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ICTs for Development

See how Information and Communication Technologies are bringing changes in people's lives for the better.

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India to launch "Spoken Web Services" for farmers: Farmers across the country will have their agriculture and weather-related queries answered quickly through the service.
e-housing for India's underserved communities: The e-housing scheme in the Indian state of Kerala ensures hassle free and transparent disbursement of pro-poor funds for the scheduled caste population.
Smaller fonts for bigger forests: Minus One Project is a CSR initiave which campaigns to reduce the font size of a document before printing for less paper consumption.
Green news on iPad, iPhone: A free, customisable application for iPad and iPhone, created by Taptu and powered by Guardian is a one-stop source of latest environment news.
Indian portal encourages to donate goods: An online Indian portal e-daan seeks to mobilise donated goods by finding someone who needs exactly what you no longer need.
An iphone app to tackle climate change: A new iPhone application launched by the United Nations Environment Programme highlights the role of ecosystems in tackling climate change.
Take back the streets: A popular website dedicated to ending street harassment in New York and in the Indian cities of New Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai uses the power of the web and blogging to create awareness of street harassment.
Afghan children ready to walk down "Sesame Street": An Afghan version of "Sesame Street" will debut on two local television channels to encourage learning capacities and cultural awareness among preschool children.
Technology for Indian non-profits: Datawind, the inventor of world’s cheapest tablet and the NASSCOM Foundation have announced a contest to bridge the digital divide in India wherein the non-profits will stand an opportunity to improve their operations and programme implementation to bridge the digital divide.
M-governance gains momentum in India: Indian states have successfully deployed various mobile-based technologies to offer better public services due to familiarity of people with mobile-based applications.
Hi-tech healthcare for rural Indian patients: Cisco’s new healthcare service in the state of Madhya Pradesh will allow doctors to examine and monitor patients at distant health centres and provide specialist consultations via video and audio links.
E-mails, SMSes to expedite identity number delivery: Unique Identification Authority of India is all set to dispatch Aadhaar numbers (UIDAI numbers) to people through SMSes and emails before sending it by post to prevent delay in distribution of the Aadhaar cards.
E-mails, SMSes to expedite UIDAI number dispatches: Unique Identification Authority of India is all set to communicate Aadhaar numbers (UIDAI numbers) to people through SMSes and emails before sending it by post to prevent delay in distribution of the Aadhaar cards.
Google offers free websites for small Indian business: In an effort to bridge the information gap, Google India will provide free websites and hosting to small and medium businesses for one year to help them get online.
Technology gives employment to Bangladesh's migrant workers: The Bangladeshi government is looking to simplify the process for citizens who want to work overseas by posting their personal information on a government website.
Giving citizens right to public services through ICT: The Right to Public Services Act in the Indian state of Bihar utilises ICT tools to enable the citizens to demand time-bound services from public servants ensuring corruption-free public service delivery.
A mobile app to enhance employability: An innovative m-learning module developed by the British Council and Avon Mobility Solutions will help potential job seekers in India to enhance employability by improving their vocabulary, CV composition and soft skills.
India: Delhi creates data bank to prevent information loss: Around 6,000 desktops have been installed across all institutions of Municipal Corporation of Delhi connecting them online to lessen paper work and avoid data loss.
Delhi to launch phone application for women's safety: To address soaring women harassment cases in Delhi, a charity will launch a fight back phone app in November that can protect a girl from attackers by sending simultaneous alerts to her friends, family, police and social networking sites through a single push button.
Bangladesh launches its first laptop: In an effort to cut the digital divide in the country, Bangladesh has unveiled its first laptop named Doel, priced at $130. In the pipeline are plans to make it available to millions of students living in remote areas.
India launches world’s cheapest tablet computer: India has unveiled world’s cheapest touch screen tablet computer worth $35 that will provide inexpensive internet access to 10 million students living in remote areas.
Online system to protect migrant Indian workers: A web-based information sharing system for overseas Indian workers will be trialled in the United Arab Emirates. The scheme by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs will allow attestation of employment contracts thus preventing abuses of worker's rights.
Community radio to educate migrant children: The Sesame Workshop Trust launches its latest initiative, the Galli Galli Sim Sim Radiophone project, in a suburb of the Indian capital. Disadvantaged children from Gurgaon's migrant communities can now access health and hygiene education via broadcasts on local community radio through mobile phones or 3G downloads.
Bringing unheard voices to the fore: Gawaahi is a unique venture that couples ICT with social activism to bring forth under-represented voices of the Pakistani society. It is an online archive of videos and digital stories that aims to promote critical social issues that do not gain sufficient media attention.
A digital slate for microfinance: A low-cost digital system, invented by Microsoft Research and NGO PRADAN, records the microfinance transactions of rural Self help Groups in digital as well as in the written format to make then easy and effective.
m-Health projects cutting maternal mortality: A United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) project is giving mothers access to fistula treatment by transferring money through SMS to cover travel expenses to a clinic. This is one of a number of UNFPA projects that use communication technology to improve maternal health care in developing countries.
e-deals for land in Indian state: Under the e-Zameen project, the state government of Gujarat has created an electronic database of land holdings which can authenticate land deals online. This has helped expedite the otherwise cumbersome process of procedural formalities.
Educating children on HIV through technology: A newly developed interactive software is offering an effective means of teaching children about HIV/AIDS using videos, interactive menus and voice-overs.
A lifeline to public services: Jeevan centres in the Indian capital facilitate single-window electronic delivery of over hundred different government services free of cost to its citizens. But despite it's rapid growth, the system suffers from under-utilisation of infrastructure, heavy competition and lack of innovation.
Digital Green: For more productive agriculture: The low-cost Digital Green initiative in India prepares video DVDs of live demonstrations of agricultural practices by experts to be distributed among small farmers in remote areas. By building on existing social linkages, the initiative is ten times more cost effective in disseminating good farming practices for higher productivity.
E-solution for public complaints: The Indian state government of Orissa has launched a new technology platform to solve the grievances of its citizens. Supported by the UN Millennium Campaign, 'Samadhan' will send real-time feedback to people on government service delivery to accelerate the achievement of the MDGs.
Technology for better eye care in India: An ICT based initiative has decentralised and improved the quality of eye care in rural areas in the eastern state of Tripura. The state project's success has now inspired the Indian government to include tele-ophthalmology in the national 12th Five Year Plan.
Virtual wallet for all: The first complete mobile financial service in Bangladesh will enable ordinary people to receive electronic money in their mobile phone accounts which they can cash-out through agents. The mobile wallet is a secure platform to enjoy banking services without holding a formal bank account.
Mobiles to revolutionise Indian schools: Mobile toolkits will soon be used by 60 schools across India for conducting detailed assessments. Reasearchers believe that digitising the test system will make it less time consuming and improve feedback on students' performances.
WHO launches web portal to combat malnutrition: A new web based information system eLENA by the World Health Oganisation will provide standardised guidelines to governments and healthcare workers to tackle all forms of malnutrition worldwide.
e-Kiosks to boost IT literacy in Sri Lanka: The Sri Lankan government is planning to establish 35 new telecentres equipped with internet and satellite communication facilities to raise IT literacy among its citizens to 75% by 2016.
Timely weather alerts benefit economy: The Indian Meteorological Department having improved its weather forecasting has extended farming updates by text messages to farmers through its Agromet Advisory Service. The nation as witnessed a significant rise in the contribution of its primary sector to its GDP due to the advancement.
