Government Technology

Technology Empowers Remote Areas of India


May 15, 2006 By

"Computers on Wheels(COW)," is a Stockholm Challenge project that uses motorcycles equipped with an Internet-connected laptop computer to provide Internet connectivity to residents of 21 remote villages in Mahbubnagar District, Andhra Pradesh, India. Information services range from agriculture management and health, animal husbandry, education, banking and insurance and governance.

Computers on Wheels spokesman Pingali Maharishi
India lives in its villages. Many, beyond the reach of the "information highway," are increasingly beset with missed opportunities, including access to Web-based government, health, agricultural and commercial services. COW helps take the ICT revolution the last mile, to remote rural areas in India.

In the era of globalization, where impersonalized trade and commerce has become the norm and where recognizing the voice or face of a client or a service provider had become a rare incident, COW offers a unique possibility for human intervention that is culturally sensitive for knowledge enhancement. It combats the adverse effects of globalization by providing adequate access to information, so that rural communities do not become isolated from the global economic and political world.

The technology used is simple and off-the-shelf and can be found and used in most areas with minor adaptations. Basic technical requirements are availability of wireless signal points in the region and sunlight for solar energy.

Target areas include village schools, self-help women groups, government departments, banks and insurance organizations.

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http://www.govtech.com/e-government/Technology-Empowers-Remote-Areas-of-India.html


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