Government departments.
There are lots of advantages of the Digital India Programme. It is indeed an ambitious project. The road to success is never easy. Our country is rapidly developing and every developing economy needs to pay emphasis on technology. Implementation is one of the major challenge. This is a large scale programme and a lot of effort needs to be put in order to materialize it! If everything works well, then our nation would be a digital one. A lot can be said and a lot can be done too! As a citizen of this country , I only think for the betterment of this nation. A technology driven system is something that could do wonders.
If the words, programmes and projects translate into actions, implementation and reality , then one day our country could be a digitalized country. I dream of a Digital India!
