Information and Communication Technology in Development Cases from India

About this book

This book documents the successful use of information and communication technology (ICT) in rural development. The book begins with an introductory chapter that traces the history of ICT use in rural India, examines some of the problems that have afflicted the implementation of rural development programmes, at the same time showing how ICT applications could help overcome them, assesses the early efforts in ICT use, and proposes a scheme by which to classify ICT applications. Written by administrators who lead projects in their areas, sixteen case studies follow, which spell out the various applications of ICT that have made a difference in the delivery of services or products in rural India. Among the services covered are health care, milk distribution, disaster management, postal services, telephones, and services for the disabled. These applications of ICT cover the use of simple and inexpensive technologies at one end, and sophisticated satellite-based communication at the other. An important collection that delineates the main elements of a strategy that can be used by governmental agencies to derive maximum developmental impact from investments in ICT.

Contents

PART ONE: INTRODUCTION Information Technology and Development - Subhash Bhatnagar Foundation and Key Issues PART TWO: DECISION SUPPORT TO PUBLIC ADMINISTRATORS FOR IMPROVING PLANNING AND MONITORING OF DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAMMES Electronic Support for Rural Healthcare Workers - Naresh Kumar Reddy and Mike Graves Technological Challenges of the Disaster Management Plan for the State of Maharashtra - Krishna S Vatsa PART THREE: IMPROVING SERVICES TO CITIZENS AND BRINGING IN TRANSPARENCY IT at Milk Collection Centres in Co-Operative Dairies - Rupak Chakravarty The National Diary Development Board Experience Computer-Aided Registration of Deeds and Stamp Duties - J Satyanarayana Computerization of /f003Mandal/f001 Revenue Offices in Andhra Pradesh - Asok Kumar Integrated Certificate Application Application of Information Technology for Rural Postal System - Major Ramakrishnan PART FOUR: EMPOWERING CITIZENS THROUGH ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE Knowledge Network for Recognizing, Respecting and Rewarding Grassroots Innovation - Anil K Gupta, Brij Kothari and Kirit Patel A Wired Village - N Vijayaditya The Warana Experiment PART FIVE: USE OF ICT FOR TRAINING IN RURAL AREAS Inmarsat Experience in Village Telephony - Raj Gupta Satcom for Extension Training - B S Bhatia Satcom for Barefoot Women Managers - Reema Nanavaty Effective Use of Information and Communication Technology for Physically and Socially Disadvantaged Groups - Bhushan Punani Same Language Subtitling for Literacy - Brij Kothari and Joe Takeda Small Change for Colossal Gains Multipurpose Electronics and Computer Centres - Santosh Choubey Promoting IT Centred Maintenance and Employment in Rural Areas PART SIX: FUTURE STRATEGIES Emerging State-Level ICT Development Strategies - Raja Mitra PART SEVEN: CONCLUSION Useful Starting Points for Future Projects - Robert Schware

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