MyGov is a citizen engagement platform founded by the Government of India to promote the active participation of Indian citizens in their country's governance and development. It is aimed at creating a common platform for Indian citizens to "crowdsource governance ideas from citizens". Its users discuss and contribute to various government projects and plans. It also allows users to upload documents in various formats. The website is hosted and managed by the National Informatics Centre. Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that the aim was to reduce the long gap developed between the electorate and the Executive after being elected. In the first week of August 2014, MyGov received 100,000 registered users, barely two weeks after its initiation. Google became the first multinational firm to collaborate with MyGov. Shortly before his first address to the nation through All India Radio, it was announced that ideas and questions for the Prime Minister submitted to MyGov may be responded to in subsequent radio addresses. The website also has an associated mobile app.
Reception
As of the first week of September 2014, within 45 days of its launch, as many as 215,000 users were enrolled at MyGov and more than 28,000 users submitted their ideas on a variety of issues. The format of the Prime Minister's onlineIndependence Day message wasf extracted from suggestions submitted to MyGov. The platform has attracted many users who were not previously engaged in other social media such as Facebook and Twitter. Within 50 days of its inception, more than 23,000 entries were received for seven different government ministries in addition to the Prime Minister's Office through the 'Creative Corner' section alone.
Groups
There are various pre-defined groups to which users can selectively subscribe to. The objective of each group is to bring positive changes to the relevant area with people's participation. In each group, users are provided with two domains, 'Do' and 'Discuss'. The 'Do' section includes both online and on-ground tasks to which contributors may assign themselves. The 'discuss' section may be used for discussing different relevant issues affecting the nation. It may also be used for providing vital information regarding the topic and also suggest and propose new ideas. The users are awarded activity points based upon their individual contributions. Users may also volunteer and submit their own entries. These are reviewed by other members, evaluated by experts and approved subsequently. Approved tasks earn credit points. MyGov also serves as a digital library of topics regarding India.
Open Forum
The Open Forum is for discussion of issues of national importance. It spans across various groups and every registered member of MyGov is eligible for participation. Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana and the new institution which is going to replace the existing Planning Commission of India were the first topics discussed here.
Creative Corner
The Creative Corner gives you a platform to showcase your innovative zeal and enables you to leave an imprint on India’s history. Your skill, your creativity and your ideas become India’s pride!This corner gives you the opportunity to creatively engage with various Government departments. From time to time, Ministries will need creative inputs on the creativity related aspects of their initiatives. The tasks may vary from proposing a design for a mobile application to providing a draft banner/logo as well to suggesting a creative punch line for an initiative. The scope is extensive, the work intensive and the end result extremely satisfying.
