Digital divide and globalisation

IN INDIA, there has been a gradual shift towards usage of Information Technology in government, the public sector, the private sector as well as public services and education. However, usage of computers is yet to reach many homes. Undoubtedly, it was the computerisation of railway passenger reservation system in 1986 that brought computers closer to the masses. And, in the last two years, it is the Internet, e-commerce as well as Government's thrust that is bringing IT into the common man's life.

India has many advantages to become an important player in the global IT industry. By marshalling its vast human, industrial and technological resources, especially with expansion of its software sector, India can raise productivity of domestic manufacturing and services. There is even talk of infusing tangible productivity gains among various sectors and communities through the use of IT.

Cost and quality advantage

Indian companies are not only increasingly adapting to the international quality standards but are taking a leadership position. A World Bank study found that more vendors preferred to get their software developed in India for its high quality and low cost advantage. During 1999-2000 more than 185 of Fortune 500 companies outsourced their software development requirements in India.

Govt. incentives

It is the policy of the Government to encourage manufacturers and exporters to attain internationally accepted standards of quality for their products and services. According to the Export-Import Policy 2000, the Government recognises software companies which have acquired ISO 9000 series or IS/ISO 9000 series or ISO 14000 series or HACP or WHO-GMP or SEI CMM Level 2 and above accreditation/ certification. Double weightage is given on FOB or NFE exports made by such units for granting status certification (example Export House, Trading House, Star Trading House, Super Star Trading House).

In India, quality certification is provided by BIS, STQC and many private agencies. Indian companies also use the services of international agencies such as BVQI, KPMG and RWTUV to get quality certification.

The usage of computer has revolutionised office working and has helped in handling massive jobs like railway ticket booking and booking air tickets to global destinations. The computer driven IT has opened avenues for job seekers. So, in effect the computer has not robbed anybody of job opportunities but on the other hand, has resulted in more and more job opportunities. So, if someone is not adapting to computer application, it can be said there is a digital divide.

However, for many people the term means the difference between the haves and the have-nots, the literate and the illiterate, the rich and the poor and the developed and the underdeveloped.

American scenario

A series of studies by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration in the U.S. has reported that Americans' access to information tools such as the Internet and computers has increased - unfortunately, the gap also between ``haves'' and ``have nots'' - with greater disparities in access between the white and the Ispanic or black households.

The Clinton Administration had established DigitalDivide.gov as a clearing house for information about efforts to provide all Americans with access to the Internet and other information technologies. The Benton Foundation and the National Urban League, with sponsorship from several Internet and computer corporations, have created the digital divide network ``to enable and facilitate the sharing of ideas, information and creative solutions among industry partners, private foundations, non- profit organisations and governments.''

The Commerce Department's digital divide web site is a clearing house for information about efforts to provide access to the Internet and other information technologies crucial to economic growth and personal advancement.

Digital divide network is a clearing house on completed and ongoing efforts to expand access by underserved communities to the Internet and information technology. The web site includes news, research and data, grants and funding opportunities, and more.

Indian scene

The famous slogan in India to bridge the gap between the haves and the have-nots was Garibi Hatao, which means eliminate poverty. The Central and State governments consistently take measures to improve the life of the grassroots level citizens by extending ``Roti, Kapda and Makan'' which means ``food, clothes and a dwelling place,'' liberalisation of loan facility, rendering help to start small scale industries and educating the farmers about modern methods of farming. Significant progress was achieved in the medical and education fields. The process continues.

The disparity, in any case is not due to modernisation. In fact, modernisation ensures an overall improvement in the society. But the degree of improvement may differ for the different strata.

V. K. Subramanian General Manager, Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd., Chennai.

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