Spark your dreams with Microsoft

Microsoft India unveiled DreamSpark-a software giveaway for an estimated 10
million plus qualified students in the country. DreamSpark will provide students
access to the latest Microsoft developer and designer tools at no charge. The
program is aligned to Microsoft Unlimited Potential, the company's global effort
to creating sustained social and economic opportunity for everyone.

Addressing students and academicians at IIT Delhi, Bill Gates, Chairman,
Microsoft said, "Microsoft DreamSpark provides professional-level tools that
will inspire students to explore the power of software."

"DreamSpark will provide students access to the latest Microsoft developer and designer tools at no charge" Bill Gates

Microsoft DreamSpark is available to all students whose studies touch on
technology, design, math, science and engineering; as well as technology
hobbyists keen on pursuing a career in the field. Worldwide, several million
people use the software suite.

The professional level software will be available both online on
www.dreamsparkindia.com and in offline format via DVDs distributed by program
partners NIIT, Aptech and Hughes Net Fusion Centers. A student merely needs to
offer a proof of identity at a branch of these institutes to avail of a
DreamSpark DVD. There are 125 NIIT, 175 Aptech, and 200 Hughes Net Fusion
Centers participating across the country.

These program partners will also provide technology training on the
DreamSpark software tools at a nominal cost. There will also be an option of
soft skills training in languages like English and Hindi. Microsoft India is
also working with academic institutions, government bodies and student
organizations across the country to ensure that all students get a chance to
benefit from DreamSpark.

Summing up the initiative, Ravi Venkatesan, Chairman, Microsoft India, said,
"Education is a crucial focus area for India-and it is the level of investment
we put in education today that will shape the economic development and future of
the country. It is imperative that we do everything to endow our new age leaders
with state of art technology, and the capability to utilize it."