New Delhi (NVI): Google CEO Sundar Pichai today announced that the company will be investing nearly USD 10 billion (Rs 75,000 crore), as part of digitisation efforts in India over a period of the next five to seven years.
“Today at #GoogleForIndia we announced a new $10B digitization fund to help accelerate India’s digital economy. We’re proud to support PM @narendramodi’s vision for Digital India – many thanks to Minister @rsprasad & Minister @DrRPNishank for joining us,” the Google CEO tweeted.
Today at #GoogleForIndia we announced a new $10B digitization fund to help accelerate India’s digital economy. We’re proud to support PM @narendramodi’s vision for Digital India – many thanks to Minister @rsprasad & Minister @DrRPNishank for joining us. https://t.co/H0EUFYSD1q
— Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) July 13, 2020
Indian-born Pichai was speaking at the sixth edition of Google for India event that took place virtually today, in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic.
Digital payments in India have enabled families across India to access goods and services during the lockdowns, Pichai said during this keynote speech at the virtual event.
Before the announcement, he also had a video-conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during which he lauded the PM for implementation of Digital India. The initiative has made internet accessible to billions of Indians via cheap smartphones, affordable data and world-class telecom infrastructure.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter after his interaction with Pichai. “This morning, had an extremely fruitful interaction with @sundarpichai. We spoke on a wide range of subjects, particularly leveraging the power of technology to transform the lives of India’s farmers, youngsters and entrepreneurs,” PM tweeted.
This morning, had an extremely fruitful interaction with @sundarpichai. We spoke on a wide range of subjects, particularly leveraging the power of technology to transform the lives of India’s farmers, youngsters and entrepreneurs. pic.twitter.com/IS9W24zZxs
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 13, 2020
During his interaction with the Google CEO, PM Modi also talked about new work culture that is emerging in the times of coronavirus. Pichai briefed the Prime Minister about the efforts undertaken by Google to help spread awareness and provide reliable information about COVID-19.
On the occasion, the PM also said that India is amongst the most open economies in the world. In addition, he spoke about recent steps taken by the government towards reforming agriculture and about the campaign to create new jobs, while also highlighting the importance of re-skilling.
Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad also hailed Pichai’s announcement and said Google’s investment is a big boost for India to move towards a USD 1 trillion economy under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Story of #DigitalIndia is that of development, empowerment & inclusion. Delighted that @Google will invest $10 billion in India. Under the leadership of PM @narendramodi we are moving towards a $1 trillion digital economy & for that it is a big boost. Thank you @sundarpichai,” he tweeted.
Story of #DigitalIndia is that of development, empowerment & inclusion. Delighted that @Google will invest $10 billion in India. Under the leadership of PM @narendramodi we are moving towards a $1 trillion digital economy & for that it is a big boost. Thank you @sundarpichai https://t.co/VgkV9DTG3q
— Ravi Shankar Prasad (@rsprasad) July 13, 2020
-RJV/ARK
