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Follow UsMicrosoft Corp India Pvt Ltd, in its continuing effort to help bridge the `digital-divide' in India, contributed academic software worth $ 1 million to the Ministry of Information Technology. This is the first of the $ 5 million worth software pledged, between now and 2005, by Bill Gates during his visit to India in September last year.
The software was handed over to Pramod Mahajan, Minister for Information Technology by Rajiv Nair, President, Microsoft Corp. The contribution is aimed at enhancing computer education in rural schools. Commenting on the occasion, Pramod Mahajan, Minister for Information Technology, said, "India's future lies in the hands of the youth. In order to empower our children, it is our moral responsibility to familiarise them with cutting edge technology of the day.
India's brand as a global IT player shall sustain only if every child acts and reacts with nuances of digital language. I am confident that this gesture of Microsoft will give a new dimension to corporate social responsibility in this country."
Commenting on the occasion Rajiv Nair, President, Microsoft Corp India Pvt Ltd, said, "Technology access and training are integral to a student's success today. We are happy to work with the Ministry of Information Technology on delivering the benefits of IT education to the masses. This contribution re-iterates our belief that when people are provided with the tools and resources that can help them discover their future, they can accomplish great things. This is a philosophy that drives our business and our giving."
To ensure proper distribution of the software, the Ministry of Information Technology has agreed to give five licenses each to every Member of Parliament. Additionally 50 licenses will be provided to each member of the Consultative Committee of the Parliament for the Ministry of Information Technology. Each license will be valid for one computer. The software donated includes MS Office 2000, Visual Basic, MS Encarta and MS School Bus Series.