1. Seminar on Study of ICT Pilot projects in India K. Venkateshwar Rao 06427803 Pavan Kumar Thatha 06927805 CS671: ICT for Socio-Economic Development

2. Seminar Plan… Background of study area ICTs in Development Agenda ICTs in Development Agenda ICTs interventions ICTs interventions ICT Experiments in India ICT Experiments in India ICTs role on key issues ICTs role on key issues Review of Literature on ICTs Review of Literature on ICTs Conclusion Conclusion

3. Background of the study Rural India: profile at a glance Source: 2001-Census of India report. http://planningcommission.nic.in/ http://planningcommission.nic.in/ Total Population:1.028 billion Households:191.9 million Districts:593 Sub-districts:5470 Towns:5161 Villages:638,588 Rural Population:85 per cent Population density:<400 per sq km Work Area:75 per cent in Agriculture Village population:<5000 on average

4. ICTs in Development Agenda ICT Tools for Rural development Areas: ICT Tools for Rural development Areas:  Provide decision support to public administrators for improving planning and monitoring of programs. improving planning and monitoring of programs.  Improve services to citizens and bring in Transparency.  Empower citizen’s through access to information and knowledge. knowledge.  Provide Training to improve the functioning of developmental organisations. developmental organisations.  Expand employment opportunities in rural areas. Attention paying key factors: Attention paying key factors:  for whom?  what bundle of (multi-purpose) services?  how well they are managed?

5. ICTs in Development Agenda ICT enabled Rural development (major) Services: ICT enabled Rural development (major) Services:  Online services for information, transaction, processing, education, training and monitoring.  Market linkages between producers, traders, retailers and suppliers.  Facilitation among Researchers, Knowledge workers and Farm communities.  Facilitation of Land records and on-line registration services.  Tele-education for rural citizens of all age groups and gender.

6. ICTs in Development Agenda Capturing Technologies:Devices that collect and convert information Capturing Technologies:Devices that collect and convert information into digital form. Ex: Input devices. Storage Technologies:Devices that store and retrieve information Storage Technologies:Devices that store and retrieve information in digital form. Ex: Memory Devices Processing Technologies:Creating systems & applications software for Processing Technologies:Creating systems & applications software for the performance of digital ICT. Ex: S/W tools. Communication Technologies :Producing the devices, methods and Networks to Communication Technologies :Producing the devices, methods and Networks to transmit information in digital form. Ex:LAN, WAN. Display Technologies:Creating a variety of output devices for the display Display Technologies:Creating a variety of output devices for the display of digitised information. Ex: output devices. Functionaries of knowledge transmission Technologies

7. ICTs in Development Agenda Spread of ICTs presence in India w.r.to other Asian neighbours * (per 100 persons) Source: TRAI (2004:10) Parameters * IndiaKoreaMalaysiaChina No of PCs0.878.615.02.8 No of Cable TVs6.043.0--9.0 NO of Fixed Telephone lines3.951.018.518.0 No of Mobile Phones2.675.043.918.3 No of Internet connections0.426.012.02.5 No of Broadband connections0.0225.00.41.4 No of Users (Internet)1.065.534.06.2 GDP (US $ per capita)46510,0004,000965

8. ICTs in Development Agenda Development is directly proportional to Tele-density or Broad-band connectivity spread: As per World Telecom development report (2003).

9. Connecting rural people through ICTs Existing process implications to be eliminated, Existing process implications to be eliminated, such as NO such as NO  loss of Time  loss of Income  loss of Opportunity  non-availability of Information in-time as per need, requirement to the rural livelihoods ICTs in Development Agenda

10. Bridging the divide through ICTs In New Economy: Metcalfe’s formula states that, The value of a network = (nxn) = n 2, where n -> no of people connected. Kelly’s New law states that, The value of a Network = n n, where n-> people make multiple, simultaneous connections between groups of people. Example: B2B – where buyers and sellers come together, communicate and trade with each other.

11. ICTs in Development Agenda Steve’s SIX-Cs for on-line services: (with respect to Marketing) Content: trading data, pricing, product info, etc. Content: trading data, pricing, product info, etc. Context: specialization on a vertical. Context: specialization on a vertical. Community:value added services that hold & attract users. Community:value added services that hold & attract users. Communication :the ability for members to meet & communicate each other on-line. Communication :the ability for members to meet & communicate each other on-line. Connectivity:use of open, web-based applications so that members connect to each other. Connectivity:use of open, web-based applications so that members connect to each other. Commerce:the Centralised marketplace. Commerce:the Centralised marketplace.

