Interview with Mr. Ravi Gupta about eINDIA2007
eGovBlog presents today an interview with Mr. Ravi Gupta, Director, Centre for Science, Development and Media Studies (CSDMS), organiser of eINDIA2007 Conference. Mr.Gupta, who is also the Chief Editor of 4 monthly magazines -viz., i4d, Digital Learning, egov and eHealth- related to ICT and its contribution to various sectors of society, kindly shares with us his insights about this major event that will take place in New Delhi, 31 July - 03 August 2007.
eGB: Mr. Gupta, can you give us an overview about the eINDIA2007?
RG: eINDIA2007 conference brings the right mix of quality delegates Indian Delegates unparalleled at any other INDIAN forum. The speakers and delegates will be from Central Government,State Governments, academic institutions, industry, and civil society.Being an inclusive, consultative and constructive ICT for Development forum - the largest and only one of its kind in India - promoting and propagating the use of ICT for Development through its seven seminal, different but interrelated conferences, the event will address the implications of the digital divide, identify and explore opportunities for a resurgent digital India. The exhibition, unlike many other general IT fairs, it addresses the need to bring region’s top public sector buyers at one place thus saving time and resources of focused suppliers.
eGB: What are the main topics to be addressed in this edition?
RG eINDIA2007 aims to build a neutral platform for sharing knowledge and collaboration and strategic networking for ICT4D. The larger vision is to contribute to creative ideas and processes that can bridge the digital divide and connect practitioners. The topics that will be covered be – e-Government, Digital Learning, Telecentres, Mobiles and Services, e-Agriculture, Community Radio and e-Health.
eGB: Are there specific goals to be fulfilled this year?
RG: We hope to:
- To raise awareness about use of ICT applications in the different sectors like governance, education, health and agriculture.
- Take up the recommendations of the deliberations to the policy makers for appropriate policy change/modifications.
- Build a community of practitioners to be a knowledge pool for knowledge sharing, capacity building and advocacy.
eGB: What is unique about the conference?
RG: Most of the international conferences held in the field are technology related. There is a huge task to sensitise the technology developers and market players on development aspects of equitable access and services that they can contribute to. Through the eIndia conference we will provide an interface between the civil society and policy makers and technology developers.
