Full Breakdown
Modi Presents “Power to Empower” Vision at Bloomberg New Economy Forum
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Unveiling the “Power to Empower” Vision
- Who: Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- What: Launched a vision that technology, data, knowledge and innovation should create opportunities for millions rather than concentrate power.
- Where: Bloomberg New Economy Forum, New Delhi (eighth edition).
- When: 13 October.
- How: Delivered a speech calling for a shift from “power to control” to “power to enable,” citing India’s digital platforms, renewable-energy expansion and poverty-reduction record.
Background & Context
India’s digital push since 2014 has made mobile data cheap, introduced the open-source CoWIN platform during COVID-19 and built a unified digital-payments ecosystem (JAM-DBT). Economic reforms such as GST, insolvency legislation and labour-code consolidation have accompanied a reported lift of 250 million people out of poverty. Hosting the Bloomberg forum underscores India’s self-portrayal as a trusted partner in shaping the global economy.
Data & Statistics
- Poverty reduction: 250 million lifted in ten years.
- Digital reach: Over 500 million YouTube users; connectivity initiatives link opportunities to citizens.
- Startup ecosystem: More than 250,000 startups, about 45 % with at least one woman director; half originate from smaller cities.
- Renewable energy: Capacity grew from ~75 GW in 2014 to nearly 300 GW; schemes such as PM Surya Ghar and PM-KUSUM added 30 GW solar.
- Economic performance: GDP growth of 7.8 % in the April-June quarter; foreign-exchange reserves exceed $700 billion.
- Global health contribution: Vaccine exports to more than 100 countries.
Official Statements & Responses
Modi stressed that power’s true value lies in its purpose, urging technology, data, knowledge and innovation to create opportunities for “crores of people.” He highlighted India’s willingness to share its Digital Public Infrastructure, pointing to CoWIN as a model for other nations. The Prime Minister argued that government should strengthen citizens rather than make them dependent, citing JAM-DBT as a tool to reduce corruption and improve service delivery.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This is not new to India. We have always emphasised the importance of utilisation of knowledge, money, and power. The real value of power lies in its purpose,” — PM Modi
- “We are sharing our experience with Digital Public Infrastructure with other countries so that they can develop their digital systems according to their needs,” — PM Modi
- “Beyond the power to control lies the power to enable. Beyond the power to succeed lies the power to help others succeed,” — Narendra Modi
Why It Matters / Impact
The “power to empower” narrative ties domestic policies—affordable connectivity, renewable-energy expansion, inclusive finance—to a diplomatic strategy that projects India as a model for inclusive technological growth. By presenting open-source tools and vaccine supplies as global public goods, the speech seeks to boost India’s soft power and attract investment. Emphasising that emerging technologies benefit a wide populace aligns with international concerns about digital inequality and may shape collaborative frameworks on AI, data governance and climate action.