Many companies needed the knowledge to face the unknown future.

It was the era of black-and-white monitors. Students, businessmen, professionals and people from all areas of life suddenly computers can change lives

At the turn of the century, computers entered our lives, the common man's life, in a big way. There was much hue and cry that all data would be lost as computers would not accept the zeros of the Year 2000.

Everyone became aware of the need for computers.

A computer or PC became a household necessity and changed the lives of one and all.

Doctors used pagers to attend to patients immediately.

The Windows OS gave access to MS Word and MS Paint. MS Excel sheets became a part of the school curriculum along with programming in the higher classes.

All that was required was a machine called the computer. In schools, it was used to make projects and PPTs to assist students in understanding various subjects in an interesting manner.

Gradually with the internet connection available computer labs were set up for students to work on these machines and make their own projects. The higher classes started learning computer languages like Java, and C++ and programming became an essential part of the syllabus.

The computer changed lives in schools that had the means. The computer institutes did their bit to spread this new machine, the computer among the common man.

In every sector of life, the computer has become essential. The banking sector was one of the first few to adopt this machine, many people who did not have the inclination to learn this new technology chose to take voluntary retirement rather than feel incompetent working on this machine.

A new workforce was introduced to help the country become computerized. As was expected soon there was a sea change in the life of a common man. Everyone had to be computer literate to carry out their daily work.

In the field of medicine computers worked day and night to save lives during the pandemic, they provided necessary data to develop vaccines to curb the spread of the disease.

Wars are now managed through computers and innocent lives are saved by early warning of destruction due to war and natural calamities like cyclones, tornadoes, avalanches, and tsunamis. Timely predictions to protect human life are made based on data fed to computers.

The technology is not confined to the machine called a computer. It has new forms as smart devices are in the palms of everyone who can afford it.

The government expects everyone to have an aadhaar number from birth so a smartphone number becomes the identity from day one. The aadhaar number becomes a database number on the government site and a lifelong relationship of a citizen of India with the government of India, through all the twists and turns of life.

A child is brought up watching YouTube channels, studying through the internet, fills forms for competitive exams or universities abroad all via the computer. Online learning is a reality.

The farmers buy seeds, fertilizers get updates get to know of the latest machinery and technology, and sell and buy all the products using the computer. The whole world is in the hands of every individual through this smart device.

The homemakers do all their shopping and running of the house through the computer. Be it the maid, the grocery, household goods or the electrician or plumber services; all are available just by a search on the computer.

Businesses are run online. All that is required is a computer. Be it the ups and downs of the stock market or the wholesale or retail of any product, all information is available on the computer.

Politicians big or small connect to the common man through the computer to explain their policies or their programs all they need is a platform that ranges from WhatsApp to Facebook and X to make a point. Those who have the means to use the computer - doctors, bankers, teachers, travellers, engineers, courier services, traders, trade fairs, events of national and international importance depend on the computer to communicate and plan out various aspects of life, including matrimonial alliances.

On the other hand, the sections of society that may be deprived of internet connectivity due to various reasons cannot enjoy the benefits of the computer. These connectivity-deprived areas are yet to explore the joys of computers. The metropolitan cities have become a hub for computers and artificial intelligence is the next big revolution taking place there but it's crunch is experienced in smaller towns and remote tribal areas.

A computer in remote tribal areas and mountain areas can change the life of the area. The data of their unique forest products, herbs and plants of medicinal value, climate and crops, and skills of survival in all types of weather conditions needs to be recorded.

A computer can change and save lives.

The issue of gender bias with regard to computer availability to girls and women needs to be addressed. All adults and children must possess a computer to be on par with the rest of the world but this is a far-fetched dream for most children in India. It may seem ubiquitous but in reality, it is not so.

Let us not forget, that the future of the nation depends on its children. Construction site workers, slum dwellers, remote rural, mountain and tribal areas are waiting for the computer to come to their doorstep and change their lives forever.

No formal schools are required to do this only a computer and internet connectivity have changed the face of developed nations.

From Africa, the American continents, and Europe to Australia and New Zealand indigenous communities have benefitted from the computer revolution. The same must happen in this country so that a democratically equal society prevails as is envisaged in the Constitution of this great nation.

Equality is the hallmark by which a nation progresses. It is time the policymakers and the bureaucrats take charge of the situation and provide equal opportunity to enterprises and app creators to reach out to each and every section of our society to empower them to contribute in a meaningful manner, using computer technology, towards the development at the local, state, national and international level.

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