India's Techade: Upskilling will be key, say industry leaders

In his Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that this was India’s “Techade” and that the country was on the cusp of a digital revolution. (In 2015, the government had launched the Digital India programme, covering multiple projects of central ministries and states, to expand the country’s digital economy.)

The tech industry has applauded the government’s intent, but many stakeholders say that achieving this goal requires investments in upskilling, even as connectivity and infrastructure in rural areas remain a hurdle.

Says Sindhu Gangadharan, senior vice-president and managing director, SAP Labs India: “The new vision for digital India will require a