Digitalization in the Midst of Digital Division in India

Abstract

The bequest of electronic commerce is gaining ground, achieving unprecedented growth and widespread popularity all across the globe and in India. Barring aside the initial jittery start that resulted primarily due to the lack of trust; consumers around the world and in India are more experienced and confident today, relying heavily on electronic trade and commerce over the traditional mediums. Even the senior denizens are opening up to digital mediums. Though the percentage of online consumers are comparatively less; in 2013, Asia Pacific emerged as the strongest ecommerce region in the world with sales of around 567.3 billion USD recording a growth of over 45% over 2012, ranking ahead of Europe (482.3 billion USD) and North America (452.4 billion USD). The e-com business in India is recording impressive growth over these years and the growth rate doubled in 2015 vis-a-vis the previous year. Consumer behaviours are changing drastically in the era of digital reformation. Dynamics of the market, marketing opportunities, social behaviour etc. have changed the way business is done in this fast developing nation. Not only commerce, digitalization is also influencing social behaviour and Governance. In fact, there is a growing notion to the vision of digitalizing India with phenomenal progress in the areas of apps and portals development for the dissemination of information and delivery of high-value public services over the internet. India is home to the largest Public Distribution System in the world, and e-pds is a revolution in enhancing transparency and eliminating pilferages in the system. Currently, the state of Andhra Pradesh is leading the race. At this juncture, inadequate infrastructure and digital illiteracy are major impediments in the paths of progressive digitalization as majority of India is yet to taste the first-fruits of digital revolution!