UN aims poverty reduction through mobile technology: Millions of poor in Africa and South Asia will get low-cost Movirtu cloud phone numbers enabling them to access banking and agricultural services. The United Nations backed scheme aims to improve the lives of 50 million people by improving their livelihood through mobile technology.
Freedom TB: Mobiles for tuberculosis treatment: The Freedom Tuberculosis (TB) programme provides relevant information on the disease, treatment schedules and medicine alerts on patients' mobile phones. An initiative by ZMQ software systems, with support from Microsoft, it promotes awareness among patients and connects them with health service providers for treatment.
In their voice: CGNet Swara in Chhattisgarh is a mobile radio platform that has helped bring tribal issues to national attention.
India plans rural development through fiber optic network: The Indian government has announced nation wide plans to extend the existing fiber optical network to rural areas. The move will boost the village economy by creating additional jobs and curbing migration to urban centres.
Private FM stations to start broadcasting news: The Indian government has decided to permit private radio stations to broadcast news from the state run all-India radio. Non-news information to be broadcasted includes local administration’s public announcements, natural calamities and health alerts.
ICT innovations for public information: A knowledge sharing workshop in Bangladesh highlighted ICT innovations in South Asia for enhanced access to public information. The workshop was organised by OneWorld Foundation India and the World Bank Institute to create a knowledge base without frontiers.
India: Website to track sex-determination: Maharashtra government has launched a new website and a helpline to allow people to provide tip-offs about illegal sex determination tests. Complaints will be recorded anonymously on the website to effectively track such cases.
India: Passport application to become swifter, easier: New passport application centers aim to provide reliable and transparent services to applicants. The e-governance initiative will make the process quicker and more convenient.
Video blogging empowers women: Women Aloud Video Blogging for Empowerment (WAVE) is a platform for women to raise their opinions about social issues through video blogging. This nationwide initiative encourages the use of ict tools to give them a voice and steady employment.
Newly designed ATM for rural areas: A low cost, energy efficient model of ATM as been designed to facilitate banking in rural areas.The ATM works on solar power and is equipped with several unconventional features like dispensing of soiled notes instead of fresh ones.
India: Smartcards for PDS: Paper based ration cards in parts of Northern India have been replaced by new Public Distribution System (PDS) smartcards. This will be replicated nationwide to tackle the issue of fake cards and streamline the foodgrain distribution system.
An online platform to strengthen food security: Indian state of Chhattisgarh has devised a computerised mechanism to combat the corruption and leakages in the Public Distribution System. The new system provides effective monitoring right from procurement of food grains to their distribution.
Giving voice to people with speech disabilities: An ICT application enables text to be spoken through an iPad giving voice to people with speech disabilities. The simple application comes free of cost and can be used globally.
India: Government portal to debate on tax evasion: The government has decided to invite the public's view on the subject of black money through a new portal. The finance ministry hopes the soon to be launched portal will help decide if the issue demands a tough law.
Paid a bribe? Go, tell the world!: A website ipaidabribe.com launched by an NRI couple offers a platform to the ordinary citizens to candidly share their experiences with the ‘bribery culture’ in India. Around 10,000 incidents have been registered on the website which is gaining popularity in exposing cases of bribery.
World Bank loan for Bangladesh's identification system: The World Bank is assisting the government of Bangladesh to develop a national identification system for efficient public service delivery. The project envisages mainstreaming information technology as a pro-poor tool to reduce poverty, establish good governance and ensure social equity.
An information network for Indian farmers: Tamil Nadu’s Department of Agriculture has successfully created an internet based information network for 80 lakh farmers in the state. The system envisages itself as a comprehensive knowledge portal to disseminate relevant information to farmers.
An online blood bank: The website, friends2support, works as a virtual blood bank by quickly connecting blood donors to blood seekers through an online interface.
India's poverty census turns digital: The Ministry of Rural Development has given a new twist to its next BPL census that identifies households living below the national poverty line. About 600,000 hand-held devices will be used by the government to speed up the survey and reduce errors.
Maternal health tips on mobiles: USAID along with its partners has launched a mobile information system which will deliver vital health tips to new and expectant mothers in India, Bangladesh and South Africa. These mobile health messages will inform women of ante-natal and postnatal care besides connecting them with local health services.
Fisher-friendly mobile application in India: Fisher Friend Mobile Advisory (FFMA) application in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu offers fishing related vital information to fisher folk through mobiles for a safer and more profitable venture into the sea.
Storm warning system for fishermen in Bangladesh: Fishermen venturing into the Bay of Bengal face frequent storms threatening their lives and livelihoods. Oxfam International and local NGOs partnered with Airtel Bangladesh to develop an early storm warning system to ensure their safety in the sea.
SMS alerts on soil health for Indian farmers: In the recently held National Conference on Agriculture for Kharif Campaign the Government of Haryana launched a unique SMS alert service that will be used by the agriculture department to spread tips on soil health to farmers.
Now, free access to some of India's traditional knowledge: The Traditional Knowledge Digital Library of India which earlier had limited access to information is now planning to release a section of their documents to common users. This move will enable researchers to develop drugs for malaria and tuberculosis through free access to some of these documents.
India advances towards m-governance: To leverage the deeper penetration of mobile phones than the internet among Indian population, the govt. has initiated policy making for m-governance. This is expected to expand the access and reach of public services to all residents, especially in rural areas.
e-Toilets: New face of sanitation in India: Eram Scientific Solutions, a Kerala based firm, developed the country’s first e-toilets through amalgamation of electronics, web and mobile technologies to revolutionise sanitation in India.
J&K mulls ICT initiatives to save forests: The Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir is gearing up to employ ICT tools to monitor and manage its forests more effectively. The initiative is expected to accelerate the pace of implementation of the forest policy adopted recently by the forest department.
India: Government to set up 150 smart schools nationwide: The Indian government has proposed to establish 150 smart schools across the country the revised Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in School scheme. Proposals for 55 smart schools in 11 states and two union territories have been cleared so far.
Indian government steadily going 2.0: Social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter are becoming the latest apparatus of the government of India in ensuring active participation of the citizens in governance. Various government departments like Ministry of External Affairs, India Post, Delhi Traffic Police and MCD are reaping the benefits of emerging social media in the country.
India launches Sanchar Shakti to e-mpower rural women: In an attempt to bridge the digital divide, the Sanchar Shakti scheme envisages creating ICT skills among rural women by providing useful information to women about health, social issues and government schemes over their mobile phones. The scheme seeks involvement of women Self Help Groups for its successful implementation.
Agro-advisory system by women combats drought, pests: An agriculture research institute in southern India is responding real-time to the knowledge needs of farmers by training women to interact virtually with scientists and seek solutions. This agro-advisory system has helped local residents battle a severe drought which struck the region a couple of years back.
Indian Panchayats to have broadband connectivity by 2012: The government of India, to ensure financial and electronic empowerment of its machineries, has decided to equip every panchayat in the country with high speed broadband internet access by 2012. The step recognises ICT as an important tool to ensure quality and transparency in process of development
New software to check maternal mortality in Tamil Nadu, India: A software will soon be used in Primary Health Centres in the state of Tamil Nadu India to keep tabs on the mother throughout her ante-natal period and the child until the age of one year. The software will generate a unique number will be generated for every pregnant woman to maintain a record of their weight, scan results, anemia and nutrition details.
India: Bihar first state to put information of 70,000 schools online: In an effort to improve the quality of education, Bihar, previously India’s most under-developed state has become the first to put information of all its 70,000 government schools online. Known as the School Report Card, it gives valuable information about overall status of education along with details of students, teachers, quality of infrastructure, etc.