12. ICTs interventions ICT kiosks interventions: Initiator based ICT kiosks interventions: Initiator based  National Government initiated Projects Ex: CICs in NE and J&K states.  State Government promoted Projects Ex: e-Seva of AP, Bhoomi of Karnataka, Setu of Maharastra.  Private corporate Sector promoted Projects Ex: Chiraags of n-Logue, e-Chowpals of ITC, EID’s Parry corners.  Non-Government Sector promoted Projects Ex: Wired Villages of WARNA, DRISTI, MSSRF, TARAHAT, Agri-watch. Upcoming Large scale ICT initiatives in India Upcoming Large scale ICT initiatives in India  Panchayat Raj Ministry:2,37,000  Department of IT:1,00,000  Private sector (by 2007):1,00,000  ITC e-Chowpal:1,00,000  Department of Posts:8,00,000  State Govt. initiatives:@3000-5000 per state

13. Interventions of ICT experiments in India Source:http://www.ictforchange.org/ visited on: 23 rd Sep., 2007. http://www.ictforchange.org/ Till date, 174 total pilot projects are registered under EIGHT categories.

14. Interventions of ICT experiments in India

18. ICTs role on Key Issues Management of Rural Development Programs: Key Issues Targeting about development of People rather than Poverty Targeting about development of People rather than Poverty elevation methods. elevation methods. Problems in implementation of development programs: Problems in implementation of development programs:  Centralised Planning  Multiplicity of Agencies  Bureaucratic and Administrative setups  Monitoring Large Programs  Inadequate Resources

19. Contributions of ICTs to Rural development Offer opportunities for two-way horizontal communication among communities as Offer opportunities for two-way horizontal communication among communities as well as supporting agencies. well as supporting agencies. Support bottom-up articulation of development needs and perceptions. Support bottom-up articulation of development needs and perceptions. Facilitating the merging of local, national and global information and knowledge. Facilitating the merging of local, national and global information and knowledge. Support, create and strengthen interactive and collaborative networks. Support, create and strengthen interactive and collaborative networks. Support policy and advocacy by meeting information needs of all members of society. Support policy and advocacy by meeting information needs of all members of society. Help build consensus through the provision of information on programs, policies, Help build consensus through the provision of information on programs, policies, decisions and issues to advocates. decisions and issues to advocates.

20. Literature on ICTs says…… Establishing micro-enterprises in Agriculture, food processing, Establishing micro-enterprises in Agriculture, food processing, animal husbandry, handicrafts, IT-based services in villages, one animal husbandry, handicrafts, IT-based services in villages, one can achieve significant impact on rural economy. can achieve significant impact on rural economy. Roger’s Framework for analysing the observed characteristics of Roger’s Framework for analysing the observed characteristics of kiosk users in terms of: kiosk users in terms of:  Adopter categories  Innovation attributes  Adoption decision  Communication channel  Nature of Social system

21. Literature on ICTs says…… Roman’s Perceived attributes of innovations in the context of Roman’s Perceived attributes of innovations in the context of Tele-centers are: Tele-centers are:  Relative advantage Innovation of benefit-cost effects.  Compatibility Potential adopters to technologies.  Complexity Understanding and using the technologies.

22. Literature on ICTs says…… Kenneth Keniston’s preliminary hypothesis on Indian ICT Kenneth Keniston’s preliminary hypothesis on Indian ICT projects: Major gaps are projects: Major gaps are  Financial sustainability  Scope of IT  Grassroot consultation  Information uses  Local relevant content  Local standardization of code  Commercial funding  Wishful thinking  e-Commerce / e-Governance  Impact of technical decisions on Common man!

23. Kenneth’s hypothesis on Indian ICT projects…… HOPE: “The use of ICT’s could enable even the poorest of developing nations to “leapfrog” traditional problems of development like: HOPE: “The use of ICT’s could enable even the poorest of developing nations to “leapfrog” traditional problems of development like: Poverty Poverty Illiteracy Illiteracy Disease Disease Unemployment Unemployment Hunger Hunger Corruption Corruption Social inequalities, so as to move rapidly into the Modern Information Age. Social inequalities, so as to move rapidly into the Modern Information Age. Hopes built on an empirical vacuum. Hopes built on an empirical vacuum. Does Not know the factors that make for effectiveness or ineffectiveness of grassroots ICT projects in developing nations. Does Not know the factors that make for effectiveness or ineffectiveness of grassroots ICT projects in developing nations. ICTs introduction into communities otherwise unchanged will merely heighten existing inequalities. ICTs introduction into communities otherwise unchanged will merely heighten existing inequalities. Instead of comparative research to counter or address such claims, we have “Success Stories” – from which trustworthy generalisations are impossible. Instead of comparative research to counter or address such claims, we have “Success Stories” – from which trustworthy generalisations are impossible.

