Union Minister Anurag Thakur spoke about India's role in shaping the new information order and the need for the Indian Information Service to protect against external influence. Speaking at the valedictory session of 52 Indian Information Service officials from 2018, 2019, and 2020 batches, Mr. Thakur highlighted the importance of India as the world's largest democracy in giving shape and form to the new information order. The world is witnessing the birth of a post-pandemic new information order, with the West and Big Tech leading the way. However, Mr. Thakur cautioned that this could impinge on the autonomy of nation-states to decide what was best for them.

 

The Indian Information Service officials need to become a bulwark against externally enforced information order. Mr. Thakur explained that the service was the frontline defender of India's official information system, which protected the country's interests and shielded its democratic structure of governance. The IIS officials were urged to ensure that the gains from the democratisation of digital public spaces were not eroded by disinformation. They were encouraged to become well-versed in cutting-edge tools, trends, and techniques to effectively engage with audiences and communicate the government's messages.

 

Mr. Thakur also emphasized the importance of citizen-centric communication, involving the target audience in the creation and design of communication to ensure relevance, and working in coordination with stakeholders to achieve the best outcomes. The effectiveness of communication strategies needs to be evaluated for improvements, and there should be a continuous effort to develop skills and knowledge to keep up with evolving technologies and challenges.

 

In conclusion, India has a crucial role to play in shaping the new information order as the world's largest democracy. However, it must also ensure that its autonomy is not compromised by external influence. The Indian Information Service officials play an important role in safeguarding India's interests and democratic structure of governance. They need to be well-equipped to protect against external influence and ensure that communication strategies remain relevant and effective in the ever-evolving technological landscape. Reference source: TH

 

UPSC Main Exam Question

 

What is India's role in shaping the new information order, and how can the Indian Information Service officials contribute to it?

 

Answer: According to Union Minister Anurag Thakur, India as the world's largest democracy has a crucial role in shaping the new information order. He highlighted the need for the Indian Information Service officials to become a bulwark against externally enforced information order and ensure that the gains from the democratisation of digital public spaces are not eroded by disinformation.

 

The minister emphasized that the IIS officials should become well-versed in cutting-edge tools, trends, and techniques to effectively engage with audiences and communicate the government's messages. He also emphasized the need for communication to be citizen-centric, involve the target audience in the creation and design of communication, work in coordination with stakeholders, evaluate the effectiveness of communication strategies, and continuously develop skills and knowledge to keep up with evolving technologies and challenges.

 

By playing an active role in shaping the new information order, India can ensure that the autonomy of nation-states is not impinged upon, and the official information system remains protected, which is vital to safeguard the country's interests and shield its democratic structure of governance.

 

In summary, India's role in shaping the new information order is crucial, and the Indian Information Service officials can contribute to it by becoming a bulwark against externally enforced information order and being well-versed in cutting-edge tools, trends, and techniques to effectively engage with audiences and communicate the government's messages in a citizen-centric manner.