India: Government encourages participation in Census 2011 through social networking: The Registrar General and Census Commissioners’ office is using social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter to connect with citizens to promote participation in the second phase of Census 2011.
2011 to be a digital year for Delhi: With the finalisation of IT Act of Delhi, the Information Technology Department of Delhi Government is planning to computerise all the departments to create a transparent and efficient e-Delhi. Installation of over 50 cameras of 5 km range on roof-tops of multi-storeyed buildings to curb crime and manage disasters is among the many more initiatives under the Act.
UP using cellphones to monitor mid-day meal scheme: Cloud telephony is helping the state of UP to monitor whether daily mid-day meals are being delivered in government schools or not. The central government may now deploy adopt the mechanism nation-wide.
India: Orissa state government to computerise PDS: The Orissa government has decided on a complete overhaul of the state’s Public Distribution System. The decision comes following the reports of manipulation and recommendations from an expert committee. Authorities are also mulling over computerisation of stocking centres to minimise corruption.
Inexpensive laptops make way for e-literacy in rural India: In Uttarakhand, where children have little or no access to computer education, a joint initiative by a local NGO, and Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University has rekindled the e-literacy opportunity among school children. A 100 dollar laptop for every child might serve as a model for ICT in education.
India: Prison outsourcing unit set for operation: A unique outsourcing unit established in the Cherlapalli jail in India’s southern city of Hyderabad is expected to be functional by the end of January. The BPO unit will begin working with 50-odd inmate "employees" and the work experience is expected to fetch them jobs if and when they are released.
Bihar deploys 3G mobiles to track road construction: Bihar is set to become the first state in the country to deploy the latest GPS enabled Android phones to monitor road construction.
India: Experts urge development of ICT for equal opportunities: Experts from the field of information and technology, present at the 7th Manthan Award South Asia 2010, called for developing an Indian ICT model to empower and promote innovations at the grassroots level.
New smart chip to fight chronic body pain: A smart chip, INS2, developed in Australia, promises to fight chronic body pain. The chip is implanted on the target nerve to monitor and block nerve impulses carrying pain signals to the brain and can also be ‘fine-tuned’ to manage different levels of pain.
ICT based solutions can cut GHGs by 10%: ICT based solutions can reduce India’s total green house gas emission by 10%, says a report. Of the 100 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emission reduction target by 2015, ICT adoption in buildings, transport and many other sectors could approximately achieve 30% of the target.
Bangladesh's farmers to sell sugarcane through SMS: Bangladesh PM has launched the e-purji system wherein, sugarcane growers shall be issued permits through SMS to sell sugarcane. This will reduce corruption by eliminating middlemen from the process.
MasterCard provides payment solution for India's UID card holders: MasterCard Worldwide has collaborated with India’s Unique Identification Authority to provide easy payment solutions for UID account holders with the objective of enabling financial inclusion of millions of people. The solution supports prepaid, debit and credit payment products and will empower ‘Aadhaar’ account holders to move towards electronic transactions.
Global Stockholm Challenge Award for Kissan Kerala project: The Kissan Kerala project, an integrated multi-modal Agricultural Information System of the Department of Agriculture, Government of Kerala has received an ‘Honourable Mention’ at the prestigious Global Stockholm Challenge Awards 2010. The Karshaka Information Systems Services and Networking (Kissan) is one of the leading citizen centric e-governance projects for the farming community across Kerala.
Innovations in technology to lead disaster management in India: Recent natural and manmade disasters have highlighted the need for modern disaster management strategies in the country. The advent of several state of the art technologies— remote sensing satellites, tsunami buoys, peak ground acceleration, high frequency radio networks - can help in this regard.
Haryana to respond to RTI queries through SMS: The Haryana State Information Commission is ready to implement an SMS service that will provide answers to RTI queries like status of appeals, complaints, decisions and the dates of hearing of cases.
Microsoft to provide eGov solutions for Indian states: Indian states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal may soon benefit from e-governance solutions provided by software giant Microsoft. These solutions are pioneering the low-cost cloud computing mechanism to be employed for e-governance plans in India.
India: 97,392 villages go online: Bharat Nirman II, the flagship programme of the GoI, envisages to provide broadband connectivity to all village panchayats of India. 97,392 villages have already benefited from it.
Mobiles to transform healthcare in India: India may soon address healthcare needs in the rural area through mobiles. mHealth or mobile health solutions can be relatively affordable, and with the wide proliferation of mobile communication technologies in the rural areas, they can be ideal to provide healthcare at the grassroots level.
Mobile connect for refugees with Refunite service: Refunite - a free mobile service is helping as an online tracing tool to aid refugees search for their families as discreetly as they want, and with very basic text messaging exchange.
3G services to revolutionise communication around Mt. Everest: Nepal has launched high speed internet services at the base camp of Mount Everest. These 3G services will bring faster, more affordable telecommunication services to the people living in the remote Khumbu Valley, trekkers, and climbers alike.
Punjab farmers to enjoy e-payment: The Punjab government, along with FCI is all set to introduce e-payment system for the farmers who sell their produce to the government. Payment will be credited online to the commission agents within 48 hours.
Biometric cards for PDS in Assam: Biometric ration cards have been introduced in the north-eastern state of Assam, India for PDS beneficiaries. The biometric technology helps to identify and remove duplicate registration of beneficiaries and also eradicate invalid ration cards.
National Innovation Council to create new service delivery systems: Bharat Nirman Innovation Fund has been set up to encourage innovations in India. Its nodal agency, the National Innovation Council is presently creating a gram swaraj portal that will link 2.5 lakh panchayats and address core development issues.
India breaks ground in issuing biometric ids nationwide: The first set of Unique Identification Numbers which will provide a nationally valid and verifiable single source of biometric identity proof to the citizens of the country will be launched in India soon . With this, India will become the first country to implement the idea on a national scale.
IT education for government school children in Jharkhand: Government secondary schools in Jharkhand will be equipped with desktop computers to familiarise the students with elementary computer education and the use of internet. This provides the underprivileged children a chance to get integrated into mainstream IT education.
Mobile broadband to augment India's farm sector: In a report titled Mobile Broadband-Outlook 2015, it has been projected that mobile broadband- based services can help farmers save about Rs600 crore over the next five years. It stated that through its services access to information on prices, weather conditions and other productivity will improve.
Counselling centre aids remote Afghan youth: UNICEF-funded Psycho-social Counseling Training programme organised by YICC in remote Daikundi province of Afghanistan provided a platform for the young participants to discuss problems of domestic conflict and gender violence. The centers aim to empower them to develop skills and actively participate in society.
India: Smart farming via Reuters mobile alerts: In the Vidarbha region of India, Reuters Market Light provides customised mobile alerts to farmers on various aspects – from sowing seeds to marketing agricultural produce. This has revolutionised the decision-making process resulting in improved productivity and augmented incomes of the agricultural households.
Bihar launches e-Kisan Bhawans: Government of Bihar has set up e-Kisan Bhawans at block levels to integrate the state’s agricultural sector into the world wide web. These bhawans (buildings) will act as information and advisory centres for framers.
GPS to streamline Lankan Railways: Sri Lanka is all set to deploy the Global Position System (GPS) and the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) for effective management of railway services and optimised commuter satisfaction.
'Silent Observer' to stem female foeticide: A new device is helping Maharashtra government identify cases of female foeticide. Information provided by this device, which is fitted to a sonography machine, is vital not only to track pregnancy tests but also to detect unreported terminations.
