Manthan

The tremendous growth and innovation in technology makes one to think about the effect on those who are less privileged and don’t have access to the opportunities created by these new innovations. One such technology is the computing and internet. Software has changed the landscape of major Indian cities, but there is a huge chunk of population that is left behind. That’s why its so important that the companies have benefited from the society give back to the society and not disrupt the social structure. Gates foundation has been very active in the area of AIDS and Vaccination in India. Now Google is supporting an initiative in the area of literacy through its Google Foundation has announced support for PlanetRead, which works in Mumbai and Pondicherry, India. To quote Dr. Brij Kothari

We have developed a “Same-Language Subtitling” (SLS) methodology, which provides automatic reading practice to individuals who are excluded from the traditional educational system, or whose literacy needs are otherwise not being met. This is an educational program rooted in mass media that demonstrates how a specific literacy intervention can yield outstanding, measurable results, while complementing other formal and non-formal learning initiatives of the government, private sector, and civil society. We are fortunate to have just been selected as a Google Foundation grantee.

I for one believe technology has to be inclusive. Illiteracy besides cost is a major hurdle preventing the masses from getting access to technology. The proliferation of cyber cafes in India, even in smaller towns and villages, provides tremendous opportunity to make the next generation Internet and computer savvy. There have been some really exciting social experiments, like NIIT’s Hole in the Wall experiment, where the illiterate slum kids learnt basic computer skills with absolutely no guidance. The success of STD booths can be replicated in Internet Kiosks, where these Internet Kiosks become center for e-governance, purchasing of railway tickets, weather and crop related information for farmers, education related information for kids and other economic activities. An economic model around the lines of STD Booths needs to be developed, where these Internet Kiosks become center of internet related activity and at the same time the society around is benifitted by the new technology, thus ensuring the coming generations are technology aware and perhaps technology educated aswell. Internet Kiosks can become self sustaining and profitable. A sustainable model like STD Booths will ensure proliferation of these Kiosks because of the obvious economic benifit associated with it and at the same time this would increase the reach of technology.

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