Digital India and the Poor: Policy, Technology and Society

Digital India and The Poor explores how the poor are evoked in contemporary Indian political discourse, examining the ways in which they are accounted for in the increasingly digitized political economy, commercial and public policy, media, and academic research. It discusses financial inclusion initiatives, such as the Jan Dhan Yojana, the Aadhaar Project, and the banknote demonetization, and presents an in-depth study of the bearing of technology on domestic employment in India.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 190 pages
Publication date: 13 December 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Digital India and The Poor delves into the intricate relationship between poverty and contemporary Indian political discourse. It explores the various ways in which the marginalized and disadvantaged are accounted for in the rapidly digitizing political economy, commercial and public policy, media, and academic research. This comprehensive book aims to shed light on the evolving categorization of the poor in India and their representation in economic and policy documents over the past few decades.

In its exploration, the book delves into the influential digital education technology 'experiments' conducted in Indian slums from the late 1990s, which have gained widespread recognition as the 'hole-in-the-wall experiments.' These experiments aimed to provide access to education technology to underprivileged children, often living in resource-constrained environments. The book discusses the impact of these experiments on the lives of the children involved and their potential for transforming the educational landscape in India.

Furthermore, Digital India and The Poor examines financial inclusion initiatives, particularly during the period from 2014 to 2017. This includes landmark programs such as the Jan Dhan Yojana, the Aadhaar Project, and the banknote demonetization. The book provides an in-depth study of the effects of these initiatives on the lives of the poor, including their impact on access to financial services, economic empowerment, and social inclusion.

The book is of immense interest to scholars and researchers in a wide range of disciplines, including South Asian studies, politics, political science, sociology, technology studies, linguistics, and development studies. It offers valuable insights into the complex dynamics of poverty, digital technology, and their intersection in contemporary India, providing a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by the poor in this rapidly evolving society.

Weight: 310g
Dimension: 153 x 233 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367496203