From antennas to apps – celebrating a nation’s digital leap!
From Doordarshan’s iconic "Rangoli" on Sunday mornings to binge-watching OTT contents, India's journey is nothing short of phenomenal. On this National Technology Day, let’s rewind through the time of digital transformation that shaped an entire generation. So, here's a flashback worth streaming!
Remember when watching TV used to begin with adjusting the antenna on the terrace? That "thoda left, thoda right" moment was peak Indian jugaad. Doordarshan, India’s first state-run television network, became the tech window to the world for millions in the ‘80s and ‘90s.
Trivia Time: Did you know that India’s first colour TV broadcast happened during the 1982 Asian Games?
From Chitrahaar to Ramayan, television was not only a form of entertainment—it was a shared experience. Despite the screens being small and grainy, the impact was unimaginable.
Owning a landline became a status symbol in the ‘90s. Calls were planned, and STD booths were landmarks. Fast-forward to today: India is the second-largest smartphone market worldwide, with over 750 million users.
Fun Fact: The first ever mobile call in India was made on July 31, 1995, between the then Chief Minister of West Bengal (Jyoti Basu) and the Union Telecom Minister (Sukh Ram)!
Now, even in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, smartphones are empowering people with easy access to education, banking, and healthcare.
Who remembers the beep-boop sound of dial-up internet? A 2-second (now) download could take 20 minutes (then)! Today, India boasts the cheapest mobile data prices in the world, with high-speed 4G (and 5G rolling out in many places) connecting rural and urban India alike.
Tech Leap: The push for digitalization accelerated with Digital India Mission (2015), aiming to transform the country into a digitally empowered society. Eventually, services like UPI, Aadhaar, DigiLocker, and e-Governance made life simpler for millions.
Earlier, we used to share memories via letters and photo albums. Today, we update our lives in real-time through Instagram Reels, Facebook Lives, and WhatsApp statuses.
India is one of the biggest markets for WhatsApp, with more than 500 million users! Social media has ultimately redefined how Indians communicate, campaign, and consume content.
From regional influencers to viral village videos, digital platforms have gradually become voices of Bharat.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, students from cities to remote villages turned to online education. Various platforms and government apps turned homes into classrooms.
EdTech is helping bridge the education gap between urban and rural India, leveling the playing field like never before.
With innovations in AI, blockchain, and space tech, India is no longer just a tech consumer, gradually it’s becoming a global tech creator. Initiatives including Startup India, Make in India, and Semiconductor Missions are putting the nation on the map.
From Mars Missions to Made-in-India 5G, the digital dream is thriving. In this time, national technology day is beyond just a date—it’s a reminder of how far we’ve come. Technology has truly rewritten India’s story.
And the best part? This is just the beginning.
