IT+IT= IT is Modi’s new formula for nation’s future
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday evolved a new formula — IT plus IT is equal to IT or Information Technology plus Indian talent is equal to India tomorrow — for the country to adapt to new technologies and stay ahead of others.
Launching an Integrated Case Management Information System (ICMIS) at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi that will enable the Supreme Court to go paperless, the PM said there was a generation gap in adoption of technology that could be solved with a change in mindset. ICMIS will enable digital filing of the cases and allow litigants to easily access the information online.
Modi lauded the adoption of technology in the judiciary, saying it was helpful particularly in criminal cases where the introduction of forensic sciences has helped render justice to a large number of people.
Noting that a piece of A4 size paper takes 10 litres of water to prepare, Modi said courts adopting technology and going digital will help save jungle, electricity which in turn will address various environmental issues.
The Prime Minister said though India was lauded over for its fine space technology, the country is lagging behind in application of science. He said the hurdle in adopting new technology does not lie in software or hardware, but in mindsets.
He also made a reference to India’s moon mission and how it was a success on the first try with a budget less than most Hollywood films. He added India must also cope with the new technology to avoid being left behind.
Modi also referred to a recently held 36-hour non-stop hackathon event, in which about 42,000 students participated to solve about 400 problems faced by various government departments. Modi said the students, aged between 18 and 22 years, were able to solve most of the problems, solutions to which have been adopted by many departments.
The Prime Minister requested the legal fraternity to register themselves with the department of justice to provide pro-bono help to poor litigants across the country without any charge.
Chief Justice of India Jagdish Singh Khehar said he proposes to integrate the system with all the 24 high courts and the subordinate courts in the future.