24. Kenneth’s hypothesis on Indian ICT projects…… Kenneth’s observations on Indian projects: Few projects are publicised. Eg: Dhar, SF’s Pondichary. Few projects are publicised. Eg: Dhar, SF’s Pondichary. Great majority NOT and these projects have rarely been studied. Great majority NOT and these projects have rarely been studied. NO comparisons have been made between them. NO comparisons have been made between them. They are NOT in touch with each other. They are NOT in touch with each other. Lessons learned in one project are NOT shared with others. Lessons learned in one project are NOT shared with others. Appropriate technologies are rarely evaluated. Appropriate technologies are rarely evaluated. Financial Sustainability, Scalability and Cost recovery are seldom addressed. Financial Sustainability, Scalability and Cost recovery are seldom addressed. The opportunity to learn from the Diverse, Creative Indian Experience is so far almost entirely wasted. The opportunity to learn from the Diverse, Creative Indian Experience is so far almost entirely wasted. Cost of creating a working Internet connection in developing nation is the same as --- Cost of creating a working Internet connection in developing nation is the same as --- Providing immunization against SIX factor childhood diseases to thousands of children.

25. Kenneth’s hypothesis on Indian ICT projects…… Kenneth’s Preliminary Hypothesis on Indian ICT projects: 1. There is more Talk than Action: Plans abound; on the ground realities are much fever. Few Conferences, only a few have substance so far. 2. Nothing is anywhere nearly as simple as it seems: Almost every project is late and runs into unexpected difficulties. Eg: Land records where dead or illegible etc. 3. The Goal of Financial Sustainability is rarely achieved: Granting the initial start-up costs have to be borne by someone, VERY FEW projects even plan for long-term sustainability, and even fewer achieve it. Once the initial public or NGO funding disappears, simply projects disappear as well. 4. IT should not be simply identified with computers and Internet: Some inventive uses of IT involve radio, TV, satellite inventories etc. Eg: Automated butterfat assessment equipment – radically simplified the process of evaluating milk & paying dairy farmers.

26. Kenneth’s hypothesis on Indian ICT projects…… Kenneth’s Preliminary Hypothesis on Indian ICT projects: 5. Starting by consulting at the Grass-roots is essential: Top-down projects simply do not work, and end up by providing information that people don’t really need or use. 6. The information people initially say they need, may not always be what they end up using: Eg: MS Swaminathan’s project – male farmers ask originally about agriculture; in fact, they started looking about government programs. 7. Local language content is a pre-requisite for any successful project: Standardization of Code for the major Indian languages in NEED of the hour. Every major Indian language suffer from multiple scheme of coding and fonts, since absence of inter-operability between programs involving distinct codes. Standardization of Code for the major Indian languages in NEED of the hour. Every major Indian language suffer from multiple scheme of coding and fonts, since absence of inter-operability between programs involving distinct codes. This Technical problem dramatically complicates the development of local S/W and of local IT use throughout India. This Technical problem dramatically complicates the development of local S/W and of local IT use throughout India.

27. Kenneth’s hypothesis on Indian ICT projects…… Kenneth’s Preliminary Hypothesis on Indian ICT projects: 8. The development of Locally relevant content is essential, and the nature of that content varies from region to region: ICT for the common man projects are bound to fail, without accessible local content that addresses the real problems of local people in their own language, so they can understand better. ICT for the common man projects are bound to fail, without accessible local content that addresses the real problems of local people in their own language, so they can understand better. This is evident from Radio programs success in spreading massage in the areas of Agriculture practices, family planning services etc. This is evident from Radio programs success in spreading massage in the areas of Agriculture practices, family planning services etc. 9. E-governance is one of the most promising uses of ICTs: i. Computerisation of Govt. functions themselves: Eg: Linking Central State Govts. To district officials, and computerising registrations, legal proceedings, land records etc for the benefit of administrators. ii. Govt.-to-People and People-to-Govt. Connections: Citizens can obtain direct access to records, rules, and information about entitlements that they need or what in their daily lives.

