UNGA President lauds India for extricating 80 cr out of poverty through smartphones

United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) President Dennis Francis has praised India for its remarkable digital revolution and its significant impact on poverty alleviation. Speaking at the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) on the topic of 'Accelerating Progress Towards Zero Hunger for the Current and Future Generations', Francis highlighted the transformative power of digitalisation in India's rural economy.

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Francis noted that 800 million Indians have been lifted out of poverty in the past five to six years, attributing this success to the widespread use of smartphones. He emphasized how digital technology has revolutionized access to banking and payment systems in rural India. "People in rural India, who previously lacked access to banking or payment systems, are now able to pay bills and receive payments for orders just by using a smartphone," he said.

The UNGA President underscored that digitalisation lays the foundation for rapid development. "Take, for example, the case of India. India has been able to lift 800 million people out of poverty over the past five to six years simply by the use of smartphones," Francis stated.

This endorsement from a prominent global leader highlights India's strides in leveraging technology to foster economic inclusion and development, setting a precedent for other nations aiming to achieve similar progress in poverty reduction and digital empowerment.