BV Naidu on Pioneering India’s Email Era and the Future of Digital Karnataka

It was a simple act — a message typed, sent, and received electronically. Yet, that moment would forever alter the course of India’s communication and digital history. BV Naidu, now Chairman of the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM), proudly recalls the day he sent what is widely considered to be India’s first email. For Naidu, the thrill of that milestone hasn’t faded even after decades of dizzying technological advancement.

A Moment That Sparked a Digital Era

In the early 1980s, India was still largely analog — phone lines were patchy, letters traveled over weeks, and computing was restricted to academia and niche research labs. Against this backdrop, BV Naidu, then working closely with international research and computing teams, had access to a rudimentary network setup connecting Indian institutions to global universities. It was through this system that he sent the historic email — a modest message by today’s standards, but a seismic shift in what it symbolized.

“The first email wasn’t elaborate or poetic. But it proved that India was now connected — digitally — to the world,” he recalls with a smile. For Naidu, the experience marked not just personal achievement, but the beginning of a nationwide transformation.

Laying the Foundation for Digital India

Naidu’s career has always been intertwined with India’s IT evolution. Long before the term "Digital India" entered public discourse, he was advocating for connectivity, infrastructure, and the democratization of technology. His tenure at Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) helped build the early bridges between Indian software engineers and global markets.

Reflecting on that era, Naidu says the biggest challenge wasn’t technology — it was belief. “People didn’t believe that India could lead in software. They thought we were just back-office workers. We had to fight not just for bandwidth, but for trust.”

Yet, his efforts and those of his contemporaries laid the groundwork for India's meteoric rise as a global IT powerhouse. Today, from Bengaluru to Hyderabad, Indian cities are synonymous with innovation, engineering, and entrepreneurship — much of which can be traced back to those foundational efforts.

Karnataka at the Heart of the Digital Boom

As Chairman of KDEM, Naidu is now focused on ensuring that Karnataka continues to lead India’s digital revolution. While Bengaluru remains a major technology hub, KDEM is tasked with expanding digital infrastructure and economic opportunities beyond the capital. The goal is simple yet ambitious: to make Karnataka the most inclusive and distributed digital economy in India.

“Karnataka has the talent, the policy framework, and the mindset. What we need now is depth — Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities like Mangaluru, Hubballi, Mysuru, and Belagavi should become innovation districts in their own right,” Naidu asserts.

KDEM’s mission includes setting up innovation clusters, startup incubators, digital skill training centres, and facilitating investor connect programs across the state. Special attention is being given to emerging technologies like AI, cybersecurity, quantum computing, and Web3.

From Email to AI: Witnessing the Entire Digital Evolution

Having witnessed India’s digital transition from the very first email to today’s AI-powered economy, Naidu is uniquely placed to assess the road ahead. “We started with the goal of sending a message. Now we are teaching machines to think. It’s extraordinary,” he says, describing the speed and scale of the change.

But he’s also cautious. According to Naidu, while India has made giant strides in technology, it must now focus on ethics, inclusivity, and sustainability. “The next phase of digital growth must be human-centered. AI should not replace people but empower them. And digital infrastructure should reach not just metros, but villages.”

The Digital Economy: A Catalyst for Jobs and Growth

Naidu believes the digital economy will be the backbone of India's growth story over the next two decades. He highlights that the sector isn’t just about coding or software; it includes fintech, edtech, agritech, gaming, digital health, and much more. With the right skilling programs and infrastructure, India can create millions of jobs in this domain, particularly for the youth.

KDEM is already working with educational institutions and industry bodies to align curricula with digital industry demands. Programs to upskill rural youth, support women entrepreneurs in tech, and promote digital literacy among the elderly are part of the ongoing effort.

Digital Governance and Public Services

Another frontier for digital transformation, according to Naidu, is governance. Karnataka has already taken steps toward e-governance, digitizing land records, driving license services, public health data, and grievance redressal systems. Naidu emphasizes that these systems must be continuously upgraded to be user-friendly, secure, and truly accessible.

“Good governance is digital governance,” he says. “But only if it’s simple and built around people’s actual needs. Technology must serve the citizen, not confuse them.”

Nurturing Startups and Innovation

BV Naidu is also a vocal advocate for startups. He believes India’s strength lies in its entrepreneurs — young, hungry, and solutions-oriented. Under his leadership, KDEM has launched programs to connect early-stage startups with mentors, angel investors, and international exposure.

One of KDEM’s goals is to make Karnataka a global hub not just for outsourcing, but for original tech products and IP (Intellectual Property) creation. “We should not just work for global tech companies. We should build them,” he says.

Looking Ahead: India’s Digital Decade

As India steps into what many are calling its “Digital Decade,” BV Naidu is filled with cautious optimism. He sees a future where data is harnessed responsibly, where cities and villages alike are digitally enabled, and where technology serves as a force for equality rather than exclusion.

“The same energy I felt when I sent that first email still drives me,” he reflects. “Because we’re still just beginning. The real transformation is not just in machines or codes. It’s in minds, in ideas, in people. That’s what excites me.”

 A Legacy Still in Motion

For a man who has been part of India’s digital story from the very first chapter, BV Naidu remains remarkably forward-looking. He doesn’t rest on nostalgia, though the past holds plenty of milestones. His vision is rooted in action — in policy, partnerships, and people.

As he continues to champion digital inclusion and economic transformation in Karnataka and beyond, one thing is certain: that first email wasn’t just a message across the world. It was a message across time — a signal that India was ready to speak in the language of the future. And BV Naidu, its first sender, is still helping the nation write that ongoing story.