Good to see New Delhi recently dazzling with the much-hyped AI Impact Summit. Experts, policymakers, and tech giants from around the world brainstormed the future of Artificial Intelligence. The stage was filled with talk of "Digital Transformation", apps, the cloud, and smart platforms.

But no discussions were held on what to do with mountains of e-garbage. More importantly, from where will state governments arrange for millions of litres of fresh water required each day to keep AI systems cool and happy?

Read in Hindi: डिजिटल चमक के पीछे बड़े से बड़ा होता जा रहा है कचरे का पहाड़!

Be warned. Alongside this digital leap, a new crisis is deepening. Every new technology, every upgrade, and every new device leaves behind another pile of e-waste. Behind the shine of Digital India lies a bitter truth. Every year, we buy new mobiles, change laptops, and upgrade TVs. The old items either gather dust in cupboards or end up with scrap dealers. This is where the real story of e-waste begins.

India is digitising rapidly. The Internet has reached villages, and every hand holds a smartphone. Convenience has increased, and work has become easier. However, the lifespan of these gadgets is shrinking. Companies launch new models, and people switch quickly. The result is clear: a mountain of e-waste is rising.

A recent report by the environmental organisation Toxics Link, titled "Long Road to Circularity", reveals that while India’s e-waste management system looks strong on paper, it is weak on the ground.

The government created the ‘Extended Producer Responsibility’ rule, meaning the company that manufactures the product must also take responsibility for its waste. It sounds good, but here is the problem: Currently, recycling focuses only on gold, copper, iron, and aluminium. Mobiles and batteries contain precious minerals vital for our future, such as Lithium, Cobalt, Nickel, and Rare Earth elements. These minerals are used to make EV batteries, wind turbine magnets, and solar energy infrastructure. If we don't recover these from our own e-waste, we will have to import them. This increases costs and weakens the dream of self-reliance.

The report states that many small manufacturers, online sellers, and "grey market" players aren't even registered on the EPR portal. They sell products but escape responsibility.

Furthermore, the common person doesn't know where to drop off an old mobile. Collection centres aren't clearly identified, and companies have little incentive to design products that are durable or easy to recycle.

India produces millions of tons of e-waste annually, ranking third in the world. While official recycling capacity has grown, 60-80 per cent of e-waste is still handled by the informal sector.

In small, unauthorised units, workers burn wires without safety gear and use acid to extract metals. This releases toxic gases, pollutes soil and water, and exposes workers to respiratory diseases, skin problems, and even cancer.

The informal sector isn't entirely "wrong"—they are the ones actually recovering metals and keeping the system moving. We need to provide them with training, safety gear, and modern technology.

The e-waste isn't just an environmental issue; it’s an economic and national security issue. One ton of e-waste can contain more gold than a ton of gold ore from a mine. If recycled scientifically, billions of rupees in assets can stay within the country.

The question is simple. Do we want to enjoy digital convenience without taking responsibility? Don't keep old mobiles at home; give them to authorised centres. The government must ensure stricter monitoring. Companies must design products that last longer.

The e-waste is not "garbage"; it is a hidden treasure. All we need is the right vision and honest intent. The real test of Digital India begins now. The shine has been seen; now it is time to fulfil the responsibility.