New Delhi : Stressing that technology is the tool for transformation, Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Friday said engineers play a crucial role in nation-building.

Addressing a seminar organised by the Institution of Civil Engineers on the occasion of Engineers Day, Naqvi said Indian engineers and technocrats are among the best in the world.

“Be it defence sector, infrastructure, railway or space technology, India’s engineers and technocrats have made their mark and made the country proud. Through their creative thinking and dedication and hard work, they give a new direction to the country,” he said.

Naqvi said it is true that providing basic amenities and infrastructure is the responsibility of the government, but at the same time, engineers, doctors and other professionals also have a role to play in this regard.

“Earlier, a large number of professionals from various fields preferred to work abroad. But now, they are coming back to India and are contributing to the vision of ‘New India’,” he noted.

“India has continued to rise in the Global Innovation Index (GII) rankings. In this year’s rankings, India has come at 60th place from 81.

“India has improved its performance in most areas, including infrastructure, business sophistication, knowledge and technology outputs and creative outputs,” he added.

Highlighting the utilisation of the latest technology by the BJP-led government “to make people’s life more comfortable”, the Minister said: “Through technology, we have filled the gap between governance and the common people.”

Naqvi added the government has been utilising the technology to ensure “leakage proof” and transparent system for welfare of the common man.

“India is moving towards becoming a digital economy. Money meant for welfare of the common people is going directly to bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Crores of students are getting their scholarships directly into their bank accounts though DBT,” he added.

—IANS