Microsoft has already pledged to set up 50,000 kiosks in Indian villages offering an array of public services.
People in village India now need not run to far-off towns and districts to avail themselves of public services. Help will soon be available close by in the form of kiosks being set up by Microsoft. This initiative will make bank loans, computer and English tutorials, the Internet, entertainment, digital photography, astrology and other desktop-based offline services, available in villages. Over and above these, community discussions, using audio and video chat will also be made possible. In connection with this, Microsoft Worldwide held discussions with the Union Panchayati Raj Minister Mani Shankar Aiyer who is trying to empower panchayati raj institutions across the country. Craig Mundie, Chief Strategic Officer Microsoft Worldwide, and Neelam Dhawan, Managing Director Microsoft India held talks with Mr Aiyer last week on expanding ‘Saksham’
