Information Systems in Indian Rural Communities

Abstract

Discusses the need for and the factors preventing rural communities in reaping the benefits of information and communication technologies. Presents an overview of information system in social development. Highlights the successful information systems initiatives outside India. Despite the limitations in basic infrastructure and low-level penetration of information technology in India, more than 50 grass roots projects are establishing information systems for the benefit of rural communities. Provides an overview of select rural community information systems in India, viz. Akashganga (cooperative venture), Information Village Experiment (nonprofit research foundation initiative), Wired Villages of Warana (government aided), Gyandoot (government aided), Honey Bee Electronic Network (voluntary) and TARAhaat (private sector initiative). Identifies the bottlenecks, possible solutions and observations on the initiatives of rural information systems. Concludes that the community information system centre can play a key role in meeting the socio-economic aspirations of rural communities by successfully addressing the “8Cs”: connectivity, content, community, commerce, capacity, culture, cooperation and capital.

• Information and communication technologies
• Information systems
• Social development
• Digital divide
• Rural community information systems
• Akashganga
• Information Village Experiment
• Wired Villages of Warana
• Gyandoot
• Honey Bee Electronic Network
• TARAhaat
• Bottlenecks
• Observations and India