India is clearly divided -- digitally. About 20 crore people are connected to the Net, leaving 110 crore people or one-sixth of world's population out of the Internet.
The rhetoric of connecting every home with high-speed broadband reverberates in almost all States, particularly in 'progressive' States like Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. NoFN, Bharat Net, Optic Fibre through Water Grid trenches, cables over electric poles -- the national and State governments are making noise almost on a daily basis.
The Telangana Government talks of launching mobile apps to create an interface to citizen-to-government services. The Andhra Pradesh Government says it has geo-tagged 3.60 lakh electric poles, enabling the Nework agency to lay OF cables, connecting each and every house. It promises speeds up to 10 mbps to individuals and 100 mbps for businsesses.
No doubt technology empowers people. Technology is a great equaliser.
But this is too simplistic an idea when it comes to countries like India where about 70 per cent of people live under $2 a day income. The governments say they will give 10 mbps at just Rs 150 a month, where as the paddy farmers get an increase of just Rs 50 (80 cents) on Minimum Support Price (MSP) for a quintal. What will they do with 10 mbps speeds? Download films and videos that show sumptuous meals?
The immediate problems they face -- lack of employment opportunities, poor incomes, poor education facilities for their children, abysmal healthcare, failing agriculture and bumpy roads.
Technology is not a panacea in itself. But the Governments are trying to make us believe that it can solve all all of our problems.
What they immediately need is at least 1,000 calories a day. Make a doc available to them in the primary healthcare centre. Ensure availability of textbooks when schools reopen.
10 mpbs speeds can wait.
The Governments must spend the scarce resources on the real, physical infrastructure, rather than squandering them on the virtual world. The immediate priority is to improve the basic living conditions of the majority of the population.
(Photo: Two small-time traders set off for work at 8 a.m. in the Old City of Hyderabad)
The Telangana Government talks of launching mobile apps to create an interface to citizen-to-government services. The Andhra Pradesh Government says it has geo-tagged 3.60 lakh electric poles, enabling the Nework agency to lay OF cables, connecting each and every house. It promises speeds up to 10 mbps to individuals and 100 mbps for businsesses.
No doubt technology empowers people. Technology is a great equaliser.
But this is too simplistic an idea when it comes to countries like India where about 70 per cent of people live under $2 a day income. The governments say they will give 10 mbps at just Rs 150 a month, where as the paddy farmers get an increase of just Rs 50 (80 cents) on Minimum Support Price (MSP) for a quintal. What will they do with 10 mbps speeds? Download films and videos that show sumptuous meals?
The immediate problems they face -- lack of employment opportunities, poor incomes, poor education facilities for their children, abysmal healthcare, failing agriculture and bumpy roads.
Technology is not a panacea in itself. But the Governments are trying to make us believe that it can solve all all of our problems.
What they immediately need is at least 1,000 calories a day. Make a doc available to them in the primary healthcare centre. Ensure availability of textbooks when schools reopen.
10 mpbs speeds can wait.
The Governments must spend the scarce resources on the real, physical infrastructure, rather than squandering them on the virtual world. The immediate priority is to improve the basic living conditions of the majority of the population.
(Photo: Two small-time traders set off for work at 8 a.m. in the Old City of Hyderabad)
GOOD SIR. PROVOKING AND FORCEFUL. BUT WHY THIS $2 - RS 50, DISHARMONY?
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