Bridging the Digital Divide: Ensuring Inclusive Technology Access

S Krishnan from MeitY emphasizes the critical need for inclusive technology access in a diverse linguistic landscape like India. Highlighting barriers related to language, age, and education, Krishnan outlines initiatives like internationalized domain names and the Bhashini project to democratize technology and combat cybercrime effectively.

On Universal Acceptance Day 2025, MeitY Secretary S Krishnan stressed the vital importance of making technology access more inclusive amid growing concerns over exclusionary barriers. Emphasizing language, regionality, age, and education as significant obstacles, Krishnan urged efforts to simplify technology access in India's linguistically diverse environment.

Highlighting practical initiatives, Krishnan pointed to the use of internationalized domain names and the government-backed Bhashini project. These efforts, he argued, facilitate seamless multilingual translation, enabling improved access to services and technologies across various demographics, thereby bridging the linguistic gap and supporting technology democratization.

Additionally, Krishnan underscored technology's role in fighting cybercrime through addressing information asymmetry, advocating for a balance between global openness and the preservation of local languages and cultures. This multidimensional approach is essential for inclusive internet governance in the face of global and local challenges.

(With inputs from agencies.)