All Common Service Centres to be connected by 2011: For an effective roll out of the National e-governance plan, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, GOI has announced to connect all the Common Service Centres with the World Wide Web within a year. The plan emphasises on mainstreaming rural India with the global ICT network.
End the conspiracy of silence in media: Last week, noted journalists and propounders of media rights gathered at the Ramnath Goenka Excellence Awards function to felicitate Indian scribes for their outstanding contribution. Besides drawing attention to those who write without fear or favour, it brought out the darker side of the profession — the phenomenon of paid news.
Bhutan takes quick steps to digitisation: For computer engineer Philip Smith, connecting Bhutan to the world wide web was just another task, but it was a quantum leap for the Bhutanese. Since then information technology has progressed by leaps and bounds and has helped locals to share their unique culture.
Indian cities use mobiles to track MGNREGA progress: West Bengal and Karnataka government have initiated the process of shifting the MGNREGA processes to mobile phones, to ensure transparency, information dissemination, online monitoring and evaluation. Programme officer use the hand-held device before starting any task and later to get status of the project under the scheme.
Unbelievable Bihar: A brand new image of the state: On the likes of Incredible India and Vibrant Gujarat, ‘Unbelievable Bihar’, a new website is being prepared that would provide information on the state’s identity, culture, and several initiatives taken for industrial development. Visitors would be able to access details through pictures, video films and articles.
Citizen journalism reaches remote tribal areas: Former BBC journalist, Shubranshu Choudhury, has devised a new way of reaching the remote tribal areas of Chhattisgarh in an attempt to bring them into the mainstream. Swara, enables the tribals to tell their version of stories, in their language and through a medium accessible to them.
EPR to aid e-waste: Is India ready?: As the e-waste problem soars in India, a new draft that makes a producer of electrical and electronic equipment responsible for the collection and appropriate disposal of e-waste is underway. Expert fear that the EPR concept may pose greater challenges since the larger cause of environment is missing.
India: Nanotechnology could drive better healthcare: Nanotechnology can be instrumental in improving public health in India with better medical practices and affordability. However, the effectiveness of such initiative depends on various factors that includes a conducive environment and active participation from private sector as well as communities.
Indian drivers get smart with an e-license: India crossed its first milestone of an ambitious plan by supplying 10 million drivers with an e- drivers license. The card is equipped with necessary information about the driver and will prove to be revolutionary in managing the information database as well as protecting car related accidents and thefts.
United Nations publications at finger touch: The United Nations ventures into digital learning with the release of the e-book applications for the new generation devices like iPhone, iPad and Amazon's Kindle. The application will expand its role as prominent source for reference on global issues and will give users easy access to offline reading.
Digital classrooms encouraging learning in Maldives: Maldives has introduced digital classrooms to spark interest in learning among students, thereby enabling the country to meet its goal on education. With the success in attention in the country’s oldest school, the government plans to replicate the pilot project in other schools.
India joins next-gen telescope project: India has been granted observer status at the Thirty Metre Telescope (TMT) project, world’s most advanced and capable astronomical observatory located on Mauna Kea, Hawaii, which is scheduled to begin operations in 2018. Scientists are hopeful that the observer status will be converted into full partnership soon.
Indian state to install GPS to track food supply: Chhattisgarh will go hi-tech to monitor the state's food scheme spread across 18 districts. Around 600 vehicles will be equipped with GPS devices providing information on the time taken by vehicles carrying rice after loading at the warehouses and before unloading the rice at PDS shops.
Low-tech aids monitoring of projects in South Asia: The World Bank ICT unit is promoting simple and sustainable tech systems in India and Afghanistan to improve project outcomes and result in better services for poor people. It has proposed GPS cameras, cell phones, and smart cards to get timely, reliable information, and monitoring of multi-site projects.
Healthcare just a SMS away in Kerala: The Kerala State Information Technology Mission (KSITM) has introduced a free SMS based information access service that would provide localised listing of addresses and phone numbers of health facilities. A host of other 20 mobile-based health services will also be launched in July this year.
Technology bridges distance between teacher and students: Tele-education classes through a plasma TV, will be initiated for students of the African Union from July as part of the Pan-African e-network project with DU. Similar initiatives by universities and institutions in varied sectors such as, tele-medicine, e-Governance, e-Commerce, resource mapping, meteorological services and infotainment are in the pipeline.
Let's connect collaborate and make a difference: Networking giant Cisco India launched its interactive technology platform myhumannetwork.com with an aim to integrate various people and organisations working in the field of social development. This platform will allow them to share multimedia content about their initiatives with like-minded people and find solutions on various issues.
India: Doctors to go 24X7 with patients: Apollo healthcare and IT giant Cisco has entered into a telemedicine partnership to bring diagnostic and medical services within the reach of every individual through ICTs. This will allow doctors to stay in touch with patients 24x7, supported by a laptop, web camera and internet connection.
Bangladesh: Wireless revolution across the delta: Where not even 50% of the population have electricity, mobile networks have ushered in a new revolution by empowering millions in Bangladesh. With financial assistance from ADB, Grameenphone is changing the way women, farmers and small traders are conducting their business and sharing information.
Video on Indian mother wins Webby: ‘In Silence’, a documentary based on an Indian woman who died during childbirth, which was produced by Human Rights Watch has won the Webby People's Voice Award. HRW has urged the Indian government to take action on women's basic human rights to life, health, and non-discrimination to improve their condition.
Language disparity hinders internet expansion in Pakistan: Expansion of Internet use in Pakistan faces several constraints in contrast to other media. Chronic electricity shortages and widespread language fragmentation are major hindrances to its expansion. CRULP is trying to develop computational models of Urdu and other regional languages to fix the problem.
Bangladesh awards licenses to set up community radio: The Bangladesh government has awarded licences to twelve organisations to set up community radio (CR) stations that is expected to change the country’s media scenario, with greater focus towards rural development. Earlier, various NGOs and UNESCO’s Dhaka office launched a campaign to mobilise support for community radios.
India's UID project renamed as Aadhaar: The Indian government has renamed its new project to provide unique identity cards to all citizens as 'Aadhaar' and also unveiled its new logo on Monday. The project aims to increase people’s access to education, food and microfinance and streamline payments under social welfare schemes.
UID to offer banking benefits to poor: A new report released by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) last week offered to provide millions of poor with easy banking services. It will help in establishing a microfinance network, with the aim to improve access to technologies such as mobile phone banking.
India gets two more earthquake observatories: The Union Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG) is setting up two more Multi-parametric Geophysical Observatories to monitor earthquake prone areas of Andaman Islands and Shillong, Meghalaya. Equipped with seismographs and accelerographs it will provide real time data to the scientists.
India's tea gardens to undergo satellite imagery: Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO) has decided to map country’s tea gardens in order to prepare a comprehensive geo-spatial database which will eventually help in tea area development. It also aims to prepare an inventory of all tea gardens.
Bangladesh: A model for sustainable community radio: Terry Thielen speaking at a conference organised by BNNRC in Bangladesh said that the country was well prepared, and ready to begin the process of establishing community radio stations all across. She also gave recommendations to different players in community radio initiative and suggested capacity building activities.
M-STrIPES to monitor tiger conservation efforts: Monitoring System for Tigers’-Intensive Protection and Ecological Status, the software monitoring system launched by the Indian Government would enable field managers to keep an eye on forest guards’ patrol intensity and spatial coverage. Initially being implemented in six tiger reserves, the system aims to reduce the vulnerability of tigers.
UIDAI to issue first ID set next February: The Unique Identification Authority of India is set to issue the first set of identity numbers in February 2011. The pilot project to begin by August this year is expected to remove the barrier of non-identity which prevented the poor from accessing government schemes, and bring benefits.
