Integration through Knowledge Based Information Driven Economy

June 16, 2015

Author: tuhin

In the current era of globalization and integration, the concept of a knowledge based, information driven economy is considered the epitome of development, unraveling tools to usher in socio-economic development of the global society as a whole. Macro economists and experts have always been hounded by the question, as to what is the designated model of economic policy and growth enabling an inclusive and integrated nature of economic and social wellbeing.

There have been various analogies which have been debated over the years, often in a heated manner to derive an ideal way forward for integration and development, unfortunately despite the numerous hypothesis which have been formulated ambiguity in this matter remains. Given the ideological bias and demands which have dominated this debate for an ideal model, it is imperative that disagreements will persist.

However, irrespective of this ambiguity and the raging debate the common thread which has emerged with technological development and growth of IT and digitization is the availability of huge repository of data and information which can actually drive the whole world with the trends and analysis it can pitch. Therefore, it is this availability of resources which has stimulated the idea of a knowledge driven economy, leaving its footprint in each and every corner irrespective of the ideology one adheres or endorses.

The vast expanse of the technological landscape has ensured that the technocrats and scholars today are equipped to handle any problem at their disposal despite the complexities involved, courtesy the availability of time bound necessary data. The availability of data is a huge asset as it enables scholars to deliberate on trends and ensures that the decision makers are in position to make informed decisions, considerably reducing the margin of error.

Tapping into this trend of globalization of data trends and knowledge based economy, India with its own set of complex issues has been trying to, and rightly so reap the benefits of this new found data revolution which can provide incredible overview to issues in hand. The global trend on data and information is a good opportunity for India to jump into the bandwagon and make its way enabling socio economic empowerment through knowledge based information driven economy.

In this respect, India seems to have identified the benefits and definitely the deeds are in place to enable data and information to run our economy and development. India with its huge administrative machinery has always been rich when it comes to availability of data and information. For administrative purpose the Indian state has always collected huge amount of data which has become huge repository of potential energy. The transition of this potential energy into kinetic energy is the main hypothesis which one needs to look at here. In other words the availability of data was never the issue, it is the utility and the way it has been brought forth to address issues at hand which needs to be looked at.

The initiation of National Data Sharing and Accessibility Policy (NDSAP) followed up by the launching of India’s very own Open Government Data Portal has been major step towards enabling the collective goal of a knowledge based economy. Today India has a robust and dynamic platform which can prove to be an outlet for the huge volume of data which is available, exposing them to much needed further value addition with unmatched and desirable results. In addition to this, keeping in line with the global trends and initiative it is more than heartening to see that India has been at the forefront of Open
Government Data Initiative, speaking volumes of the importance and value which India attaches to the idea of knowledge driven economy and socio-economic development.

There is no doubting the intent here and it is very much in place, the challenge here is to convert this intent into action and take India forward on the path of knowledge based economy. The launch of Digital India has become one of the major proponents and catalyst towards knowledge economy and Open Government Data therefore forms a major pillar for Digital India in this aspect.

Identifying the potential of a data driven economy, India on its part has to work towards creating an atmosphere for data integration and seamless flow of information enabling an efficient levels of governance and public service delivery mechanism. The stakeholders here are numerous given the wide ranging governance and administrative machinery, getting them all on board requires a consorted effort so that the data at disposal is effectively used to impact each and every aspect of common man’s life, only then we can talk of data being an agent for socio economic empowerment, inclusion and integration.

Despite the inroads which have been made by the open government data platform courtesy NDSAP a lot more needs to be done. One can easily notice that the number of government departments which are contributing data to the platform is increasing but one cannot deny that the progress is slow. There are a lot of ministries and departments including the state and local governments who needs to be brought together to share data. Going by the numbers it is quite clear that major part of the government departments are yet to participate in this initiative and or rather initiate the process of participation.

Unless and until all the departments especially the state and the local governments become part of data sharing through this portal the utility and value of NDSAP will be confined to a particular level. The data shared by ministries have their utility to a certain extent. When one talks about open data impacting the daily life and routine of a common citizen, the bulk of the data for this should come from the state and local governments. The major part of dealing in a common man’s engagement with the government is with the local bodies starting from transportation, sanitation etc. Therefore it is essential to get all the government body into the fray of NDSAP to realise the actual impact of open government data.

To unleash the full potential of open government data and promote information driven knowledge based economy, NDSAP policy has to be given more primacy and taken forward in a cogent manner so that it is successful in getting all the government department into its fray. The enactment of the NDSAP Act is one such way and perhaps is a necessity which will eventually take the open government data initiative forward to benefit the society, economy and make India an enviable exampleof knowledge driven economy. Given the tools and given the benefits which we are looking at, efforts have to be made to get all stakeholders on the same page and trust India into a league of its own when it comes to knowledge based, technology driven economy.