Digital Resource & Training Centre , Sonapur completed first batch of Bachelor preparatory Programme (BPP)
The proposal to distribute mobile phones to below the poverty line families has the potential to bridge the digital divide in one stroke. It should not be dismissed as another extravagance by a profligate government to buys votes. In fact a mobile phone in every hand backed by innovative technology and government programmes has the potential to empower the poor and disenfranchised. By Amir Ullah Khan
There was an interesting thought put forth by some people this week that unfortunately died a quick death. The rumour was that the Prime Minister will launch a new scheme Har Haath Main Phone on his 15 August address to the nation from the ramparts of the Red fort. This would mean free distribution of mobile phones to the many million families who do not have a mobile phone yet. The estimate was that this scheme would cost Rs 7,000 crores, about 1.3 billion dollars. As soon as this news leaked out, there were some initial comments from some quarters but when the government did not react, the issue went dead.
What a pity! For this indeed seemed like an out of the box idea that Manmohan Singh has been promising for long. It is also something that would immediately raise doubts and concerns from various sides. The BJP, true to its form, shot from the hip and promptly rubbished the idea, till someone reminded the party that their 2009 Vision document accompanying the manifesto had actually promised more. Had NDA come to power, it would have distributed smart phones to all. When reminded of this promise of theirs, the BJP beat a hasty retreat.
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