Telemedics in Nepal to improve rural healthcare: Nepal’s government is set to introduce a new scheme ‘telemedicine’ that makes use of the Internet to improve health care in the country’s remote villages. It will connect 25 district hospitals to specialist consultants in the capital using satellite technology to provide them faster and better medical aid.
E-waste disposal scheme for India's capital: The Chief Minister of Delhi inaugurated the new e- waste disposal scheme yesterday, with a focus on systematic and hygienic disposal of e-waste to minimise the danger to nature. She distributed 16 e-waste disposal bins along with 42 paper recycling machines.
Computer skills helping youth reclaim their lives: The Uddami project which began modestly about 10 years ago in its present south Kolkata location provides computer skills to youths primarily from the surrounding slums, so that they can become technologically empowered as well as learn to become truly self-sufficient.
India geared up for biometric census: The biometric census, launched in India will form the base of the national Population Register where every citizen over the age of 15 will be photographed and fingerprinted. The process that begins with houselisting will aid the government in issuing identity cards, policymaking, planning and budget allocations.
India's largest state gets Meena Radio in Hindi: For the first time in Hindi, Meena Radio is being broadcasted in Uttar Pradesh, India’s largest state under the joint support of IKEA Social Initiative, UNICEF, the UP Government and All India Radio. The aim is to promote education among school drop-outs, especially girls.
Information highway to connect Bangladesh with neighbours: An ambitious Information Highway (Bangladesh Part) scheduled to begin in July and completed by December 2011 will boost connectivity between South Asian countries in key areas and make Bangladesh self-reliant. It aims to reduce the power distribution loss and connect rural e-centres to generate new jobs.
National Free Software Coalition formed in India: The third National Free Software conference announced the formation of a national coalition, the National Free Software Movement of India. Taking forward the ideology of free knowledge, science and digital societies, delegates emphacised on the need for public debate on these issues.
Bhutanese scribes learn about media ethics: A workshop organised by UNESCO in partnership with Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development offered training on media ethics to participants from the Bhutan Broadcasting Service and other media professionals of the country. It was aimed towards helping them address ethical aspects of the journalistic practice in a globalised world.
Experts connect to Bangladeshi communities through web: The government of Bangladesh is working to develop the rural areas by connecting them to the urban centers through the internet. It plans to cover all villages and provide guidance and support on issues relating to agriculture, health, education through the web by 2021.
GPS Road Pilot navigator to explore India: India's leading maps and GPS navigation solutions provider, MapmyIndia has launched a new device, Road Pilot, which will revolutionise the mapping industry. A 3.5-inch touchscreen GPS Navigator, it bundles up maps of about 620 Indian cities helping guide users through several destinations and in saving power.
Radio station for the voiceless: Supported by an NGO, Gurgaon ki Awaaz, a civil society-led community radio station in India’s National Capital Region provides a platform to the marginalised, especially local communities who remained voiceless throughout the transformation of Gurgaon from a sleepy cluster of villages 20 years ago to a Millennium City.
Geotagging sea turtles: The first-ever satellite telemetry tagging of an Olive Ridley in India’s southern coast will aid scientists across the world to study the marine turtle behaviour and ecology. A GPS transmitter cemented onto a turtle named Sumitha has successfully helped to track the migratory paths, further boosting the conservation efforts.
TV series to explore Bangladesh connectivity: BBC Bangla’s special television series Jogajog Bangladesh featuring news stories about digital connectivity in Bangladesh will be broadcast from March 10 to 19 on prime-time in Channel i. Available also on FM radio and online it will highlight how Bangladesh will leap-frog into the digital age by 2021.
Community broadcasters demand more rights: The Bangalore declaration issued at the conclusion of the regional assembly of community radio broadcasters held in India has called for more space on the airwaves for diverse and marginalised voices. An Asia Pacific Regional Board was also elected, besides the ratification of the strategic working plan for 2010-2013.
Restored library brings hope to Lankan minority: As an act of cultural vandalism the Jaffna’s public library was torched in 1981 by an anti-Tamil mob that once catered to a steady stream of students from prized schools and colleges. Restoring the library has once again signaled hope and opportunity for the Tamil minority.
Royal charter to boost media industry: Bhutan’s Royal King celebrating his 30th birth anniversary issued a charter that established the first media foundation in the country. Besides promoting the sustainability and growth of newspapers and broadcast stations it will boost use of national language in media.
Track your tree online: A group of researchers in India are coming up with a new online database that will track the life-cycle of common plants in the country. The website will allow tree enthusiasts to add to India’s biodiversity information by pitching in with their neighbourhood’s natural data.
News recordings soon in tribal dialects: A unique new mobile technology developed by Microsoft India in collaboration with Massachusetts Institute of Technology will allow citizen journalists to leave voice recordings that could be accessed by tribals of central India. The initiative will help local concerns reach the mainstream.
Bangladesh connected: Bangladesh has launched web portals for each of its 64 districts that will be maintained by local authorities and provide information on education, health, agriculture, tourism & heritage. The websites are easily accessible with each carrying its district name.
India to use ICTs to save forest: The Ministry of Environment and Forests is planning extensive use of ICT for setting up national forestry knowledge forum, national forestry information network, fire monitoring and detection and forest genetics resource network. Five initiatives have been introduced recently to give a new thrust to forest and environment.
Better connectivity offers promise for rural Bangladesh: From telemedicine to basic internet facility in rural areas, broadband connectivity and ICT technology have brought changes in the lives of ordinary citizens. Once obstacles to broadband adoption and fixed line infrastructure are removed, this new technology has the potential to revolutionise the daily lives.
India's public-sector broadcasting to be fully digitised: The ministry for information and broadcasting has announced the plan to digitise broadcasting services of Doordarshan and All India Radio. The government is also finalising FM Radio Phase III policy, so that community radio services reach people in North East, J&K, and island territories.
Bringing the information age to remote refugees: A new computer training centre set up by UNHCR in one of the largest refugee settlements in Bangladesh, brings along promises for the migrants’ children that they too can dream of a life much better, and beyond the boundaries of their camp.
India to use Chinese technology for weather prediction: A doppler radar is being set up on the outskirts of India’s national capital that will provide short range accurate weather forecast in a nearly 500 kms radius. The data collected is expected to reach people by the third week of February.
Picture stories: Using photography as a tool, young people in Bangladesh are narrating the beauty and tragedy of their lives. A collection of their photos, exhibited and published in a book, aims to raise awareness on wider social issues, while helping them gain confidence.
Sri Lanka gets eRevenue Licence facility: A new online service initiated by the Lanka Gate Project in partnership with ICTA allows people to renew or get a new vehicle revenue license issued, sitting right at home. This service marks a revolutionary change in delivering government services.
Bhutan launches mobile infosystem for farmers: The launch of the advanced mobile-based information system last week will boost the local farmers income, by helping them find the right place to sell their farm produce in Bhutan. Providing access to information in four languages, it reads out to the caller a range of prices.
Camerawomen of rural India: Feisty, unlettered women in a southern Indian state record their own lives and cultures and that of communities. They also train women like themselves in other countries on how to use the camera as a social welfare tool.
ATMs to become blind-friendly in India: India’s largest lender State Bank of India plans to introduce 7,000 voice-enabled ATMs across the country for visually challenged customers beginning next month. These will be customised with headphones and braille keypads and will be placed strategically, making it more accessible to persons with disabilities.
