CESS meet calls for equitable development
Hyderabad: The Centre for Economic and Social Studies (CESS) marked its foundation day with a distinguished lecture titled "Equitable Development Transformation with Technology: Relevance of the Indian Experience for Global South," at the BPR Vithal Auditorium on the CESS premises. Professor Sachin Chaturvedi, Director General of the Research and Information System for Developing Countries in New Delhi, delivered the Lecture.
With the world witnessing unparalleled technological progress, Professor Chaturvedi's address shed light on the widening chasm of income inequality aggravated by rapid technological advancements. He pinpointed skill-biased technological changes and the lack of vibrant innovation ecosystems in developing nations as primary culprits behind these growing disparities. The lecture called for a deep dive into the ramifications of technology, urging a shift in focus from mere income metrics to broader dimensions of access, equity, and inclusion.
Prof. J. Mahender Reddy, former Vice-Chancellor of ICFAI University, Hyderabad, presided over the event. Prof. E. Revathi, the Director of CESS, explained that CESS was established on 26th February 1980 and it is engaged in research in development studies by working on economic and social problems of the people. Prof C.H. Hanumantha Rao, Dr G.R. Reddy founder members of the Centre were present on the occasion.
In a compelling narrative of progress, Professor Sachin Chaturvedi illuminated India's remarkable journey in harnessing technology for transformative development. The spotlight was on India's strategic advancements towards fostering equality through technological innovation, with Professor Chaturvedi mapping out the country's path using four pivotal approaches: strategic planning, participatory development, enhancing capabilities, and removing barriers across vital sectors including health, agriculture, banking, finance, and energy. His analysis underlined India's dedicated push for inclusivity and innovation, setting a benchmark for development strategies.
Adding to the discourse, Professor Chaturvedi discussed the Access, Equity, and Inclusion (AEI) Index, a tool crafted from Indian experience to precisely gauge these critical dimensions. This pioneering framework not only highlighted India's leadership in equitable technological advancement but also many insights for nations in the Global South.
He also reiterated that India's strategic embrace of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and Digital Public Goods (DPG) signals a transformative era in equitable development, aiming to dismantle the barriers of the digital divide and guarantee universal access to crucial services. This innovative approach has revolutionized the realms of direct benefit transfers, financial inclusion, and the digital payments sector, blending market dynamics with regulatory vigilance to extend inclusive digital access across borders.
Prof. Chaturvedi also highlighted the success of the digital revolution in terms of India’s flagship initiatives such as Aadhaar, the Unified Payment Interface (UPI), CoWIN, and the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. Through these efforts, India has streamlined the delivery of services and bolstered financial inclusion, crafting a development paradigm centered on citizen welfare and rights. Similarly, India's trailblazing Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and Digital Public Goods (DPG) initiatives are casting a long shadow across the Global South, showcasing the vast potential of technology to pave the way for equitable development. This strategic endeavour not only cements India's status as a vanguard of digital innovation but also lights the way for countries chasing the dream of inclusive growth.
An in-depth examination of the keystones of India's digital success—its infrastructure, the move towards platform-based solutions, the democratization of data, and policies that encourage tech innovation and uptake—underscores the model's capacity to act as a beacon for other Global South nations. By navigating the tricky waters between market forces and state intervention, championing open-source solutions, and making access and inclusion top priorities, India's approach serves as a powerful template for leveraging technology in pursuit of a more equitable future.
He urged social scientists to work further to enrich the AEI framework. Other approaches like Responsible Research Innovation (RRI) and Scientific Social Responsibility (SSR) also enable equity in access and adoption of technology. According to the RRI framework in the European Union, at least 2% of the budget for technology innovation has to be contributed to make it accessible to those left behind. There is a need to engage science for societal welfare and a need for impact evaluation of Science Technology and Innovation (STI) programmes and institutions. Institutions like CESS need to take up these issues for research.
The Centre for Economic and Social Studies invited scholars, policymakers, practitioners, and the general public to join this enlightening discourse, which promised to not only celebrate the institution's legacy but also inspire a forward-looking dialogue on harnessing technology for a more equitable and inclusive future.