In an inspiring session at Rising 2024, Poornima Dore, a seasoned economist and former Director of Analytics, Insights, and Impact at Tata Trusts, shared her profound insights on leveraging data and technology to drive regional access in India. With a diverse background that spans business, technology, and social good, Dore’s talk, “Driving Regional Access: With Data & Tech,” delved into the critical role of data in understanding and fostering regional economic diversity to achieve broader and more inclusive growth across India’s multifaceted landscape.
India’s Position Today
India stands as a beacon of economic potential on the global stage, ranked as the fifth-largest economy in terms of GDP. This achievement marks a significant stride from past decades, highlighting the nation’s growing influence and aspirations on the international front. However, Dore prompts a critical reflection on India’s economic narrative by shifting the lens to GDP per capita, where India ranks much lower, at 138th globally. This stark contrast underscores the pervasive issue of regional disparity and inequality, which hampers the nation’s holistic development and equitable progress.
The Many Indias
Dore emphasizes that India is not a monolith but a mosaic of diverse regions, each with unique economic characteristics and development levels. Through her research and analysis, she illustrates the concept of “many Indias” — a country where growth and opportunities are unevenly distributed. By highlighting the disparities between thriving urban centers and underdeveloped rural areas, Dore sheds light on the importance of recognizing and addressing these regional nuances to unlock India’s full economic potential.
Leveraging Data and Technology for Regional Access
At the core of Dore’s message is the conviction that data and technology can serve as powerful levers to bridge the gap between India’s contrasting regions. She argues that by harnessing digital public goods and building integrated technological systems, India can enhance access to essential services and opportunities for its vast and varied population. This approach not only fosters economic inclusivity but also propels the nation towards its ambitious growth targets.
Empowering Agency and Collaboration
Dore passionately advocates for individual and collective agency in effecting change. She encourages professionals, particularly women, to recognize their potential as agents of transformation within their spheres of influence. By fostering collaboration across government, business, and civil society, Dore believes that innovative solutions to regional access can be devised and implemented, furthering the cause of social and economic equity.
Conclusion
Poornima Dore’s talk at Rising 2024 serves as a compelling call to action for harnessing the power of data and technology to create a more inclusive and equitable India. By acknowledging the complexities of India’s regional economic diversity and committing to strategic, data-driven interventions, we can pave the way for a future where growth and opportunities are accessible to all. Dore’s vision for driving regional access is not just a roadmap for economic development but a blueprint for building a more inclusive society in the digital age.
