Setho ka Gaon

1. What do you think about the adoption of UPI globally? What will be its potential impact on India’s soft power on the global stage? 
 
I think this is a great opportunity for India to make an impact on the global technology frontier. The global adoption of UPI will not only make India a leader in the digital payment technology, but will also have positive implications for retails trade and transactions. This will greatly reduce the costs and delays associated with cross-border transactions, which should enhance our trading relations overseas .  
 
What significance do Indian tech innovations hold in the face of growing inequalities in the society?
 
This is a more complex issue which is related to the biased nature of  the technological changes that have been taking place over the last 20 years, which has not only left the poorer (low or unskilled) section of the population out of the labour market, but also restricted their access to certain kinds of goods and services. This exclusion due to the biased nature of technological progress is more pronounced in the digital sector which requires people to have access to digital devices such as computers and smartphones as well as some basic digital literacy. In the absence of a broad based education policy geared towards generating high quality skilled workers who can complement the innovations at the technology frontier, Indian tech revolution is unlikely to bring in significant changes in the overall productivity level across the workforce.  
 
Should growth in India focus around bolstering global standing or indigenous needs and requirements? 
 
I think there is no necessary conflict between these two goals. Bolstering global standing - especially through innovations in technology - often is an outcome of R&D efforts by private sector enterprises who want to improve their global business. On the other hand, catering to the needs and requirements of the local population is the responsibility of the government. In most social democracies (which include high income countries like Denmark, Sweden, Norway), these dual objectives are attained by maintaining a thriving corporate sector on the production side, and a proactive government sector on the social side which takes care of the basic needs of its citizens such as social security, education, health. There is no reason why India cannot replicate this model of development.
 
What is your take on the digitisation of poor economies? Is it sustainable? 
 
Digitisation - if accessible to all - can improve social welfare. The problem is  that if the services are provided by the private players, then its access may be unequal. If the government can maintain universal access (e.g., free/cheap internet, low cost digital devices) then it can be a boon. But it requires a rational government policy towards monitoring of private players.
 
Are there any loopholes in present legislation that are not duly acknowledged by legislators that may cause damage to the goal of digitisation of our economy? 
 
I think in a country like India, where the cyber security measures are not very well-developed, any legislation on digitalisation without proper checks and balances can backfire.  It can increase the possibility of cyber crimes and frauds - more so when the majority of the population are not digitally savvy. 
 
If there is one aspect of the economy that should not be subject to technological innovation, then which one do you feel is it and why? 
 
Forest areas and nature reserves. These should be protected from forces of modernization and technological innovation; otherwise there might be negative environmental impact in the long run. 
 
Is sustainable development synonymous to digitisation of an economy? Why/Why not? 
 
No. Digitisation is neither necessary nor sufficient for sustainable development. The case in point is Indian agriculture. The Indian agricultural sector currently has lowest sectoral productivity and the highest share of employment. The only possible way to improve overall labour productivity is therefore to make agriculture more productive. But that cannot be attained by digitisation. For the sake of sustainability, one needs government-backed technological change directed specifically towards the agriculture sector.  The Green revolution was one such example.
 
Do you think it is wise to divert resources to digitisation of the Indian economy given the severe lack of efforts to address developmental issues like poverty, illiteracy, etc?
 
As I had said earlier digitisation - and the associated inventions and innovations - can be easily left to private firms. It is in their interest to undertake such activities. The only government action required there is in terms of monitoring and ensuring cheap access. But social sector issues such as poverty, illiteracy, child mortality require direct government initiative and allocation of public resources. 
 
Which sector(s) of the economy, according to you, need to be digitized on a priority basis?
 
Banking sector. 
 
What is the impact that technology can make to alleviate the developmental concerns of India?
 
I think I have already answered this question. See answer to Q.3.