Union Minister of State, Electronics and Information Technology, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Sunday inaugurated two new Internet Exchange points (IXP) of NIXI at Durgapur and Vardhman in West Bengal.
The launch of these internet exchanges is under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Digital India vision to connect every Indian with open, safe & trusted and accountable internet and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology’s (MeitY) vision of 1000 days, according to a government press release.
Internet exchanges in states are expected to contribute to the enhancement and improvement of internet and broadband services in West Bengal and neighbouring regions, ISPs will benefit from improved internet services offered by them to their end-users, bringing about a change in the lives of the people, MeitY said in the release. Commenting on the launch, the chief guest Rajeev Chandrasekhar said, “Internet today has become a lifeline for all economic activities. It is essential to access a host of services both public and private, available online. The internet exchanges will ensure a better internet experience for the Digital Nagriks of West Bengal.”
Speaking on the 7 years of the Digital India programme started by the Narendra Modi Government in 2015, the minister added, “I was in the audience when PM Narendra Modi launched Digital India Programme. With almost 3 decades of experience in technology, even I had no idea that India would travel so far and emerge as a Digital Powerhouse. When I built India’s largest cellular network way back in the 1990s, we imported almost every piece of equipment from abroad. Today, as we are about to launch the 5G network, we have developed indigenous capabilities to design and manufacture the majority of components in India. We have transitioned from Tech consumer to a trusted technology partner of the world making in India for the world.”
Member of Lok Sabha SS Ahluwalia said, “The Internet today is the backbone of a community, connecting people with not just businesses and services, but to each other. I am proud to be the part inauguration of the twin internet exchanges at Vardhaman and Durgapur today by NIXI along with the MLA of Durgapur Lakshman Ghorui and am thankful to the Minister of State, MeitY Rajeev Chandrasekhar for helping me keep my word to the people of the constituency, of ensuring that the Digital India that our Prime Minister Narendra Modiji dream coming to fruition for all of us and especially the people of this region of the nation.”
PM Narendra Modi envisioned Digital India as an India where every citizen is connected, enabling them to access the government anytime, anywhere, and giving them access to opportunities for education, skill development, and employment as well as entrepreneurship, Ahluwalia said.
