>From [EMAIL PROTECTED] Mon May 27 00:32:23 2002
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Old PCs can give schools new life
(http://www.propoor.org/news/xar0518.asp#3)
May 18, 2002, Kolkata, India
Source: Times of India
All Government-run schools in West Bengal can get free computers if
corporates in the State donate their obsolete machines.
A software firm has offered to use Linux operating system to bring the dead
machines back to life for use in schools. This will save the State
Government^Òs depleted coffers of several crores of rupees.
An Indo-US joint venture firm is in talks with West Bengal Government
through nodal agency Webel to offer zerocost installation of computers and
train teachers in Government schools.
The programme has already been implemented at 600 schools in Goa. "We tied
up with an NGO to import obsolete 386 and 486 series PCs. Since, they were
treated as junk, we got them for free. Upgraded with Linux, they are now in
use at schools," said Shankar Iyer, training manager of Red Hat India which
initiated the programme.
Following the Goa success story, NGOs and Governments in Andhra Pradesh and
Kerala have evinced interest. Gujarat was also on the firm^Òs radar but has
been temporarily removed following the disturbances.
In West Bengal, the company hopes this will happen as early as next month.
Iyer is now trying to tie up with NGOs in Kolkata to drum up support for the
cause.
The hurdle comes from unexpected quarters - In India, more so in Kolkata,
old PCs too have value. "We hope large corporates will forgo the monetary
benefit and donate them," he said.
The company has tied up with Indian Institute of Rural Automation, an
educational society for spreading computer education and total IT solutions
in rural and urban areas.
This will help the company push Linux training to enterprises in rural and
urban areas.
With the focus on Government and rural sector for Linux adoption, the
company is pushing its "cheaper and better" USP. Linux costs a fourth that
of other operating systems since it does not follow the proprietory
approach. Since there is no concept of piracy, it is cheaper to implement.
"We are in talks with West Bengal, Uttaranchal, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh
Governments for implementing it in their e-governance initiatives," he
added.
- Ashish
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