28. Kenneth’s hypothesis on Indian ICT projects…… Kenneth’s Preliminary Hypothesis on Indian ICT projects: 10. E-Commerce, in the sense of Customer-to-Business on-line buying within India, is probably many years away for a majority of Indians: Success is seen in railway reservation system and banking sectors. Success is seen in railway reservation system and banking sectors. If small business S/W packages were made available in local languages, there is a chance of small & medium size merchants would quickly adopt them. If small business S/W packages were made available in local languages, there is a chance of small & medium size merchants would quickly adopt them. 11. Commercially funded ICT networks have considerable promise: Commercial interests may justify the experience of establishing rural info-kiosks, which can, also provide much general information in addition to specify product information. 12. The markets for “indigenous crafts” is a niche market in a few rich countries: E-commerce from India to Europe, US or Japan has enormous logistic problems. Applying IT for poverty alleviation for any but a tiny fraction of Indians is NOT realistic.

29. Kenneth’s hypothesis on Indian ICT projects…… Kenneth’s Preliminary Hypothesis on Indian ICT projects: 13. A successful commercial IT sector does not necessarily “trickle down” to ordinary Indians: It for masses places emphasis on developing STPs, improving education at the higher levels of IT etc.. It for masses places emphasis on developing STPs, improving education at the higher levels of IT etc.. It make astonishing growth rate is IT, but what about general/ordinary Indians impact such as: improved living conditions, more schools, greater justice, better health, more jobs or other benefits for ordinary Indians. It make astonishing growth rate is IT, but what about general/ordinary Indians impact such as: improved living conditions, more schools, greater justice, better health, more jobs or other benefits for ordinary Indians. 14. Apparently “Technical decisions” concerning IT regulations, bandwidth allocation, pricing mechanisms, transmission standards etc, can have profound effects on whether or not IT benefit ordinary Indians: Compared to the speed of satellite television rapidly in India, ISP spread is not that encouraging. Compared to the speed of satellite television rapidly in India, ISP spread is not that encouraging. Analysing of the impact of technical, regulatory, and technological decisions on “IT for the Common Man” is largely absent. Analysing of the impact of technical, regulatory, and technological decisions on “IT for the Common Man” is largely absent. 15. The wheel is constantly reinvented: The people of the projects are NOT usually in touch with each other, rarely publish or write anything about what they are doing. The people of the projects are NOT usually in touch with each other, rarely publish or write anything about what they are doing. Little possibility of learning from the success or failure of projects. Little possibility of learning from the success or failure of projects.

30. Kenneth’s hypothesis on Indian ICT projects…… Kenneth’s Preliminary Hypothesis on Indian ICT projects: 16. You cannot believe a lot of what you are told: A visit to a project site can be found that-- Project have closed. Project have closed. Project NOT yet to be in operation. Project NOT yet to be in operation. Project to have deteriorated from the stated original Goals Project to have deteriorated from the stated original Goals 17. Until the costs of the “Last Mile”, of basic IT devices, and of local languages S/W are brought down, the goal of “Wiring India” will remain unachieved: Low cost technological solutions above are off-course not solutions to the problems of development, but they are pre-requisites for IT in India. Eg: Simputore, India-Linux movement etc. Low cost technological solutions above are off-course not solutions to the problems of development, but they are pre-requisites for IT in India. Eg: Simputore, India-Linux movement etc. 18. The “IT for the Masses”, “Bridging the Digital Divide” movement has an inordinate amount of exaggeration and wishful thinking: We need to define the characteristics of those projects (meet poor’s basic needs & assets fundamental rights) and try to spread the word about what works and what does NOT. We need to define the characteristics of those projects (meet poor’s basic needs & assets fundamental rights) and try to spread the word about what works and what does NOT.

31. Conclusion The challenge is to learn if, when, how and where ICTs (of all kinds) can be most The challenge is to learn if, when, how and where ICTs (of all kinds) can be most cost-effective means to help rural people. cost-effective means to help rural people. Pilots highlighted the multi-sectorial development interventions using different Pilots highlighted the multi-sectorial development interventions using different technology options. technology options. How the benefits of pilots to be integrated is the study of the future. How the benefits of pilots to be integrated is the study of the future. Have to be found the sustainability mantra for ICT projects in India to deliver needed Have to be found the sustainability mantra for ICT projects in India to deliver needed objectives. objectives. An integrated ICT model as accepted by people to be found using SWOT analysis on An integrated ICT model as accepted by people to be found using SWOT analysis on pilot projects experiences. pilot projects experiences. Rogers, Roman and Kenneth proposals are measured for further studies. Rogers, Roman and Kenneth proposals are measured for further studies.

32. Thank you