Shashi Tharoor: Global tender will expedite Aakash tablet delivery

That apart, tech-savvy HRD minister speaks on freedom of speech, India's growth, FDI and more in this exclusive interview

News | by Muntazir Abbas

 NEW DELHI, INDIA: Shashi Tharoor needs no introduction. An author, columnist, diplomat and social activist, he headed UNHCR and worked as the Under-Secretary-General at the United Nations. As a strong contender for the coveted UN Secretary-General office, he finished second to Ban Ki-moon in 2007. One of the Tweeples' favorites, he has close to 2 milllion followers. He is an MP from Kerala and the Minister of State for HRD. In a conversation with CIOL, Tharoor speaks on delivery of 220 million low-cost Aakash tablets, the Section 66A of the IT Act 2008 and India's growth, among others.

CIOL: Low-cost Aakash tablet is one of the ambitious projects of HRD ministry. Despite this, the availability is worrisome. Please share an update and roadmap for the delivery of 220 million tablets.
 

Shashi Tharoor: The National Mission on Education through ICT (NME-ICT) was launched by the Union Ministry of HRD in February 2009 with a focus on availability of low-cost computing devices to bridge the digital divide. Delivery of low-effective Aakash tablet to India's 220 million school children remains our key ambition.

There might be issues related to availability and specification, but once global tender is rolled out, the delivery of Aakash tablets would be fast-forwarded. By 2014, a substantial number of these tablets will be delivered to schoolchildren.

CIOL: Social networks are being extensively used to vent ire against politicians and celebrities. People argue that it's freedom of speech and it shouldn't be curbed. Please share your thought.
 

Shashi Tharoor: Internet- especially social platforms provided by Google, Yahoo, Facebook and Twitter are becoming household names today. Raising a legitimate concern is no crime, but the Internet should not be exploited for destructive purposes that include cyber bullying, impersonation and blasphemy.

There should be a fine line between freedom of speech and hate content. Since social networks are getting pervasive, and while ensuring national security, their abuse is an area that should be looked at not merely by the government but by the civil society at large.

CIOL: There have been many debates on the Section 66A of the Indian IT Act 2008. Do you feel that the law does not deal with realistic restrictions and it needs to be revisited?
 

Shashi Tharoor: The Section 66A of the IT Act 2008 gives legal impetus to law enforcement agencies and empowers them to take action against anyone circulating illegal or offensive e-messages that could cause insult, enmity, hatred or criminal intimidation. There might be two views on it, but a reasonable restriction should be applied reasonably. The government has already issued guidelines to prevent its misuse.

CIOL: Today, Internet, especially Web 2.0, has been adopted by many large corporate and political parties. BJP has been leveraging it extensively too. Do you feel that Congress lacks full-fledged Internet campaign? Shouldn't Congress adopt it in 2014 general election?
 

Shashi Tharoor: As Internet penetration accelerates, its adoption has become imperative. We are leveraging social media strategies in a careful manner. Party Vice President Rahul Gandhi has also recently talked on increasing our efforts in this direction. We intend to track social networks aggressively and create campaigns around them. Based on Web feedback, we could plan out future strategies.

CIOL: The US trade groups have recently raised concerns over the Indian tax laws, investment climate and more importantly the policy that allows preferential market access to indigenous manufacturers. Are these concerns impacting FDI in India primarily in sectors such as telecom, IT/ITes and BFSI?
 

Shashi Tharoor: There has been a continuous dialogue process between the international trade bodies and the Union Government. India's growth story is unhampered by any external factor, and there is no gloom at FDI front. We'll soon be back on track with 8-9 per cent growth.

Preferential Market Access (PMA) guidelines are fully-WTO compliant and facilitate indigenous manufacturers and domestic industry as well as create immense job opportunities, IP creation and R&D activities domestically.