India's Digital Revolution Lifts Millions Out of Poverty: UN Applauds

During a talk in Rome, UN General Assembly President Dennis Francis praised India for its success in elevating 800 million people out of poverty primarily through digitalisation. Francis highlighted India's advancements in internet penetration, digital IDs, and financial inclusion as a model for addressing global inequality.

In a recent address in Rome, Dennis Francis, President of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, highlighted India's significant achievement in poverty alleviation through digitalisation. Speaking at the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, Francis underscored how digital tools, particularly smartphones, have empowered 800 million Indians over the last few years.

Francis pointed out that rural farmers in India, once detached from the banking ecosystem, now perform all transactions digitally. This transformation is bolstered by high internet penetration levels and widespread cell phone usage, which starkly contrasts with the limited digital adoption in many parts of the Global South.

The Indian government's initiatives, such as the Aadhaar biometric database, Jan Dhan bank accounts, and the UPI-based BHIM payment system, have propelled this digital leap. Francis also called for a revision of the international financial architecture to reflect modern realities, endorsing the UN's push for a Global Digital Compact by 2024.

(With inputs from agencies.)