While Prime Minister Narendra Modi was selling the dream of a Digital India on Wednesday, some of those trying to connect to free WiFi networks at the venue made a sad bunch.

The launch of the Centre’s flagship scheme ‘Digital India’ was a grand event with over 10,000 people in the audience, apart from 400-odd CEOs. However, it wasn’t a smooth sail for those trying to tweet pictures and access other websites.

Weak connectivity The weak WiFi network left some wondering how the country would achieve digital transformation and become a ‘knowledge economy’ with such poor connectivity. Then, there were arguments between members of the media and the security agency.

With a security scanner not working, several media persons had to wait at the gate for over half an hour. “You cannot enter with a camera. Notepad also not allowed,” a security professional told people from TV channels, who were later helped by an official present at the venue.

As the Prime Minister entered the venue, applause filled the room along with the usual ‘Modi Modi’ chant. The emcee repeatedly requested the CEOs on the stage to keep their speeches to two-and-a-half minutes. However, only a few obliged. Modi in his speech narrated how children would play with spectacles.

Mobile governance “Those spectacles have now been replaced with mobile phones. This is a transformation,” he said. The crowd chuckled when he jokingly said that m-governance didn’t mean Modi governance but mobile governance. However, the smiles soon turned into frowns for many as the event concluded and the crowd left the venue, leaving behind a trail of trash.

With snack boxes scattered around, it seemed the attendees had forgotten another key mission of the Modi government launched with similar fanfare — the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan!

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