Digital India for a blood-less cyber war, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday launched Digital India project, which is being touted as one of his most ambitious schemes. The project which aims to connect over 2.5 lakh villages with broadband internet connectivity was launched in the presence of country's top industrialists, including Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani, Bharti Group chief Sunil Bharti Mittal, Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani, Tata Group's Cyrus Mistry and Aditya Birla Group chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla.

Apart from Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Communications and Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar, veteran BJP leader LK Advani was also present during the function.

Highlights of PM Modi's speech:

6.08 pm: I dream of a Digital India where the world looks to India for the next big idea

6.07 pm: I dream of a Digital India where high speed digital I-ways unite the nation. Where knowledge is strength and empowers people

6.06 pm: I dream of a Digital India where govt services are easily available to citizens, where access to information knows no barriers

6.05 pm: I dream of a Digital India where govt is open and governance is transparent

5.58 pm: I dream of a Digital India where high speed digital I-ways unite the nation. Where knowledge is strength and empowers people

5.57 pm: We must assure the world through innovation that if it is a product of India, the world is secure in the cyber world

5.56 pm: The world is so worried about cyber security. One click can change a lot of things

5.55 pm: Youth of our nation can use "Design In India" to give more power to Digital in India, I call on the youth of my nation for that

5.54 pm: What is the reason that innovations do not happen in our nation? Like Make In India, "Design In India" is as essential

5.53 pm: Govt is ready to help start-ups in whatever way we can. We need to push the youth of our nation, help them

5.52 pm: IT revolution has come and we shouldn't lose this chance to make a mark

5.49 pm: The day isn't far when banking will become paperless and premise-less

5.45 pm: We need to understand the change that is taking place today and go with it. Technology plays a huge role in that

5.45 pm: Very soon e-governance will be replaced by 'm-governance' and the 'm' doesn't stand for Modi, it stands for mobile.

5.44 pm: In the past, people lived beside rivers. Then came highways. Now they will set up homes where optical fiber cables pass through

5.43 pm: If the demographic dividend will not get digital strength then we won't be able to yield fruits of it globally

5.42 pm: Time has changed. Back in the day when we visited someone, the kid in the house used to play with your glasses or pen. Now the kids go for your phone. Thats how much technology-oriented the world has become. And we need to go with the times.

5.43 pm: I am confident that the dreams of crores of Indians will be fulfilled

5.40 pm: Want to congratulate Ravi Shankar Prasad and his team. They have used a comprehensive integrated approach to change India's future

The project, which is being described as India's e-revolution, will see an investment of nearly Rs 1,13,000 crore. The 'information of all' scheme aims to make internet available like PCOs. The larger goal of Digital India includes broadband connectivity in all panchayats, Wi-fi in all the schools and universities and public Wi-fi hotspots in all important cities by 2019. It will be deployed in delivering services in areas like health, education, agriculture and banking.

Prime Modi unveiled various government schemes under the Digital India programmes like the Digital Locker, e-education and e-health at the event, which was attended by nearly 10,000 people. The digital locker aims at minimising use of physical documents and enabling sharing of e-documents across agencies.

Speaking during the launch event, Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani announced that his company will invest nearly Rs 2.5 lakh crore across Digital India pillars. "This is a momentous occasion in the history of modern India. Digitisation is changing how we live, work," Ambani said.

Tata Group chairman Cyrus Mistry said: "I commit Tata Group's wholehearted participation to make this a century of India innovation. TCS has been active in e-governance programmes. The Government of India's Digital India programs has been received overwhelmingly and with enthusiasm by industry."

Sharing his views on the occasion, Wipro chairman Azim Premji said PM Narendra Modi's vision for Digital India is a first step forward to empower citizens with technology. "India Today + Information Technology = India Tomorrow has become a staple mantra of IT firms," Premji said.

Announcing that his company will invest $7 billion in next 5 years in network rollout and infrastructure and digital space, Aditya Birla Group chairman KM Birla said, "The PM has articulated a bold vision for our digital future. We applaud this momentous launch."

"We will take 4G to the masses, makes e-health accessible. This initiative can transform the nation in the shortest possible timeframe. Who better to lead it than our PM," Bharti Airtel chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal added.

Airbus CEO Dr. Bernhard Gerbert also extended his support to Digital India project, saying the scheme will revolutionise Indian economy and will help the country to grow rapidly.