Radio stations to showcase multiple needs: Under its Behaviour Change Communication programme, UNICEF is offering technical and programmatic support in setting up community radio stations in districts of central and north India. The proposed stations will provide locals an opportunity to highlight their traditional and environmental heritage.
Internet providing helping hand to social initiatives: With more and more people getting involved with social welfare programmes, Internet has come to play significant role in increasing connectivity, cutting costs and building a strong link between rural and urban India. Some of the initiatives show how online networking has contributed towards these larger social movements.
Pakistan to launch weather channel: To mitigate the effects of climate change, Pakistan will soon launch a television weather channel that will keep people, particularly farmers, informed about the rainfall and weather patterns in the country. The first-of-its-kind initiative in South Asia, it will also telecast documentaries and other programmes.
India's national capital gets first e-courtroom: The High Court in the Indian capital has gone eco-friendly by replacing paper files with a touchscreen handbook and an LCD screen. The initiative, first-of-its-kind, has successfully digitised around 5.5 crore papers , and is also considering e-recording of witness statements to avoid procedural delays.
When 'Chanderi Ki Awaaz' took flight: Last week a small weaver community in central India celebrated the first test transmission of Chanderi Ki Awaaz, a community radio station initiated by the Bunkar Vikas Sanstha and supported by UNESCO, BASIX and OneWorld South Asia. The station is slated to be launched on February 14, 2010.
Mobile bulletin for Indian villages: Gaon Ki Awaaz, an audio bulletin broadcast through mobile phones in the hinterlands of central India, has enlivened the sleepy villages. Appearing twice a day in local language, it provides essential information to farmers and keeps villagers updated on local happenings.
Generating literacy via cell phones in Pakistan: A pilot project initiated by UNESCO in Pakistan’s Punjab province is promoting literacy among marginalised women through mobile phones. Under the programme, learners receive basic lessons and reading materials in local languages and communicate with the educators using text messages.
Radio broadcasters reaffirm commitments to protect earth: The World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters, AMARC, has issued a statement to COP 15, reaffirming its commitment to adopt best practice for promoting environmentally sustainable development. It also calls on nations to rethink over the current development model and extend support to the local community media.
Mobile radio reaches out to Nepali communities: Antenna Foundation, in partnership with local FM stations, is helping rural people in Nepal’s hilly terrain access to information and opportunity to participate in the political process. Under the Doko Radio initiative community people are provided radio receivers as well as training for carrying out on-location recording.
Indian women benefiting from mobile revolution: According to a new study by Stanford University, mobile phones are contributing towards women's autonomy and providing them access to social services. Non-profit organisations in India – Jagori and A Little World – point out that mobile technology is boosting women’s economic independence and helping them fight domestic violence.
Indian prisoners to become technocrats: A prison in south India is soon to become an ICT training hub with a full-fledged library and computer lab. The first of its kind, the Jeevika project will empower inmates by providing them training in multimedia tools, web designing and software and assigned data entry works for self-sufficiency.
Community radio promotes women's progress: A community radio station in a western Indian state launched recently in a village near Ahmedabad is providing access to practical information to women on relevant day-to-day issues. The initiative is generating endless opportunities for women.
South Asia gets new information superhighway: To foster better regional and economic cooperation within South Asia, an information highway initiated by ADB will directly connect Bhutan, Bangladesh, India and Nepal by 2011. Facilitated by high speed optical fibre cables, it will create more business opportunities between the countries.
Teens go on air against child marriage in Indian capital: Teenagers from a resettlement colony in India’s national capital have scripted a radio programme to protest child marriages in their neighbourhood. These children are trained by Jagori and OneWorld South Asia to prepare audio and digital video films on social issues from their own communities.
Technology revolutionising society: Communities are benefiting from several e-learning packages, resource centres and mobile and internet access facilities. A series of programmes and doorstep services are contributing towards education and overall rural development in Sri Lanka and India.
Mobile games promoting literacy in rural India: Mobile and Immersive Learning for Literacy in Emerging Economies (MILLEE) project led by a UC Berkley team uses mobile phone-based games for teaching English lessons to children. In partnerships with key mobile companies, the team has developed games for improving literacy in rural India.
Community radio educates and entertains rural India: A UNICEF supported community radio station in central India is educating and empowering the disadvantaged groups and marginalised women. With training in basic editing, these tribal women are producing programmes on health, literacy, and gender issues.
Hi-tech solutions for India's job guarantee scheme: The impoverished state of Bihar in India will soon introduce e-muster rolls, biometric smart cards and an online system for effective and transparent implementation of National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. A non-profit technology entity called Life Line to Communities is providing technical assistance.
E-dairy boosting Lankan economy: Sri Lanka’s dairy farmers are making use of web and mobile technologies to achieve self sufficiency in milk production. User-friendly touch screen computer and SMS services have been introduced to lure young entrepreneurs to the business.
Website to serve South Asian diaspora: The Institute of South Asian Studies has launched a new web link to reach out to the far-flung diaspora. Starting off with a newsletter and a database of South Asian communities across the world, the website will help address issues related to the region and its people.
Rural children in Nepal embrace digital world: Wireless computer labs set up in government-run secondary schools in rural Nepal are helping children get equipped with digital technology. These labs with high speed broadband connectivity enable access to learning materials, as also provide training on basic computer skills.
Transliteration service on your mobile: A new technology will allow Indian mobile users to communicate and express themselves in their local languages. The service being made available by Tachyon in partnership with Quillpad, will enable easy translation of local words by phonetically ‘typing’ them in English.
India faces e-waste challenge: Green activists are raising alarm over disposal of electronic waste in India. Lack of regulatory mechanisms on curbing illegal imports and recycling norms are exposing people to health and environmental hazards.
The BPOs are calling Bharat: The expansion of outsourcing firms into villages and towns in southern India is bringing a perceptible change in the lives of people. By providing training in IT and employment opportunities, these units are helping the rural youth gain financial independence without migrating to cities.
Managing microfinance on mobiles: mChek India has partnered with microfinance institutions to help slum women repay their loans in time. As part of a pilot project in a southern Indian city, it is providing affordable SIM cards and mobile phones to women borrowers and leaders of Self Help Groups.
India's rural job portals covering new grounds: A wide range of rural job portals, offering employment opportunities to villagers, are increasingly becoming popular in India. As part of public-private partnership, these are also providing skill building services to young men and women.
Computer centre for visually challenged: NGO Amway Opportunity Foundation, in partnership with Devnar Foundation for the Blind, has set up computer centres for visually challenged children in Hyderabad, a city in southern India. The centre has been equipped with a special software and other innovative tools to facilitate IT education among these students.
Community radio focuses on food security: The World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters, AMARC, will broadcast radio programmes on the theme: ‘Achieving Food Security in Times of Crisis’ to mark the World Food Day today. The programmes will highlight how rural development and natural resource management can help in combating hunger.
Digital knowledge festival raises hope for Bangladesh: Gyan Utsob, which took place earlier this month, focussed on digitalising local administration, school education and community e-centres in Bangladesh. The festival aimed to pave the way for an integrated knowledge society.
Online system to crosscheck driving licence in Nepal: The new digital record system launched by the Department of Transport Management in Nepal allows license holders to check the validity of their driving ID online. It facilitates easy tracking of fake licences and faster delivery of services.
ICTs enriching coastal regions in India: An information hub set up by an NGO in south India is aiding fishing communities with alert messages on maritime changes, availability and trade of fish. Integrating community radio to the public announcement system has enabled the rural villagers to address health and socio-economic related concerns.
