PM Narendra Modi pushes for use of technology in the 'era of Covid-19'

He further spoke about how a "Digital First" approach has helped not just professionals, but also transformed the education sector and reduced corruption.

“It is technology that demolishes bureaucratic hierarchies, eliminates middlemen, and accelerates welfare measures,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday in a post titled “Life in the era of 

Covid-19”, published on his LinkedIn profile.

Ironically, the same day the Indian government disallowed e-commerce firms from delivering non-essential items from April 20, in a reversal of its stand earlier in the week. 

The change came mainly due to the appeals of the small trader community, which argued that allowing sales of non-essential items online and not offline were not giving all players a level playing field.

However, in his post, Modi gave various ways in which technology was coming to the rescue of people amid a nationwide lockdown. 

“Coronavirus has significantly changed the contours of professional life. These days, home is the new office. The internet is the new meeting room ... I have also been adapting to these changes. Most meetings, be it with minister colleagues, officials and world leaders, are now via video conferencing,” said Modi.

He further spoke about how a “Digital First” approach had helped not just professionals but also transformed the education sector and reduced corruption.

Modi further said the current scenario would lead to a redefining of the “vowels of the new normal”. These “vowels”, he said, are adaptability, efficiency, inclusivity, opportunity, and universalism. 

As part of the vowel inclusivity, Modi touched upon the need to do “more with less” and develop technologies and practices to combat climate change.

The pandemic has made it necessary to work on health solutions built at low cost and can be scaled up, he said. 

He further said there was a need to invest in technology for farmers so that they had access to information, machinery, and markets, and also to ensure that citizens had access to essential goods.

“Unlike previous moments in history, when countries or societies faced off against each other, today we are together facing a common challenge. The future will be about togetherness and resilience. The next big ideas from India should find global relevance and application. They should have the ability to drive a positive change not merely for India but for the entire humankind,” he added. 

Modi urged people to take care of their health and well-being, suggesting yoga as a way to stay fit.