The Controversial Claims: PM Modi's Use of Digital Camera and Email in 1987
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent television interview where he claimed to use a digital camera and email in 1987-88 has sparked significant debate and controversy. In an interview with News Nation, PM Modi stated, "First time I used a digital camera in 1987 or 1988... then a handful of people had email. At one of the public meetings of L K Advani ji in Gujarat’s Viramgam I had a digital camera. I took a photo of Advani Ji and transmitted it to Delhi. He was surprised and said how did my colour photo appear today."
Cameras in the Digital Age
The technological journey of digital cameras is a fascinating one. Technological publishers like CNET reported that the first true digital camera was built in 1981 by the University of Calgary Canada ASI Science Team. However, it was in 1990 when the digital camera became commercially available. The first model was marketed as the Logitech Fotoman, which used a CCD image sensor, stored pictures digitally, and connected directly to a PC for download.
Another historical note is that Nikon's first digital camera was announced in 1988. In 1991, the device listed for sale was priced at $2,030. Despite these advancements, there is no clarity as to when these devices first became available in India.
Email and the Internet in India
Controversial as it may be, PM Modi's claims need to be placed in the context of India's technological journey. According to technology records, the Internet technically became available in India in 1988, the same year PM Modi claimed he sent an email. However, it wasn't until 1995 that the Internet became publicly available in India. Prior to 1995, a prototype of what we today know as the Internet was working in India as the Ernet, established in 1986 to connect institutions.
This prototype connected the Institutes of Technology (IITs) in Delhi, Kharagpur, Bombay, Madras, and Kanpur, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), the National Centre for Software Technology (NCST), and the Department of Electronics (DoE).
Context and Controversy
Social media and commentators are questioning the ability of PM Modi to use such advanced technology at a time when few people had email or digital cameras. Critics are highlighting his humble financial status during that period, casting doubt on the plausibility of his claims. However, some point out that PM Modi had allowed someone to release a photograph of him as a chaiwala (tea vendor) who rode a motorcycle to the US White House. This suggests that he could have easily had access to such technology, given the significant support he received from previous administrations.
It's worth noting that the earlier governments played a critical role in making his visit to the US possible. People are questioning why these claims are being scrutinized based on contemporary standards. Shouldn't we consider the era in which he lived and the unique circumstances?
Conclusion
While PM Modi's claims are controversial, the historical context is essential to understand. The availability of digital cameras and email in India during the late 1980s was limited. However, the Internet was still in its nascent stages, and public access became only a reality in 1995. Whether he used these technologies or not, the immediate question is why these claims are being scrutinized so intensely, given the context of the time and the support he received from previous administrations.