Gaurav Kansal

I have more than a decade of experience in Information Communication Technology (ICT) domain, especially in the areas of network, security, internet and e-governance. I have played a key role in fostering the internet penetration and adoption across India, through the National Knowledge Network (NKN), a pan-India gigabit information highway which was rolled out in 2010. NKN heralded an ICT revolution in India by delivering gigabit level bandwidth in every nook and corner of India, connecting over 1600+ education and research institutes. Apart from connecting all states and districts of India to this gigabit information highway (i.e., NKN), I also played a crucial role in connecting NKN with the Europe, South East Asia, Singapore. I have been involved in many key policy decisions and paved way for shaping crucial policy decisions with respect to ICT, Network, internet and cyber security.

I do believe in an equitable access and distribution of resources both from an Information resource and from a physical resource perspective. I have championed the cause of bridging the gap in the digital inclusion in the Indian sub-continent, as a result of which NKN is now surging ahead towards connecting the schools and other educational institutions at the village level during the upcoming phase 2. I have spear-headed this digital inclusion within the sub-continent, by successfully negotiating various policy hurdles and facilitated the successful linking of NKN with neighboring countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan & Maldives. This has aided in building close collaboration between the academic and research communities between the two countries.

Taking forward this equitable access and distribution of internet resources to APNIC, I would like to champion for the equitable rights to all member countries not just in terms of voting rights/board representation, but also in terms of access to the APNIC resources (i.e., IP addresses). In addition to this, I would also take up the cause for fostering training and mentorship to underdeveloped countries in the APNIC region and aid them in the best possible way to overcome their technological hurdles and pave way for a much broad and deeper internet penetration with free and open access to all. Also, the key policy decisions in the APNIC should be in a broad consultative approach where the voice of every member should be heard and due diligence should be done, while giving consideration to their voices and together create an inclusive policy making process, which is driven by all APNIC members. My core guiding principle would be based on advocating this equitable access to internet which is free and open to all in the APNIC region.

If elected as a EC-Member, I would put by best efforts to upkeep these guiding principles and help other APNIC members in their internet journey.