BJP's IT vision

Recently BJP released a first of its kind document in India, "BJP’s IT VISION TRANSFORMING BHARAT" which puts forth BJP's vision for India from the IT perspective. It is quite an interesting read, some little known facts, some election stunts, but most of all a document which really promises to make India great. The document forms part of an overall strategy of BJP to target the urban internet aware public. You might have noticed "Advani for PM" Google ads on your favorite sites. I am not here to criticize their campaign, in fact i quite like it. Previously in all elections I felt a little disconnected, living in a hostel far away from any public contact, the elections were alive only as some headlines on timesofindia.com or in the morning newspaper. This time BJP has thrown the elections in my face, I spend practically all my time surfing and browsing. Now, where ever I go I see L.K. Advani campaigning for PM. I am sure a lot of others feel the same.

Now, coming back to the document. The vision puts forth the policies and plans that BJP intends to implement if it comes to power. In this IT is made to relate with every important national issue. Education, Employment, Governance, Healthcare, National Security, Safety, Justice, etc. But some policies are really eye catching. It is written that about one-crore laptops worth Rs. 10,000 would be distributed to students across India. It may seem a political stunt at first but wait, the laptops are "fully loaded" (in BJP's own words). The laptops would have Core2Duo processor, 2GB RAM, 250Gb hard disk space, 2-megapixel built-in camera, etc. This surely looks like they might have gone too far in their dreams but they try to provide a reasonable explanation as well. According to them after the mobile phones began being manufactured in India the prices dropped like anything and now the phones are affordable to all. Similarly, by forcing manufacturers to manufacture the chips and other hardware inside India they plan to make laptops just as affordable.

This also brings in their Hardware policy. They say

In 2007-2008, India’s electronics (IT + industrial & consumer electronics) hardware demand was $36 bn. However, only 50% of that was produced domestically, the rest being imported. Also, what was produced domestically represents a miniscule 2.5% of the $ 1.5 trillion global hardware manufacturing industry. Coming specifically to IT hardware (a component of the overall electronics hardware pie), 70% of the $ 10 bn domestic IT hardware requirement is imported.

What they plan is to create a robust hardware industry. The goal is also kept reasonable, to capture 5% of the world market by 2012.

Next, what they promise is really what India needs, no not the National ID card but a telemedicine service not only for the remote areas but for every Primary Health Care Center in India. Their plan is to connect all these PHC's center under a national network and they also want to maintain health records for each and every citizen. A novel idea in all aspects but it might take a long time to implement.

Of course there are some poll stunts like a smart phone for every BPL family. Now, what will a person who is not sure about his two basic meals do with a smart phone. There is only one answer, sell it. Instead, why not decrease the corruption in Public distribution systems using this IT. This would surely make a lot more difference in their life.

Overall, I would really like to congratulate BJP for introducing a document which has really been thought through and which presents a vision which is really possible.