Skip to main content

Speech of Mr Kapil Sibal, Hon’ble Minister for Communications and IT, GOI, at the IGF, Baku

By


Internet has evolved itself into a powerful, ubiquitous, empowering and liberating medium, even though only a fragment of its full potential is known and has been exploited by us so far. In its borderless cyberspace, internet provides limitless opportunities for freedom of speech and expression.  Internet, perhaps is the nearest approximation to the utopian world of freedom, envisioned by one of our greatest poets, Dr Rabindranath Tagore. He said and I quote:
“Where the mind is without fear,Where the head is held high,Where knowledge is free,Where the world has not been broken into fragments by narrow domestic walls,…..”
Internet is greatly significant for India and, we believe, India is greatly significant for the Internet.
These twin beliefs stem from two simple propositions. Firstly, Internet with its immense transformational potential, can provide the means for sustainable and inclusive development in a country of 1.25 billion people, in areas such as education, healthcare, financial inclusion and service delivery. Secondly, with an internet user-base of over 125 million, which is likely to grow to about half-a-billion over the next few years, and an established mobile base of 950 million, coupled with a large and talented pool of human resources, India will be a key player in the cyber-world of tomorrow. In view of these complementary and mutually-reinforcing positive externalities, India is deeply committed to the free and unbridled growth and development of the Internet, and is determined on its own and persuade others, to exploit this tremendous opportunity.

At the outset, let me state that, in the true spirit of the vision outlined in the Tunis agenda, the issues of public policy related to the Internet have to be dealt with, by adopting a multi-stakeholder, democratic and transparent approach. It is my personal belief that the term ‘Internet Governance’ is an oxymoron. Internet, by its very nature, can not coexist with the concept of ‘governance’, which relates to a system designed for dealing with the issues of the physical world. The term ‘Governance’, immediately invokes concepts of those who govern and those who are governed, which have no relevance in cyber-space. Semantics apart, what we need today is to put in place a system designed for cyberspace – a system which is collaborative, consultative, inclusive and consensual, for dealing with all public policies involving the Internet.

Such a cyber-paradigm should, to my mind, rest on 4 pillars that are rooted in the fundamental principles of democracy, inclusive growth, transparency and accountability.

Firstly, it should be consultative, including all stakeholders in the decision-making process. The medium of Internet provides voice to the voiceless as never before in the history of mankind. This potential can be realized only by providing universal access and affordable devices. The Digital divide must be relegated to the past – instead, our communities must reap the benefits of the digital dividend. Such a consultative process should also factor regional and national sensitivities besides vast diversities in language and culture.

Secondly, it should be evolutionary, with the processes evolving through a dialogue that is continuous and continuing. This is in keeping with the very nature of the Internet, which is mutli-dimensional, dynamic and evolving. A set of static frameworks is inappropriate for meeting the ever-changing requirements of the Internet space. 

Thirdly, it should put in place a mechanism for accountability, in respect of crimes committed in cyberspace, such that the Internet is a free and secure space for universal benefaction. A new cyber jurisprudence needs to be evolved to deal with cyber crime, without being limited by political boundaries and cyber-justice can be delivered in near real time.

Lastly, it shall be duly reflective of the ground realities as to the manner of representation of stakeholders at all consultative forums.

In order to deliberate on the approaches to the design and establishment of such a cyber-paradigm, India recommends the constitution of a Working Group on Enhanced Cooperation.  If we put together our collective wisdom, I am sure, we shall be able to soon make a transformational shift from the Internet of today to the Equinet of tomorrow.

Source : Press Information Bureaau
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Folk Dances of India

By
India is a land of diverse cultures and traditions. Each region of the country has a unique culture, which is also prominently visible in its various art forms. Almost all the regions of the country have their specific folk music and dance, which proves to be a wonderful way of expression of their community and its traditions. Though these folk dances are not as complex as the classical dance forms, they are very beautiful, because of the essence of rawness in them. Be it the Bihu of Assam, Dol-Cholom of Manipur, Hikal of Himachal Pradesh or Chhau of Bihar, each of the Indian folk dance forms comes across as a reflection of the deep sited beliefs and traditions of a particular culture. The folk dances of any community are performed on almost every special occasion and festival, to express elation and joy. These dances are also considered to be auspicious by many of the tribal communities in the country. Many folk dances are dedicated to the presiding deity of the specific commu...
1 comment
Read more

K. G. Balakrishnan

By
Konakuppakatil Gopinathan Balakrishnan  (b. 12 May 1945) is presently the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission of India. He is a former Chief Justice of India. He was the first judge from the state of Kerala to become the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. He was also the first person of Dalit origin to ascend to the post of the Chief Justice in the Supreme Court of India. His tenure lasting more than three years has been one of the longest in the Supreme Court of India. Public stances, opinions and views Balakrishnan has tried to exempt the Office of the Chief Justice of India from the purview of the Right to Information Act.   He ordered the Supreme Court registry to file an appeal before the Supreme Court against the Delhi High Court judgement making the office of the CJI amenable to the RTI act.   He has also spoken about the need for amending the RTI act in the interests of the right to privacy. Bal...
Post a Comment
Read more

DBT’s Revolutionary Finding for Public Health: Zinc Significantly Lowers Risk of Treatment Failure in Young Children with Serious Infections

By
The Secretary of Department of Biotechnology, Government of India today claimed to have made a significant stride in the field of improving public health with biotech researches. Speaking to Press he said that a revelation of a recent study by DBT will help in saving the new born children provided its outcome is put into proper application. He said treating young children with suspected serious bacterial infection with zinc in addition to standard antibiotics significantly reduces the likelihood of treatment failure (measured as the need for secondary antibiotic treatment within 7 days, need for intensive care, or death within 21 days), according to new research published  Online First  in The Lancet. In 2010, worldwide, infections were responsible for nearly two-thirds of deaths in children under 5, with around two-fifths of deaths occurring within the first month of life. Of the 1 million neonatal deaths that occur in India every year, more than a quarter are attributed ...
2 comments
Read more