Rahul Gandhi’s Remarkable Understanding of Technology and Empathy, Silicon Valley Entrepreneur Affirms
06-06-2023 : Rahul Gandhi, the visiting Congress leader, has won praise for his deep understanding of technology and for recognising how it directly affects the average person and employment. Gandhi’s attitude is novel, according to Shan Sankaran, the Indian-American businessman who hosted him in Silicon Valley; he never professes to know everything but instead shows real curiosity and a thirst for technology. An event titled “AI and Human Development: A Chat with Rahul Gandhi” was organized by Sankaran, the founder of FixNix, a startup aimed at streamlining GRC-related decision-making, at Plug and Play, a renowned Silicon Valley incubator.
During the event, Gandhi shared his admiration for his father, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, and his emphasis on adopting technology across various sectors, including banking. Sankaran believes that Gandhi envisions technology as a catalyst for growth and development, especially if he were to become Prime Minister of India. Importantly, Gandhi expressed his support for regulating technologies rather than resorting to outright bans. In his view, technology requires careful governance and oversight, drawing a comparison to the approach taken by the United States in dealing with platforms like TikTok and drones.
Sankaran emphasises the discussions that took place during the meeting about the Pegasus spyware, demonstrating how Silicon Valley and Israeli technologies have been misapplied by tyrants to stifle dissent, the press, the judiciary, and opposition parties all over the world, including Rahul Gandhi himself. Gandhi lacks any personal baggage, according to Sankaran, hence he cannot be silenced. Gandhi engages with his political opponents openly, even jokingly acknowledging Prime Minister Modi’s presence and demonstrating his desire to listen, while other opposition leaders in India may be anxious and vulnerable.
Describing his personal observations, Sankaran perceives Gandhi as a compassionate individual with a human heart, akin to a living Buddha. He believes Gandhi serves as an exemplary role model for future generations, noting that despite having the opportunity to become Prime Minister twice, Gandhi never pursued it. Even in the face of adversity, such as being expelled from his parliamentary residence, Gandhi harbors no animosity towards Modi or any bitterness. Sankaran greatly admires Gandhi’s wisdom and deep knowledge across various subjects, extending beyond technology.
As an entrepreneur holding 17 provisional patents, Sankaran himself moved to Silicon Valley with the goal of realizing his innovative dreams and contributing to society. He sees in Gandhi a reflection of the values he aspires to emulate—compassion, knowledge, and the pursuit of societal betterment.
