• Message from Shri Pramod Mahajan, Minister, Information Technology

• Message from Shri P. V. Jayakrishnan, Secretary, Information Technology

• Message from Shri Prakash Javadekar, Chairman

Message from Shri Pramod Mahajan, Minister, Information Technology
Government of India

Perhaps for the first time in the history of industrialisation, we are witnessing the growth of a technology which has a capability to bridge the gap between haves and have nots. Information Technology in its fully convergent form encompassing various forms of information delivery systems, such as Television, Radio, Newspapers, Books, Computers, Internet, etc. into one integrated environment, provides a unique opportunity to touch the lives of everyone irrespective of various forms of divisions in the society. Government firmly believes that India’s capabilities in the field of Information Technology not only provide an opportunity to the country to emerge as an IT super power in the world but will also be a major vehicle for all round socio-economic development in the country. To ensure that the benefits of an IT based economy reach the people at large, we have adopted a two fold strategy. While on one hand, government has initiated number of steps to ensure that Indian IT industry grows at a fast pace in line with international trends, on the other hand, it intends to take all possible measures to ensure that benefits of this technology reach the common man even in the remotest part of the country.

The Working Group on Information Technology for Masses has been constituted with the purpose of formulating a set of policy initiatives to be implemented not only by the government but by the industry and enterpreneurs, in general, in the country to achieve wide spread application of IT in all possible areas in the shortest possible time. Through this Web Site, the Working Group will be enriched by suggestions from people across the world who have direct interest in faster economic growth of this large nation.

Message from Shri P. V. Jayakrishnan, Secretary, Information Technology
Government of India

Government has recognised Information Technology as one of the core sectors in the country to catalyse faster economic growth. In recent years it has set in motion a number of regulatory and promotional processes with a view to facilitate and ensure high growth rate in IT industry. The overall objective is to enable the nation to emerge as a major global player in the field of Information Technology by the year 2008. Information Technology provides a unique opportunity to improve the quality of life of the people in the country. Unless the government acts as an enabler and facilitator to ensure the reach of IT to the common man in the country, it will not be possible for industry in the long run to grow at a faster pace and on a sustained basis. A Working Group on IT for Masses has been set up and its report when received should enable us to formulate policies which would ensure large scale penetration of IT in the country in the shortest possible time. I am eagerly looking forward to the recommendations of the Working Group in this regard.

Message from Shri Prakash Javadekar, Chairman of the Working Group on Information Technology for Masses

The overall vision of the Working Group on IT for Masses is to ensure that the benefits accrued from the fast-paced development of IT industry reach the common man in the remotest part of the country. The Working Group is formulating its recommendations around the basic theme of Enabling and Empowering the people so that IT based services could spread at a mass scale not only through large corporate and industrial houses in the country but also through widespread participation and enterpreneurship of self-employed people. With a view to create awareness amongst the people regarding the benefits of IT in their day-to-day lives, WG plans to suggest a mass campaign in the country.

In the process of formulating its recommendations, Working Group would like to invite suggestions on steps required to be initiated by the government as well as non-governmental and private sector organisations to ensure widespread use of Information Technology with a view to improve the socio-economic condition of the people in the country. The suggestions can be sent by email to the Working Group at itformasses@nic.in.