Ten years ago, as Indians cast their votes, technology was merely an afterthought, much like adding a sprig of dhania to a bowl of dal. It was there, but nobody really noticed. Fast forward to 2024, and our politicians, like kids who just found out Santa isn’t real, are waking up to the challenges and possibilities of the tech reality. Once those votes are counted and results declared, you’d better buckle up, it’s going to be a bumpy ride!

The Manifesto Mishmash
Back in the day, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress (INC) tossed a few tech buzzwords into their manifestos. The BJP, in its signature style, touted technology as the magic wand to boost farm incomes and make entitlements sexier. Meanwhile, the INC, always the overachiever, proposed a laundry list of digital rights reforms, complete with access, free expression, and privacy—because nothing says “vote for us” like promising to protect your cat videos from government snooping.

Then there were the others: The All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) advocated for legal reforms on surveillance (because Big Brother needs rules too), the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) wanted to ban obscene social media content (sorry, meme lords), the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) dreamed of a CCTV utopia, and the Samajwadi Party (SP) aimed to expedite the NATGRID mass surveillance programme (because who doesn’t love a good spy thriller?).

Digital Disconnect
As of December 31, 2023, India boasted 904.54 million broadband subscribers, according to TRAI data. The BJP, predictably, patted itself on the back for this “Digital India” triumph. But hold the applause, because the real picture is as pixelated as a 1990’s video game. This connectivity boom has mostly benefited urban, male, upper-income groups, leaving vast swathes of the population offline and wondering if they missed an email.

Other parties are now scrambling to point out the obvious: the uneven distribution of digital growth. Rural areas are still waiting for their broadband fairy godmother, while urban elites enjoy their fifth streaming service. Political discourse on universal internet connectivity remains underdeveloped, much like a college student’s term paper written the night before the deadline.

The Shutdown Shindig
Remember the good old days when internet shutdowns were a rare phenomenon? Well, those days are gone. Despite the Telecommunications Act of 2023, the Modi government continues to wield its shutdown powers like a toddler with a new toy. Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, Rajasthan—no state is safe from the dreaded “internet lockdown.” This disproportionately affects millions of lower-income Indians who rely on their smartphones for everything from banking to binge-watch on Netflix.

Beyond the Broadband: The Real Issues
The next government will need to tackle a plethora of tech issues that make dealing with a slow internet connection seem like child’s play. From coercive digitizing of public services (because everyone loves bureaucratic red tape in digital form) to mass surveillance, and from online abuse targeting women and minorities to cyber theft and data breaches—the list is longer than a Bollywood movie runtime.

The Global Race: Keeping Up with the Joneses
While our politicians debate the finer points of Wi-Fi distribution and porn leaks in Parliament, the rest of the world is racing ahead. China, under President Xi Jinping’s mystical “new productive forces” campaign, is transforming its rust belt into a tech hub. The US, led by President Joe Biden, is flexing its muscles with hefty investments in advanced technology sectors. Even Europe, with President Emmanuel Macron at the helm, is demanding a slice of the tech pie with massive subsidies and investments.

India’s Tech Future: Ready or Not?
The late great Rajiv Gandhi shook up the status quo, when he introduced India to the computer revolution some 40 years ago. In the past decade, India has made some strides in technology under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Digital services delivery, renewable energy investments, semiconductor production, snooping on citizens, and AI capabilities have all seen a boost. However, if India wants to join the global tech elite, it needs more than just manifesto promises. A comprehensive overhaul of technology departments, increased national R&D expenditure, and greater private sector participation are crucial.

Needed: The Great Tech Awakening
As our politicians dust off their keyboards and Google “how to tech,” it’s clear that India’s journey into the tech future will be anything but smooth. With a mix of outdated policies, uneven growth, and a global tech race that waits for no one, the next government will have its hands full. One thing is certain: the days of technology being an afterthought in Indian politics are over.

The new government in June 2024 had better take the new technology really seriously.

Now, let’s see if they can figure out how to turn on the Wi-Fi!

EFFKAY

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