'IT industry needs to look beyond numbers'

MUMBAI, INDIA: Addressing the 19th edition of NASSCOM India Leadership Summit here on Tuesday, Kapil Sibal, Minister of Human Resource Development and Communications & IT asked the Indian IT sector to look beyond revenue numbers and use technology in empowering lives of population.

“When I look at technology, I look at it as an enabler. Success of technology depends on how many numbers of people it reaches thus empowering their lives. When I think of industry (IT) I don’t think of dollars and revenue numbers but I think of people; how many number of people can be connected by the industry,” Sibal said.

Calling ‘connectivity between individuals’ as the second global revolution, Sibal pointed out that through telecommunication and information technology today individuals across the globe can connect and can share information.

“So telecommunication and information technology, both are very important today,” Sibal stressed.

Further, stressing on the significance of information, he said that information is at the heart of freedom of speech, “You can’t say no, unless you have the power to know.”

Sharing his personal view on the IT industry, the minister said, “We are looking at IT sector in terms of how much tax and revenue we (government) can get, but need to look at how the industry (IT) can give power to people. IT industry needs to be looked differently, not as milking cows.”

"In the next 2-3 years, we are planning to connect every talukas with broadband connectivity and increase the size of data flow with fiber optic cables. And by giving the $35 dollar computers to students, we can change their own life as well as the community,” added Kapil Sibal.

He asked the IT community to bring the power of information technology in the field of education helping students access courses and getting admission through websites, helping patients in rural areas by telemedicine and reaching to people and bringing social innovation and development.