Internet Penetration Getting Better Everyday - An Opportunity Awaits For Everyone

By Author: Amit Singh
Total Articles: 25
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“The new source of power is not the money in the hands of few, but information in the hands of many.”

In the modern digital era, where people enjoy the virtual life more than the real one, it calls for a dire need to mold our ways of approaching them.

Going by the numbers, India has an internet penetration of 462,124,989 people which constitutes about 34.8% of the population. The substantial increase in internet sector added value that perfectly reflects the ubiquitous presence of the internet throughout the Indian economy. This figure is sure to rise substantially in the coming years, thanks to Digital India.

Government too, is taking several steps in catching up with the tech-savvy world through internet. Recently, Hindustan Times stated, “PM Narendra Modi may soon provide first-time internet users in the country with some amount of free mobile data like LPG subsidy”.

Along with multiple benefits that internet provides, the web in its entirety contributes to growth, productivity, and employment - A world full of opportunities. So now the question arises what is so peculiar about the internet ...
... that it can make drastic change in growth rate overnight?

1. Greater Connectivity
With all the people either having smartphone in their hand or computer screen in front of their eyes, the access to internet is just a click way. Due to a greater connectivity, internet has made access to information and communication far easier. Moreover, increasing access to affordable (for eg, the recent initiative, Reliance JIO) information & communication access allows individuals, businesses, government, and basically everyone to take advantages of the benefits better connectivity can bring, including improved social and economic opportunities and better service delivery.

2. Digitization
The use of digital technologies have opened up new markets and types of employment, enabling new ways of organising, delivering and rewarding work. Being called as a catalyst for job creation, the opportunities internet offers are expanding its reach. Taking advantage of the vast digitization, Just Jobs (www.just.jobs) - innovative blue collar jobs marketplace - runs on one-click job applications for the ease of informal sector job seekers.

3. Jobseekers
The internet plays an increasingly important role in information, advice and guidance services for people seeking careers, education, training and employment advice. But with a growth in the amount of information available, it is important that users develop skills to assess the quality of information available and to distinguish between biased and unbiased sources so as to use information intelligently to guide decision-making.

4. Startups
As internet connectivity gets embedded into every aspect of our lives, investors, entrepreneurs, and engineers are rushing to cash in. The best bet for consolidation is, Smartphone! According to Google, two million SMB’S have already found a home on the internet. Moreover, the sector that is getting the least out of the internet and era of startups is an Informal sector.

5. Freelancing
Working via the internet from home provides new opportunities for employment for some individuals and groups, who otherwise would not be able to take up paid employment. “the Internet For All” initiative launched by IDEA is a clear example of how uninitiated can take advantages that the Internet can bring.

The growth of internet base in India is exponential. But main concern is to make the internet available for the rural sector with high-speed and low-cost enabled devices. In other words, we must be “Digitally Literates” , so that we can grab most of the opportunities that are out there in the world.