In India, lockdown started from 25th March is now about to complete its second extension ending on 31st May, totaling 68 days. Other than essential items, everything else has come to halt in the country. Some regions are doing very well, some are deterrent to change and slow and very few have failed drastically in containment of virulent disease. During all these days, certain experiments have seen positive signs. It is very important for policy makers and stakeholders to focus on successful steps during post-COVID days and adopt those to bring strength in development ecosystem.

Out of various positive effects (under observation), this small article will touch upon Digital Inclusion. We can clearly observe the increased use of technology and its expansion among various strata during lockdown period. New users are now more open to technology and old users are using it more effectively and efficiently. Digital inclusion is happening in some or the other way in our society; effecting education, finance and governance the most. Recent reports clearly show surging figure throughout the globe.

Schools, colleges, private coaching, other training institutions and private tutors are extensively using technology to deliver uninterrupted learning sessions as per their academic schedules. Technology used for the purpose is not new, but its usage has increased multifold with improved interface and user experience. Learners, teachers, trainers and guardians are now accepting it as a part of learning process and delivery; mainly in response to social distancing. Some ideas are still under way to conduct transparent and effective process of academic evaluation.

Financial service providers took technology to a different and more effective level for delivering services and also to increase awareness among its customers. Financial institutions working in agri-business domain have started converging their operations with the latest government announcement. The rural finance business for any NBFC-MFI largely depends upon social trust, regular contact with customers and ongoing income generation activity. Companies are using technology to increase awareness, counseling customers, managing risk etc. for its onboard clients to maintain regular contact during COVID time. New processes and products are still in experiment stage, but yes these are moving forward positively for a new technology and customer centered financial sector.

Government as a whole and its various departments at central and state level has increased the scope of technology through video conferences. This technology inclusion is not limited to government infrastructure; even at the lowest level Sarpanch is well connected with block development officer and other administrative department. Women of self-help groups are getting connected with central MIS managed by government under State Rural Livelihood Missions (in some state). The move brought out transparency and effective management of issues in stipulated time. Government is using technology at its peak for G2C and G2B transfer of benefits, this call for blend of new financial products and innovative process management. With some hit and trials, systems are still under progress for betterment of overall ecosystem.

While looking at this situation from inclusive growth point of view, it make sense if SHG gets order for making masks, sanitizer, PPE kits etc. directly from large distributor and get paid in their account, with information related to GST is available for government. Inclusive growth concept starts with productive citizen; giving them opportunity to get benefit from economic development and to add value to country’s development through their skills.

India is getting ready for new development era, where citizens have more effective and efficient role to play in economic development and receive equitable benefits.

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Views expressed above are the author's own.

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