Indian government has launched a low cost access-cum-computing device for e-learners and teachers, which would be made available to educational institutions across India by 2011. The computer would cost under a dollar (Rs.1500) and it will be one of the cheapest computers in the world! India, thus demonstrated to the World that a cheaper computer could be made, which will give 20 crore children in India, access to Computers! Indian Institutes of Technology and other leading technical institutions in India are now constituting research teams to meet the wide range of issues in achieving the ultimate goal in term of price and quality.

India hit the headlines of world newspapers, when its leading manufacturing house, Tata announced its intention to manufacture the cheapest car in the world – Tata Nano. Now, it again hit the headlines with this news of the Indian government’s attempt to build a computer for under a dollar (Rs.1500)!!!

This cheap computing device can be primarily used to surf the internet. It has a touchscreen display and a built in keyboard! The computer is powered by a single unit system and has a 2GB RAM. It also supports Wi-Fi connectivity and has a USB port! In terms of power, the device is powered by a 2-watt system, which will help the device to even run in the remotest corners of India!

However, while the technology is available, the information & technology ministry is yet to work out the modalities of distribution, as this would require connectivity and also involve transportation costs.

The government will also try and patent some technology used in this low cost device, though most of the parts were available off the shelf. Apart from a touch-screen, the device also has video-conferencing facility, multimedia content, searchable Pdf reader, an unzip tool, and some storage. Work is now on to provide these computers with solar panels.

Connectivity is proposed to be provided to universities and colleges under the National Mission on Education through Information and Technology (NMEICT).

Initially, when the idea for a low cost computer was proposed, there was lukewarm response from the computer manufacturers in India, to the Ministry’s proposal, following which discussions were held with a group of experts at the Indian Institute of Science (IISC) in Bangalore and various Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). Now that technology is available, the Ministry expects many corporates to volunteer to produce the computing device, and make it available commercially!