Computers and Internet Connectivity
Posted : November 29, 2005 at 10:02 pm [IST]
I could never imagine that the man who became an icon of younger Indians of his time for that ‘yahoo’ song and rebellion hero of his era will be a spokesman for the need of expanding the connectivity through computers and Internet. In his feature ‘India Empowered’ in ‘Indian Express’, Shammi Kapoor, the Bollywood legend of yester years dreams of a computer in every Indian home with Internet as driving force. And it is really heartening that his age also he is a blogger too.
“I’m a high-volume Internet user. I use it for information and not infotainment. These days I blog a lot. Everyday, I learn something new about the world and it’s a big high.
We should be telling our children to come up with their own theories.
The idea should be to make learning more innovative and fun. We should go in for e-books and new ways of imparting knowledge. The thrust should be on students to tell their teachers something new that they’ve discovered.
Computers are the need of the day. In fact, students should be given computer classes from Std I. It’s my dream to see a computer in every house in India. But for that, they need to provide electricity first. But that’s another thing entirely and I’m sure the government is well aware of that.
But the picture isn’t so bleak. I’m amazed by today’s youngsters. They’re really very aware and well versed with everything new. Even in the film industry, our technicians know the latest software and techniques. It’s a very heartening thing to see. But very few people can avail this right to information.”
When there is move to provide laptops with Internet facilities at a price of $100, it is no more a dream. UN is facilitating the move of MIT academician for providing millions of students in poor countries to provide a laptop of appropriate design and configuration at a privce of $100. Recently, CompUSA offered a $99.99 PC from America Online.
And further to that, some entrepreneur now has a proposal to offer computer free. The Hong Kong-based asiatotal.net launched iT, a stripped-down personal computer that will be distributed free of cost to small businesses and people from lower income groups. The business proposal is unique. “Apparently, the iT machines can connect to the Internet, and come packaged with home entertainment device, a printer and a USB card reader. With a 7-inch monitor and speakers, the equipment get as wired as any computer worth its salt.
Where’s asiatotal.net going to make its money? Companies that target rural markets will be roped in to sponsor links to e-commerce portals. The iT machines will come equipped with sponsored hot keys that will provide instant access to information about the sponsor and its products.”
In near future, it will no more be a gadget that will remain unaffordable for even poor.
It will be a good gift item for those who spend in gifting in the festival season. One day these gadgets will be like a slate in good old days. It will serve the purpose of writing, reading and even conversing. Let the Indian elites such as Shammi Kapoor come forward to expand this methodology of connecting the people. India is still far behind in the race. The number of Internet users in India is 35 million as against 94 million in China in 2004. However, the number of personal computer users in India is only 13 million as against 53 miillion in China and 161 million in USA. Even Russia and Brazil are ahead. But the growth rate is pretty encouraging. The growth in India’s Internet subscriber base has surpassed the Asian average in 2003-04.
India will have 100 million Internet users and 20 million broadband connections by 2008-2010.
I wish the government departments and private servicee providers spent more on making more and more services available on line. Municipal authorities such as NOIDA can use IT for serving its residents better. There is no point in having computers and Internet, unless its utility makes it a necessary gadgt for every individual.
- Indra
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