India's UID project to track identity via cellphone: Unique Identity Authority of India chairman Nandan Nilekani announced last week that an online authentication through mobile phones would soon be initiated in India. The system will enable retrieval of information within seconds by navigating a person’s fingerprints taken on a cellphone to the central database.
India's new satellite to monitor oceans: Oceansat-2, the country's second ocean studies satellite was launched this week to keep watch over the seas and study changes in the earth's atmosphere. With two colour censors and a scatterometer, the satellite will also help identify key fishing zones.
Children's talk show goes on air in India: Choti Choti Batein, a new community radio programme produced by children in eastern India provides them a platform to discuss social issues. The half an hour programme broadcast on Wednesdays aims at creating awareness and finding solutions to local problems.
India launches ICT lab for disabled children: Commemorating International Software Freedom Day on September 19, an Indian NGO launched the first ICT lab for disabled children. The activity lab equipped with educational softwares will develop simple games for autistic children to help them learn and communicate.
Bhutan gets its first IT park: The Bhutanese government has announced a plan to build the country’s first Techpark to facilitate technological innovation and attract foreign investments. The park is expected to be operational in June 2011 and will provide 700 jobs.
e-district to be launched in India: A new e-governance programme that aims to automate citizen services at the district level will be launched early next year in India. Enabling better state governance by efficient delivery of services, the project is expected to provide lucrative opportunities to key IT players.
Audio-book reader for visually challenged in India: A new audio device for the visually impaired was launched at the national capital this week. The compact book-reader with its easy navigation, multi-lingual uploading and extra memory storage facility will aid millions of students.
New ICT index to reduce emissions: International Development Corporation's newly launched ICT Sustainability Index will guide nations in effectively meeting internal and international emission targets. The index score will help countries compare their current energy profile with their spending patterns to prioritise ICT investments in major sectors.
Schools Water Portal launched in India: A new website by India Water Portal aims to teach students and educators all about water and its sustainable use. This online space will also connect them with NGOs, research institutions and government for mutual learning and action.
Maldives to get early warning alerts via SMS: Facing increased threats triggered by climate change, Maldives will soon receive text based early warning alerts for disasters. Cell broadcasting, a technology will enable delivery of information to multiple users simultaneously in a specified area.
Indian capital to tackle e-waste: The second largest producing state of e-waste in the country is slated to go green. A new recycling plant in Roorkee will soon set up collection centres for recycling old computers, cell phones and televisions.
HCL offers single window solution to Indian schools: HCL's new learning solution DigiSchool will help school management with content management, lesson planning, a digital multimedia library and bus-tracking system for student safety. The new software was launched at the ongoing eINDIA conference at Hyderabad.
Sri Lankan mobile users to fund m-waste management: Cell-phone users in Sri Lanka will have to pay an environmental conservation levy to finance a mobile-waste management system. Coping with the growing problem of e-waste in the country, the government has signed a deal with a telecom company for safe disposal of discarded mobile phones.
Building change-makers through community radio: Radio Bundelkhand is engaging the local population in the central Indian hinterland to help it communicate, educate and bring its issues to the fore, and evolve an informed community.
India plans tech push for better rural fund disbursal: With a view to root out corruption and ensure timely and legitimate disbursal of funds under various schemes, the Indian government is planning to make more use of ICTs. The new system will manage different projects, monitor funds and even do a social audit.
Disabled students may get screen readers in India: Schools in India are going to use more information and communications technology (ICT) to help teach disabled children. Screen readers and Braille printers are among the technologies to be given to schools around the country.
Online tool to aid in global research: Fusion tables, Google's new tool will allow data to be visualised as charts, graphs and maps to identify patterns and trends. Unlocking data to make it more available and alive will open possibilities of collaboration in climate research and education.
Fibre-optic network makes surfing easier in Afghanistan: Once a costly affair, web access could soon have a wider outreach in Afghanistan due to the country’s new fibre-optics network. Amidst security challenges, officials say that the first overland internet link will slash prices for such services and bring more opportunities for Afghans.
Sound waves that break barriers: Anna Community Radio based in Chennai, a city in southern India, has been making a valuable contribution to society by ensuring the dissemination of knowledge to weaker sections and reflecting their aspirations. Many women who have received training as radio jockeys, producers or scriptwriters, today have a sense of achievement.
Afghan telemedicine project expedites patient diagnosis: A tele-radiology machine in a Bamyan hospital is attracting patients as remote diagnosis with experts in Kabul save money and travel. The project is also helping health workers receive training and guidance over tele-sessions.
Chandigarh launching citizen-friendly portal: A new web portal is soon going to be launched in the city of Chandigarh in north India that will host all e-forms for applying to various government services. Facilitating easy download and submission through the common service centres, the initiative will boost good governance.
Now adopt a child online: The Central Adoption Resources Authority in India will soon launch an online facility to make child adoption faster and easier. The project will link its various centres across the country, and provide all details of children to adopt including their photographs.
Vaccination alerts for pregnant women in India: A new SMS alert service in a southern India city will provide expecting mothers with information on vaccination schedule. More than 170,000 pregnant women are likely to benefit under the scheme, which will also help in promoting good health among infants.
Celebrating 200 episodes of people's voices: Several organisations came together in India’s national capital last week to celebrate the broadcast of 200th episode of Ek Duniya Ek Awaaz, a radio programme initiated by OneWorld South Asia. The programme aims to ‘voice the voiceless’ and educate communities on issues of social relevance.
Sri Lanka launches multi-lingual call centre: A new government-run hotline has been launched in Sri Lanka to provide citizens easy and quick access to all relevant information about various kinds of services. The service will be available 365 days a year in three different languages.
People get a virtual seat at the G8 summit: UNICEF has launched a website to mobilise support for social protection measures ahead of the G8 summit in L’Aquila, Italy this week. Through this interactive online petition, people can communicate their personal commitment towards child rights to the world leaders.
New portal on RTI launched in India: Citizen groups of a north Indian city have launched an interactive online portal on the Right to Information Act that allows visitors to share and disseminate information of public interest. The website includes a special section for youth to address their concerns.
TV serial enriches farmers' lives in Bangladesh: Jiboner Jolchobi, a new television series aired on mainstream channel in Bangladesh, is equipping farmers with useful information and technologies to boost agricultural production. The programme focuses on food processing, savings and credit systems, grassroots services and disaster risk reduction.
Cell phone alerts in disaster-prone Bangladesh: Thousands of people residing in Bangladesh’s Cox bazaar and Shirajganj districts will soon receive early warning alerts of an impending natural disaster. A new user-friendly initiative will prevent loss of life and damage to property due to flooding, tropical storms and cyclones.
UNEP launches online tool to conserve marine ecosystem: UNEP has launched a new online system to view and study the world’s marine protected areas. By providing accurate information on marine species and habitats, the tool will help governments and communities to conserve the diversity of life in coastal environments.
Cancer treatment on-air in India: Need to connect regional cancer centres to remote areas has led a prominent health institution in India to provide expert cancer care on-air. With user-friendly equipment and instantaneous service, the telemedicine network is delivering faster and quality treatment to patients.
Online healthcare becoming popular in India: Tired of queuing up and inaccurate advises, people are logging onto medical health services for consultations, appointment scheduling, recommendations on healthcare providers and treatments. From childcare to fitness, the online healthcare model is offering patients reliable and multiple solutions at the first click.
Smart PowerMeter for efficient energy choices: Google is going to launch an online PowerMeter in India that will help people track their energy consumptions, sitting right at home. The use of the service will encourage people in making smart energy choices.
