Modi calls for use of tech, money for development
■ MODI SAID even after all the development, poverty and malnutrition have still not been eliminated... A large portion of money is invested on weapons.
Dubai, Feb. 11: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday cautioned the world against the misuse of cyberspace to ensure that they do not become a source of radicalisation, asserting that technology should be harnessed as a tool for development, not destruction.
The comments by Mr Modi at the World Government Summit in his plenary address comes at a time when the global community is trying to address the misuse and abuse of cyberspace by terrorists and hackers.
During the course of his address, Mr Modi highlighted the importance of assimilating technology with governance to ensure equitable growth and prosperity for all. He emphasised the role that technology was playing in India's development.
Mr Modi told the audience that India is aspiring to assume leadership position in Artificial Intelligence, Nano, cybser security and cloud computing.
He said even after all the development, poverty and malnutrition have still not been eliminated.
“On the other side we are investing large portion of money, time and resources on missiles and bombs. We must use technology as a means to development, not destruction,” he told the gathering that included Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Dubai/Muscat Feb. 11: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday cautioned the world against the misuse of cyberspace to ensure that they do not become a source of radicalisation, asserting that technology should be harnessed as a tool for development, not destruction.
He expressed concern over attempts by some people to radicalise the cyber space with the use of technology, referring to its use by jihadists to recruit cadres online.
India is the ‘Guest Country’ at the sixth edition of the World Government Summit, which is being attended by more than 4,000 participants from 140 countries.
“It is a matter of pride for not only me but also the 125 crore people of India that I have been called as the Chief Guest at the World Government Summit,” Modi said.
He hailed the use of technology by the Dubai government, saying a desert has been transformed.
Noting that 9.5 per cent of the world’s population lives below the poverty line, despite the tremendous population growth, he said, “today there are great challenges... Poverty, unemployment, education, housing and human catastrophes.”
After the Dubai trip, Modi on Sunday arrived here on a two-day visit on the last leg of his tour of three West Asian countries during which he would hold talks with the Sultan of Oman and other key leaders.
Modi will also meet Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said and Deputy Prime Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Affairs Sayyid Asa'ad bin Tariq Al Said.
Taking a dig at the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said India's image had suffered due to a long list of scams in the previous regime and his government worked hard to change the “style of misgovernance”.
Addressing the Indian diaspora at Oman’s capital where he arrived on Sunday on a two-day visit, Modi said that with the mantra of “minimum government, maximum governance”, his government was working to make the life of citizens easier.
“The country cannot progress in the 21st Century with a style of misgovernance. The long list of scams (in previous regime) had harmed India's image. We have worked hard to bring out the country from that phase of misgovernance,” he said.
Modi said his government has scraped 1,450 outdated laws, made procedures simple, pays attention to people’s problems with sincerity and take action on them as part of efforts to change governance in new India.