/dqweek/media/agency_attachments/JNb31gQnqJvAm0jqPxaV.png)
Follow Us
Microsoft
CorporaÂtion India Pvt Ltd unveiled a scalable and self-sustaining kiosk model
initiative aimed at taking the benefits of IT
to rural India. A public private initiative, christened “Saksham” (meaning
self reliant in Sanskrit), Microsoft will additionally develop a rural portal
powered with content and applications aimed specifically for the rural segment
by working with regional and local ISVs to accelerate the adoption of these
services.
Elaborating on the strategy,
Neelam Dhawan, MD, Microsoft Corporation India Pvt Ltd said, “So far IT has
been viewed as a means for social development for this segment, but we believe
that it can also serve as a driver for economic growth. 'Saksham', through
its four levers of innovative business models, public private partÂnership,
localized content and affordable solutions will address the issues that have so
far affected the uptake of IT in the rural segment — be it the lack of
infrastructure and connectivity, or of affordable and relevant IT services and
solutions.”
'Saksham' has been deveÂloped
in close consultation with industry partners and imbibes the principles of
public-private partnership to create a sustainable econoÂmic model and a strong
rural IT ecosystem. 'Saksham' will not only provide local entreÂpreneurs
with the opportuÂnity to set up and manage these kiosks for content and
services, but also provide the local ISV (Independent Software Vendor) community
with the opportunity to develop rural content and applications.
|
Kiosks |
|
Commenting on the extensive
research that has gone into the initiative, Ranjivjit Singh, Group Director,
Consumer Business, Microsoft India, said, “Over the last two years, we
conducted research at 350 kiosks covering 4,000 users across six states in
India, and found that users are looking for a mix of online and offline services
to address a range of socio-economic needs. They want access to government
records, agriculture related information, entertainment and communication
services, access to commercial services such as astrology and matriÂmonial
services, educaÂtion and learning among other things. However there is a gap
between what they want, and what the existing models are able to offer. With
'Saksham' we aim to enable the rural ecosystem to deliver solutions to these
needs.”
Microsoft is also in talks
with banking institutions including State Bank of India, which is currently
running a pilot with Microsoft and IIIT Bangalore in the state of Karnataka, to
provide credit options to entrepreneurs. Microsoft
also announced its partnerships with Drishti, Jai Kisan and n-Logue to roll out
these kiosks across the country
“We will set up 50,000 kiosks across India over the next
three years. This is a great start, but is only the tip of the iceberg. Our
larger aim will be to touch more than 50 percent of the rural population within
three years,” added Singh.