The India story after 25 years of internet and how it has transformed our lives

When VSNL launched the internet in India on August 15, 1995, optimism about the new arrival was high. Even in those days of dial-up lines, big machines and steep tariffs — when the internet’s future looked fuzzy and potential barely discovered — the world was aware of its promise.

The information superhighway was supposed to democratise the world, giving everyone a voice and levelling the playing field in politics, business, society. There are issues that need addressing but it is fair to say the internet has revolutionised our lives in the quarter century it has been with us — moving from a slow service with limited utility few could afford, to a ubiquitous, accessible force that has changed how we live , mostly peering at a mobile device.