Founder and former CEO of Genpact, chairman of Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations.
Discussed the role of technology in India’s development and the evolution of DPGs.
Emphasized the importance of digital infrastructure for transforming healthcare and education.
Mr. Shankar Maruwada
CEO and co-founder of X-Step.
Focused on the rise of tech entrepreneurs solving social problems through technology.
Advocated for the integration of digital public assets to create last-mile innovations.
Ms. Sudha Srinivasan
Leads the Center for Social Innovation at Nudge Institute.
Worked on creating awareness and promoting livelihood opportunities.
Emphasized the importance of public-private partnership.
Key Themes Discussed
Role of Technology:
Facilitates leapfrogging of development stages in various sectors, especially healthcare and education.
Technology can revolutionize service delivery and increase efficiency.
Last-Mile Innovations:
Need to address local problems through innovative solutions using available digital infrastructure.
Successful tech entrepreneurs are solving issues like education and farmer advisory.
Government's Role:
Create policies to promote participation from the private sector and civil society.
Ensure seamless integration and awareness of digital public infrastructure among citizens.
Entrepreneurial Spirit:
Encouragement for socially conscious entrepreneurs to leverage digital infrastructure for societal benefit.
The need for problem-solving mindset among entrepreneurs in underserved areas.
Challenges Identified
Awareness and Connectivity:
Many people lack awareness and access to digital resources.
Importance of enhancing internet penetration and user education.
Government Processes:
Need for government systems to be digitized to improve efficiency in service delivery.
Closing Remarks from Panelists
Mr. Maruwada: Technology changes behavior by enabling new capabilities, demanding more innovative solutions.
Ms. Srinivasan: Importance of collaboration between samaj (civil society), sarkar (government), and bazaar (market) for inclusive development.
Mr. Bhasin: India’s digital revolution can be a model for other countries, focusing on creating a sustainable ecosystem for entrepreneurs.
Conclusion
Emphasis on the potential for India to lead in digital public goods and the necessity of inclusive strategies to ensure no one is left behind in the digital revolution.