India should not copy US development model: Pitroda

Telecom guru Sam Pitroda today said India should develop an indigenous model for development that focused on low-cost solutions, instead of copying the consumption-based American economic model, which was unsuitable for this country.

“I personally believe the US model of consumption-based economy is not scalable and sustainable for a country like ours,” Pitroda, who headed the National Knowledge Commission, said.

Addressing participants of Microsoft-organised TechED 2010, a technology conclave, via videoconferencing from Chicago, he said India had its own challenges and required an Indian model, focused on low-cost solutions.

“We need to innovate on our own,” he said, adding, India needed to look at new development models in areas like education and health.

Advisor to the prime minister on public information, infrastructure and innovations, Pitroda said India’s rural areas could become outsourcing hubs for urban centres.