Information Revolution and India: A Critique

The Steam Engine has the same relationship to the Industrial Revolution as the transistor has to the Information Revolution. But the defining technologies of the former were essentially sectoral: the steam engine, internal combustion engine and electric motor were all confined to specific areas of application. But the transistor, embodied in the computer, is a universal technology: right from your wristwatch to a space station, it is central to their working. Secondly, it has spread faster and over a larger area than any of the industrial technologies. It is the combination of these two factors that has empowered the Information Revolution to transform practically every facet of human activity. Whether it is the economy or education, polity or entertainment, the application of Information Technology (IT) is radically changing their character. Media hype has invested IT with a very alluring mystique. But a powerful technology can be used both for god and evil. And IT is being used to serve both ends. It is, therefore, necessary to critically examine its societal impact so that one is not swept off his feet by its seductive powers.And this is what the author seeks to do. As IT is the creation of the industrially advanced on those societies. The bulk of the book is focused on this theme. But as developing countries have also started making increasing use of it, its last section studies its impact on India.