JOIN USA predictable regulatory environment that protects the existing investments while creating room for new ones is important for inclusive digital society in the country, said Dr Vijay Kumar Saraswat, NITI Ayog member.
Delivering the 34th convocation address of Mangalore University on Wednesday, he said that attracting private investors to build internet infrastructure in remote places requires presence of favourable conditions like a stable regulatory environment. The stable regulatory policy should be an enabler and not an obstacle for investments, he explained.
“The selection of frequency bands and coverage obligations can affect the telecom operators’ costs and investments. The use of low-frequency bands is one way of lowering the cost, while another way to reduce costs through spectrum assignment is to include rural coverage requirements in new spectrum licences, which might justify lower licence fee,” he added.
“Digitisation will bring in a paradigm shift in the focus of activities like improving productivity, transforming business process and creating knowledge and supporting human activities from being computer-centric to network-centric to human-centric. It is expected that Smart City Infrastructure world wide will grow by $ 16,000 billion by 2020,” the NITI Ayog member said.
On the hardware challenges for creating inclusive digital society, Dr Saraswat said that the use of low-power hardware with long battery life is crucial in an environment with erratic power supply. There is a need to strike a balance between low cost and solid reliable functional technology. The hardware products need to be designed with durability in mind, including resistance to water, humidity, dust, dirt and extreme heat, he said.
Digital India Programme
Digital India Programme of the Union Government which aims to transform India to a connected economy, he said and added that the progra-mme aims to connect 2.5 lakh villages across India through broadband highways, public internet access, universal access to mobile connectivity, e-governance, e-kranti and information to all. It aims to empower citizens – especially rural citizens – by making them digitally literate and by making available the digital resources in their native languages with a view to making their participation a reality.
“The Digital India Programme encompasses that by the end of 2018, India would emerge as advanced digital economy. With digitisation, 2.50 lakh gram panchayats will get broadband facility, covering entire rural India. Also, with the availability of pan-India network, emergency services will become mobile. By 2019, 2.50 lakh villages will have access to broadband, along with universal phone connectivity, 4 lakh public internet access points and wifi hotspots for schools, colleges, and citizens,” he explained.
Hon degrees given away
Mangalore University presented honorary doctorate to well-known Kannadanovelist S L Bhyrappa (DLitt), Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research Director Dr C N Manjunath (DSc) and A J Group of Institutions Chairman A J Shetty (DLitt) on the occasion. Minister for Higher Education T B Jayachandra, who is also the Pro Chancellor of the University, presented the degrees.
Dr S L Bhyrappa said the DLitt degree was a special honour as it was a recognition from the people’s university.
“At a time when there was lack of facilities, Dakshina Kannada was a forerunner in education, health, banking, administration and other fields. In spite of the region not being bestowed with natural resources, it has progressed in all spheres of life with the entrepreneurship skills of its people,” he said.
“This is the land of stalwart writers, like Manjeshwara Govinda Pai and Sediyapu Krishna Bhat, and where the Kannada literature thrived. Apart from this, the land has contributed to culture thro-ugh Yakshagana. The district is also close to my heart as it has supported me as an author by encouraging all my writings,” he said.
Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research Director Dr C N Manjunath said that the DSc is a recognition to his service to the society.
“At Jayadeva Institute, we offer best medical facilities to people in a government set up. The Institute offers the highest number of cardiac beds – 1,150 – for people, as compared to any other cardiac institution in the country,” he explained.
A J Group of Institutions Chairman A J Shetty said that the DLitt degree is recognition of his service to the society, poor patients.
“Through my institutions, I want to work for deserving sections of the society,” he stated.
DH News Service