The country we have always considered as on the low–economy and education wise–is now on the roll.
For the past decade, India has been carrying a hefty, almost 1.2 billion population under its belt, a literacy rate of 60% recorded in 2007, and 42% of its people living below poverty line in 2005.
But despite all this, the country has started a climb on its economic ladder since it gains popularity in the business outsourcing industry. Consequently, the IT industry has also bloomed and the Indian government has had a sense of epiphany over it.
Just recently, researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology in Delhi and the Indian Institute of Science in Bengalooru developed what they envision to be the world’s cheapest ‘laptop’.
India’s Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal, launched and displayed the prototype last Friday, July 23, along with the statement:
“The solutions for tomorrow will emerge from India. We have reached a stage that today, the motherboard, its chip, the processing, connectivity, all of them cumulatively cost around $35, including memory, display, everything.” (Gadgetell)
HRD Minister Kapil Sibal and the 'world's cheapest laptop'
Sibal also declared that following the creation of the device were talks with organizations that may agree to cover mass production. He then said that the laptop would be distributed to 110 school children and would be made available to students of higher education later in 2011.
Hewlett-Packard Indian Research Division’s Sudhir Dixit said that this latest foray of India to the IT industry was ” . . . a very strong move with good potential” (guardian.co.uk).
For only $35, the tablet-style, iPad-like laptop would come with 2GB internal memory, Internet browsing and video-conferencing features, and a PDF reader. It would run on a Linux operating software and may be battery- or solar-powered.
The World's Cheapest 'Laptop'
How could something so promising come equally affordable? Sibal reasoned that “We have reached a (developmental) stage that today, the motherboard, its chip, the processing, connectivity, all of them cumulatively cost around $35, including memory, display, everything.” (FOXNews)
The device is India’s addition to its many strategies to increase the country’s digital market being that half of its total population–that is, 60 million people–are registered Internet-users.
But most importantly the laptop is a crucial stage in the Indian government’s hard work for the fulfillment of its vision: a nationwide satisfactory quality education for the year 2010.
Surely, in today’s no-fret, all-practicality age, the Indian-original device is something to anticipate. I have actually started thinking about my own Philippines. How long would our own administration take for a milestone like this one? But definitely, with the Filipino patience and perseverance, I don’t think we have to wait for more years. Someday, Filipinos. I just know it.
We were ready for China then. Are we ready for India now?
Must be. 🙂
Credits: Gadgetell, IStremNews, guardian.co.uk, and FOXNews
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