'In India, technology is not an agent of exclusion, but inclusion’: PM Modi at UN Geospatial Congress

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday listed two pillars of India’s development journey – technology and talent – saying that both were important while stressing that technology was not an agent of exclusion but an agent of inclusion. Addressing the UN World Geospatial International Con gress virtually, he said, “In India’s development journey two pillars – technology and talent – are very important. Technology brings transforma tion. In India, technology is not an agent of exclusion, it’s an agent of inclusion.” Welcoming International del egates, the Prime Minister said, “the people of India are happy to host you on this his toric occasion as we build our future together.” The Prime Minister said that the city of Hyderabad, where the conference is being organised, is known for its culture and cuisine, its hospitality and hi tech vision. Pointing out that the theme of the conference, ‘Geo-enabling the Global Village: No one should be left behind’, can be seen in the steps India has taken over the last few years. “We have been working on a vision of Antyodaya which means empowering the last person at the last mile, in a mission mode” he said. PM Modi said that as many as 450 million people, a population greater than that of USA, were brought under banking net and 135 million people, about twice the population of France, were given insurance. Sanitation facilities were taken to 110 million families and tap water connections to over 60 million families, he added, un derlining that “India is ensuring no one is left behind.” He said that technology and talent are the two pillars that are key to India’s development jour ney. Technology brings transforma tion, the Prime Minister said, citing the example of JAM trin ity which has delivered welfare benefits to 800 million people seamlessly and of the tech platform that powered the world’s largest vaccination drive. The Prime Minister highlighted the role of geospatial technol ogy in driving inclusion and progress.