“Technology Connects Us, Unites Us and Empowers us With the Authority to Command Future”…

‘Technology’ and ‘Economy’ go hand in hand. Technological advancement is the primary contributor in economic development and accelerates the growth of an underdeveloped nation. Technology is a multilevel framework, where each level contributes differently to the overall progress of an organization or individual. High level technologies produce rapid growth and keep state economy poignant. Progress halts when technology becomes constant. Regular inventions and innovations are essential for success.

Why Does India Celebrate National Technology Day on May 11?

Realizing its role in evolution, since 1999, the Indian government has been observing May 11 as national technology day every year. In case you didn’t know, we Indians celebrate May 11 as National Technology Day because:

• Back in 1998 on this day, the Indian army detonated 3 nuclear bombs in the Pokhran test range, under the guidance of R. Chidambaram and former president APJ Abdul Kalam.

• The DRDO (Defense Research and Development Organisation) tested Trishul (a short-range missile) and Hansa (India’s first indigenous aircraft) in Bangalore.

• The technology board of India commemorates tech experts with national awards for their contribution to indigenous technology.

As evident, effective governance is dependent on building concrete profitable partnerships and a strong infrastructure based on comprehensive digital architecture. Over the years, Rajasthan, the largest state in India has produced academicians, tech experts and entrepreneurs—success which is impossible without implementation of modern technologies. The state observes Rajasthan IT Day—a novel step to celebrate technology that changes thousands of lives around us. Keeping up with this tradition, Rajasthan rides the digital wave to a bright, successful future.

Here are 7 significant technological innovations that changed the fate of Rajasthan.

1. RajNET

RajNET is a multimode connectivity network linking 9,894 Gram Panchayats and 183 municipal areas through VSAT and terrestrial linkages. It delivers direct benefits and updated information of government-run schemes like Bhamashah, e-Mitra and MNREGA to beneficiaries in remote regions of Rajasthan.

2. E-Mitra

45,000 eMitra centers in Rajasthan provide a single window access to 325 government services on a Kiosk locator map. Launched in 2004, these eMitra centers provide 250 B2C and G2C services including e-commerce, banking, tele-medicines and bill payments to 33 districts in Rajasthan.

3. Bhamashah

Bhamashah Yojana: a single powerful weapon that empowers Rajasthan women with decision making abilities. Bhamashah card is the key to free medical services, state-level scholarships, start-up loans and crop and livestock loans for BPL families, offered by Rajasthan government.

4. Abhay Command Centre

Abhay Command Control Centre—the first fully digital, police control room provides a list of complete security services for protecting Jaipurites. The centre ropes in an advanced emergency helpline to discover caller location, detect nearest police vehicle via AVLS and direct it to the crime scene. Advanced forensic investigation lab and intelligent traffic management units are added advantages that come with it.

5. PoS Machine based Ration Delivery at Annapurna Bhandars

Annapurna Bhandars are fair-price ration delivery shops, comparable to rural malls. The futuristic stores were launched to strengthen the existing PDS (public delivery service) chain in Rajasthan. The stores are furnished with 47,000 PoS machines and micro-ATMS. Ration is distributed to needy individuals by swapping their Aadhar linked Bhamashah cards and payments are made digitally to ensure fair distribution of resources on record.

6. TripMyWay, LezGo & Rajasthan Tourism App

LezGo, TripMyWay and Rajasthan Tourism App, as name suggests, are travel-based applications that offer tourists direct access to rich cultural and historic heritage of Rajasthan via GPS-enable, interactive map of Rajasthan. 360 degree periscope view, audio/video tours and bookmarking of public landmark are some features that make travel convenient.

7. NCERT eBook App

This year, the Rajasthan education board digitalized 17 English and 36 Hindi course books for government school students. These books are available on the NCERT ebook App. The app has separate sections for academic results where parents can monitor their child’s progress and register complaints and a training section offering tips on effective teaching. The idea is to maintain transparency and flow of information between teachers, students, parents and the education board.

8. Hamsafar

Chittorgarh collector Inderjeet Singh’s brainchild—Hamsafar app aims at reducing road accidents in Rajasthan before 2020. The app is developed to keep up with the WHO’s SDG (Sustainable Development Goal) for ensuring safety of individuals on road. The app involves tips on safe driving and dealing with road accidents. It connects police officer, hospitals and district administrations with users in need of rescue in case of accidents.

By innovating key sectors of development with technological advancements, the state intends to accumulate more capital. A state cannot depend on technology import for a long time. The government needs to spend on scientific and technical research to speed up development, which is exactly what they’re aiming for.