Subhajit Basu School of Law Queen’s University Belfast Digital Inclusion ICT for Rural India

Part 1

Objective of Development ‘a process of expanding the real freedoms that people enjoy’ Amartya Sen (2000) Nobel Laureate in Economics 3

Development  Development requires removal of sources of disparity: Income and non-income (capability) poverty Tyranny and intolerance Poor economic opportunities and social deprivation

Development  Removal of Disparity depends on: Social and economic arrangements Political and civil rights Technological progress Social modernisation

Technology in Development  Is Technology Related to Affluence?  Can Technology Foster Development?

Technology and Society Can technology realistically help bridge social divides?

ICT in Development

Can ICT bridge social divides?

Part 2

India Possible, Probable and Preferable Future

India Population --1,080,264,388 (around 70% lives in rural area) Area -- 3,287,590 sq km (more than 600,000+ villages) Political subdivisions-- 28 states,7 union territories Literacy % Per-capita income $ per day

India  Can technology make any difference to these people?  Can they afford these technologies?

India: Problem Associated with ICT Projects If we follow the US-EU Model Only 2-3 % of Indian Population will be able to have access to Internet

Intermittent, inconsistent electrical power e-choupal kiosk in Kodia, Madhya Pradesh Problem Associated with ICT Projects

VSAT for kiosk in Kodia, Madhya Pradeshn-Logue corDECT wireless tower Scarce and unreliable telephone system Unreliable Internet connectivity Problem Associated with ICT Projects

Locally relevant content Problem Associated with ICT Projects

India: ICT Project Examples Name of the Project PurposeFuture planes AkshayaMaking a district E-literate, limited employment generation. Delivery of multiple service at Akshaya centers and expand it to other districts BhoomiIssue of Land title at 177 Bhoomi kiosks and through privately owned kiosks Expand rural kiosk network DrishteeCreating a network of privately owned kiosks for e access to info, government and service commercial Expand Network to cover new kiosk E-choupalThe prime target is farmer. Farmers get information about seeds’ price, etc Scale to more users N-LogueMultipurpose Internet kiosks based on WILL Expand for commercial utilization GyandootConnecting rural cyber café catering the everyday needs of the masses. Extend for global Internet

Example: n-Logue Services:  Communication  Education  Computer Education  Remote tutorial  Typing  Photography  Agriculture  Veterinary  Health Care

Example: n-Logue Services:  Communication  Education  Computer Education  Remote tutorial  Typing  Photography  Agriculture  Veterinary  Health Care Teaching computer, distance education

Rural Education - Pilot ICT in Rural Districts of Pune 21

Devices for enabling easy input in Indian languages. Source; Indian Institute of Technology Bombay

Example: n-Logue Services:  Communication  Education  Computer Education  Remote tutorial  Typing  Photography  Agriculture  Veterinary  Health Care Weather forecasting, Disease detection, soil analysis

Example: n-Logue Services:  Communication  Education  Computer Education  Remote tutorial  Typing  Photography  Agriculture  Veterinary  Health Care Consulting with doctors in city by sending online images of the animal

Services:  Communication  Education  Computer Education  Remote tutorial  Typing  Photography  Agriculture  Veterinary  Health Care Remote diagnostic tools, Consulting with doctors in city n-Logue: Tele-Medicine - Remote Eye Care

A tractor and cart in Madhya Pradesh A well-water hand-pump Teachers in Karnataka and communities In the hands of imaginative and inspired individuals and communities Technology can change Lives Conclusion: Is a PC the best way to spend $1200 in a poor village? Mid day Meals in School

References  Paul, J. (2004) What works: n-Logue’s rural connectivity model. World Resources Institute.  n-logue website:  Different Websites