The Tamil Nadu minister called for more robust collaboration, especially among southern states, which, he said, shared common goals in areas such as education and technological development.
Published Oct 05, 2024 | 6:47 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 07, 2024 | 6:08 PM
Dr. Palanivel Thiaga Rajan in conversation with Phanindra Sama, Co-Ffounder of redBus at Dakshin Dialogues-2024 in Hyderabad..
Tamil Nadu’s Minister of Information Technology and Digital Services Dr Palanivel Thiaga Rajan called for increased dialogues between states, especially those in the south, for more regional cooperation that transcends politics.
Speaking at South First’s Dakshin Dialogues-2024, the minister urged for creating a forum to hold interstate dialogues.
“We need a lot more state-to-state dialogue, especially in the South, where our outcomes in education, development, and technology can serve as a model for the rest of the country,” he said in Hyderabad on Saturday, 5 October.
The minister, however, said there was no forum for holding such dialogues. “The GST Council, intended for fiscal matters, ends up discussing the relationship between the Center and states, which isn’t its purpose,” he pointed out.
Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, popularly known as PTR, was engaged in a conversation on People and Technology – Governance for Tomorrow with redBus Co-Founder Phanindra Sama.
The minister called for more robust collaboration, especially among southern states, which, he said, shared common goals in areas such as education and technological development.
Stating that southern states have a lot to share and learn from each other, PTR said South India’s role in shaping the nation’s economy and culture was often overlooked. “The perception of India is often that of North India, and this may be because South India, being diverse, gets lost in the bigger picture,” he opined.
PTR highlighted a systematic imbalance in resource allocation, noting, “In the South, we pay a lot more taxes and receive a lot less money, while in the North, much of our money goes there. That’s not a problem for me; that’s what all rich places should do.”
However, he expressed concern er the growing centralisation of power. “There’s a highly centralised model increasing in Delhi, and single-party rule risks each state’s autonomy. The southern identity is hidden but distinct, and we need to ensure that we don’t lose sight of our values,” he urged.
PTR provided a glimpse of the changing political culture in Tamil Nadu. “Before the mid-2000s, giving cash for votes wasn’t common. But after 2000, it became prevalent.” He remarked on the limited impact of such practices on the state’s broader socioeconomic landscape, stating, “The per capita income in Tamil Nadu is ₹3 lakh per year. A ₹500 cash-for-vote offer, given once every five years, cannot change the life of a family.”
“I entered politics to serve, following in the footsteps of my forefathers. We all spend money, the Election Commission sets a ceiling, but for me, it’s about instinct.” He emphasised the importance of trust in his relationship with voters, adding, “A lot of politicians think people are fickle, that they can be bought and sold. But I believe most people are sophisticated thinkers. You can tell who is who and what is what. I trust humanity, and I hope they trust me.”
He admitted that his political journey has not been without challenges, especially during early elections. “Every election is different. In 2011, 2014, and 2016, I barely scraped through, but by 2019, I did better than the state average. I was No. 1 in my district.”
PTR emphasised the need for connecting with the people and maintaining transparency and accountability in governance. “Every six months, I publish a report on my work, and it grows, maybe to 20 pages. I share what I have done with the people,” he pointed out.
Sharing a personal anecdote about a Dalit girl who asked him to do good for the people, he said, “It gave me hope. I was a successful banker and consultant, but that was for the stakeholders, not for the people. At least in that Dalit colony, I made it my mission to improve their way of life over the past eight years.”
With India on the cusp of becoming a global brand, the conversation at Dakshin Dialogues provided a timely reminder that the path to achieving this status must involve the collective efforts of all regions, especially the South, whose contributions are often overshadowed but are undeniably vital to the nation’s progress.
When asked about the importance of privacy in the age of technology, PTR responded, saying, “So far, we have not had that big of a problem with privacy. However, at some point, it’s going to be everyone’s problem. These policies should have started with a national debate first, and then there may be variations at the state level.” He further emphasized that “the CBI was not set up to do political persecution. They are set up to do investigations.”
The minister’s remarks highlighted the growing significance of privacy as technology continues to advance, urging a proactive and inclusive approach to policymaking, grounded in public debate and cooperation between national and state governments.
Dakshin Dialogues 2024 was presented by KarPing in association with Governments of Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Karnataka along with Ichor Biologics, Start up Karnataka, ELCOT, K-Tech with IIIT-Hyderabad as knowledge partners.
The full conversation is available on YouTube under Dakshin Dialogues 2024: People and Technology – Governance for Tomorrow.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
