Mentor’s Comment

On India’s 79th Independence Day, Professor P.J. Narayanan reminds us that freedom today is no longer defined by political borders alone, but by technological sovereignty. As cyber wars, AI dependency, and cloud vulnerabilities reshape geopolitics, India must undertake its own “long march” towards self-reliance in both software and hardware. This article critically explores the risks of dependence, the promise of open source, and the urgent need for collective will to achieve true independence.

Introduction

India’s hard-won political freedom was achieved through decades of struggle, but in the 21st century, sovereignty extends beyond flags and constitutions. Technology is now the true battlefield, with wars fought in cyberspace, economies run by software, and critical infrastructure dependent on a handful of global corporations. This dependence poses a strategic vulnerability. The call for technological independence, therefore, is not just a matter of pride but of survival and security.

The renewed urgency of technological sovereignty

India’s 79th Independence Day has highlighted a pressing reality: while politically independent, the nation remains technologically dependent on foreign companies that control critical digital infrastructure. With modern conflicts increasingly fought through cyberspace, and with real incidents of cloud service disruptions causing harm, the vulnerability is no longer hypothetical. For the first time, technology dependence is being discussed in terms of national sovereignty, marking a paradigm shift from past concerns that were limited to strategic sectors.

The Geopolitical Risks of Technology Dependence

1. Cyber wars: Modern conflicts are less about bombs and more about software, drones, and cyberattacks.
2. Critical infrastructure: Banks, trains, and power grids are run on ICT largely controlled by a few foreign firms.
3. National diktat risks: If cloud/AI services are switched off under pressure from foreign governments, India’s economy and security could face paralysis.
4. Real precedent: A recent stoppage of cloud services to a company proved this is not a theoretical danger.

Defining technological sovereignty in the Indian context

1. Lack of foundational software: India has no indigenous operating system, database, or foundational software it can fully trust.
2. Open-source pathway: Linux, Android, and Hadoop show that community-driven, transparent solutions are possible.
3. Challenge of sustainability: Success requires long-term support, continuous updates, and a large user base.
4. Role of IT professionals: India’s tech community must unite to develop, maintain, and secure indigenous systems.

Hardware sovereignty as the bigger challenge

1. Semiconductor fabs: Require massive, long-term investments and expertise in design, manufacturing, and supply chains.
2. Strategic prioritisation: India should start with specific hardware components, chip design, and assembly even if fabrication remains outsourced.
3. Global lessons: Countries like Taiwan and South Korea built expertise over decades through patient national strategies.

Open-source solutions for technological independence

1. Gift of society: Open-source is not about opposition, but about self-support and resilience.
2. Current limitations: Even though Android, Linux, and Hadoop are open-source, control lies with centralised cloud companies.
3. Social movement: Just as India’s freedom was driven by collective will, a people-led movement for open-source adoption is needed.
4. Business viability: The model must go beyond government/private funds and become self-sustaining, with people explicitly paying for trusted software.

Immediate steps towards technological sovereignty

1. Assemble crack teams: Develop client-side tools (database, email, calendar) and server-side tools (cloud, web, email).
2. Product model: Teams must function like professional product-development units, not academic research groups.
3. Mission approach: A dedicated national mission should be set up for implementation, backed by strong engineers and project managers.
4. Enabling role of government: Focus on building a self-sustaining ecosystem with business incentives and regulatory support.

Conclusion

The 20th century saw India march towards political freedom; the 21st century demands a march towards technological freedom. Dependence on foreign systems is a strategic vulnerability that could cripple the nation in times of crisis. With its talent pool, thriving IT ecosystem, and democratic will, India has both the capacity and urgency to achieve technological sovereignty. The call of the hour is collective resolve, sustained investment, and a mission-driven approach.

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