Microsoft Corporation India Private Limited has announced a partnership with
the Government of West Bengal and Intel Technologies for the state-wide rollout
of Gyandeep, the People's PC Program and Gyanbridhi, the Student's PC
Program. Both the initiatives are aimed at accelerating IT penetration in the
State.
The programs were launched by Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, Chief Minister of West
Bengal in the presence of Manabendra Mukherjee, IT Minister, Government of West
Bengal, Ravi Venkatesan, Chairman, Microsoft India and Siddhartha Das, Director
— Public Affairs & Strategic Initiatives, Intel India Development Centre.
The Student PC Purchase Program branded Gyanbridhi enables students across
government and private schools from classes IX to XII and in higher education to
purchase a PC at attractive financing options from Syndicate Bank and Bank of
India. The PC combo comprises four specially configured PC solutions, including
both hardware and relevant software. The hardware will include PC hardware
(Pentium IV 2.66/ Celeron 2.4/2.53 Mhz), software (Microsoft Windows XP Starter
Edition/ Windows XP Home/ Office XP Professional, Encarta and a Car racing Game
software), and animated educational curriculum as prescribed by WBSEB, IIT and
Medical Entrance tutorials. To avail of this scheme, students need to obtain a
signed letter from the head of their institution.
The Student PC Purchase Program has been designed based on research findings
of AMI Partners which revealed that the majority of students surveyed expressed
an interest to purchase PCs through finance schemes. Further, students in
government schools and lower-income brackets showed a greater keenness to
participate in such schemes.
The Government Employees PC Purchase Program branded Gyandeep, enables
government employees to buy PCs for home use through flexible and affordable
finance schemes spread over 12-48 months. The special government program makes
available PCs configured for users across varying levels of expertise, including
the first time PC user.
PCs under both the Gyandeep and Gyanbridhi programs will be available across
19 state districts through the authorized retail outlets of our hardware
partner, Intel.
Speaking on the need for increasing IT penetration, Ravi Venkatesan,
Chairman, Microsoft Corporation India Pvt Ltd said, "There is a need to
make IT more accessible to a larger majority of the population. Today, if we
closely examine the uptake of IT in India, we remain massively under-invested.
More so in the context of the burgeoning digital divide these figures get
limited to the urban populace in the metros with limited or no access to IT by
the populace in the smaller towns and rural areas. Realizing this need,
Microsoft is committed to create a digitally inclusive society wherein we reach
out to a larger majority of Indians with affordable and localized IT solutions.
With the launch of Gyandeep, the People's PC program we are confident that
together with the Government of West Bengal and Intel we will be able to provide
affordable access to relevant technology solutions for the people of the
state."
Lauding the West Bengal Government's efforts and leadership Siddhartha Das,
Director — Public Affairs & Strategic Initiatives, Intel India Development
Centre said, "We acknowledge the support that the Government of West Bengal
has shown to facilitate the reach of Information technology to the masses. We
believe that programs like these which help in empowering through technology
when endorsed and supported by State Governments will definitely help us in
making India an IT Nation."
DQW News Bureau
New Delhi
People PC program
Microsoft is collaborating with the Government and Intel to deliver:
-
Student PC Purchase Program (Gyanbridhi): Offering
the student community (Class IX —XII and in Higher Education) both the
hardware and software at an EMI of Rs 499. It will also include the
educational content as prescribed by the West Bengal State Education Board (WBSEB). -
Government Employees PC Purchase Program (Gyandeep): Specially
designed PC solution bundle for government employees at an affordable EMI of
Rs.399.