Cellphones to hone teaching skills: Teachers in India will soon be able to access information relevant to their subjects through mobile phones. A government-funded institute is developing a database that will store comprehensive course contents in various formats to enhance teachers’ knowledge.
Tripura takes the ICT route to quality eyecare: The Tripura Vision Centre project in northeast India is pushing information communication technology to its extreme to provide the best eye care facility to its citizens. Seeing its success, the government is planning to equip these centres with facilities to provide treatment for other diseases.
FAO launches portal on animal welfare: FAO has launched a new web portal to facilitate a single access point for international and national information related to farm animal welfare. Policymakers, farmers, scientists and animal welfare experts can now access research findings, relevant legislation and policies on livestock through this online gateway.
Bangladesh to digitise land records: Bangladesh has planned to digitise the country’s complex land-ownership records. Under the proposed system, all documents will be uploaded to a database and villagers will be able to access the online services through computerised information centres.
WFP reaches out to youth via web: A new ‘teachers and students’ section will soon appear on the website of the World Food Programme. Aiming for more participation from youth in the fight against hunger, it plans to contain attractive online features like gaming, videos, news and maps.
Radio encourages Afghan women to run for office: Salam Watandar, a radio programme in Afghanistan, has successfully persuaded a large number of women candidates to contest provincial council elections. Due to growing insurgency, women were fearful of participating in the electoral process.
World's first tuition-free, online university: A newly formed University of the People presents a gateway to aspiring students from around the world to continue higher education from their homes at a minimal cost.
WSIS calls for a safe digital world for children: The WSIS Forum that began early this week at the ITU headquarters at Geneva focused on cybersafety for children on the first day.
Mobile phone-based money transfer soon in Bangladesh: Bangladesh is all set to introduce mobile phone technology for money transfer. Once operational, it would not only make transfers faster and cost-effective but also help bring down the flow of remittances through unofficial channels into the country.
Grid computing guiding multi-drug discovery: Grid computing infrastructures for virtual screening are helping to fight neglected diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria, flu, polio and others. Scientists are using these high-speed, cost-effective grids to discover promising drug-like molecules to combat deadly diseases like malaria.
Young minds changing the world with ICTs: At the UN Global Forum on Information and Communication to be held in June, World Summit Youth Award winners will present their innovative creations. By using various digital and mobile content, these youths have paved a way for communities to deal with everyday crisis.
Using ICTs for accelerated service delivery: Uses of electronic identification facilities are seen as a tool to improve governance and service delivery for sectors like health and banking. The World Bank headquarters organised a global video conference that drew participants from 11 countries including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan.
UN launches virtual community on gender and migration: UN-INSTRAW’s virtual community provides a space for discussion on women's participation in migratory flows and their contribution to development. The initiative seeks to collect experiences worldwide and strengthen existing networks among experts to enrich research and policy advocacy in the field.
Websites engage voters for Indian polls: A vigorous online activity is going on in India, urging people to vote consciously. Especially targeted at the youth and using interactive tools like blogs, games, e-discussions, these e-platforms are aiming to create an informed citizenry.
A positive read: Living with virus of a dread disease may not be easy but Positive + doesn’t let the gloom descend on its readers. A single woman’s initiative in southern India, this free bilingual fortnightly is the country’s first newspaper on HIV/AIDS and has struck a unique chord with the people.
Rural women in India join the tech fraternity: An all-women BPO working in the hinterlands of Rajasthan has brought rural women closer to technology. Training in data entry and transcription work has given them an edge over others as they aim to carve a niche in the tech world.
'Chanderi ki Awaaz' soon to go on air: Young members of weavers’ community in central India have moved a step closer towards setting up their own community radio station. Recently the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued a ‘Letter of Intent’ to them and now they are likely to go on air by early next year.
Tree tracking in India goes hi-tech: Armed with GPS-based technology, a team of botanists in India is out in the field to check the illegal felling of trees in major cities. Details such as height, canopy and condition of each tree will be recorded in digital format, making compilation of data much easier.
Anganwadi teachers to get English lessons on DVDs: Aanganwadi or pre-school teachers in western India will be trained in English language skills using DVDs. This local project by an NGO has developed high-tech lessons with visuals and a voice-over to make classroom learning interesting and interactive.
Pakistan's new media offers more space for dialogue: Khyber Radio, a local government supported station, has transformed the way information in Pakistan is disseminated. It has provided common people a platform to voice their concerns and counter the hate propaganda of fundamentalist forces.
Bangladeshi poor to get health tips on mobiles: Grameen Bank's new health care network in Bangladesh will help rural patients reach out to doctors located far away for quick solutions over mobile phones. Involving women as trained nurses is part of the bigger plan to make the network sustainable.
A platform for unheard voices from Kashmir: MTV Iggy, in collaboration with Video Volunteers, brings fearless stories from Kashmir where local youth narrate their experiences from the hotbed of conflict. These videos capture voices of sufferings to engage the global community for a constructive change in the region.
UNESCO to launch digital library: UNESCO and 32 partner institutions will soon launch a free world digital library. The site will include manuscripts, maps, rare books, films, sound recordings, and prints and photographs.
Kashmir hospital to launch telemedicine: A hospital in Kashmir has become the nodal agency for telemedicine in north India. The state-of-the art facility will provide emergency consultation, OPD services and online programmes for doctors serving in distant locations.
Green mobile network for rural Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka’s telecom sector is experimenting with green technologies to provide inexpensive mobile coverage to rural areas. For this, several base stations have been equipped with electricity generated out of wind and solar powers.
Urban radio impacts lives in Afghanistan: A new radio drama focusing on positive coping strategies in Afghan cities has struck a chord with urban listeners. Targeting urban migrants and their socio-economic issues, this radio show is helping them deal with the realities of modern life.
Online chat to highlight maternal health issues: The UN Millennium Campaign and Women’s eNews will raise awareness of the number one killer of young women in developing countries, despite promises by world leaders to take urgent action to end this crisis. Join experts from Africa and Asia on March 25, 2009 to be part of the discussion.
Preserving dying languages for posterity: Two US-based linguists toured from Siberia to India and from Bolivia to Arizona to do the audio recording of dying dialects, using ‘language technology kits’. Nearly 40% of the world’s 7,000 languages are on the verge of extinction.
Online drive against female foeticide: Fight-Back, an online gender justice campaign, has launched a new initiative to combat female foeticide. Declaring March 8 as International Missing Women's Day, the youth forum has mobilised more than hundred Indian medicos on this web-based platform to spread awareness on this shocking practice.
CRY launches web-based games to promote child rights: To sensitise people on child rights, CRY has posted a series of online games. At various stages of playing Sudoku, Hangman and Crossword, a variety of messages will be flashed to raise awareness about issues concerning children.
Add your voice online to the People's Manifesto: As India goes to polls on April 16, hectic political activity has begun to woo the electorates. Wada Na Todo Abhiyan’s All India People's Manifesto campaign has provided a unique platform for people to make their own agenda for governance. This country-wide initiative now goes online urging people to voice their demands.
TV series educates on women's rights: A tele-serial made by UNICEF is promoting rights-based empowerment of women in India. Reaching more than 50 million viewers on national television, the entertainment-education drama series highlights issues of social and gender discrimination through characters that overcome real life odds.
Online platform for climate adaptation: Donor agencies, NGOs and research institutes from over 50 countries have joined hands to share climate solutions. This global initiative by International Institute for Environment Development will support an online platform to facilitate information exchange on adaptation strategies.
Online atlas for endangered languages: UNESCO has unveiled the digital version of Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger. The interactive electronic tool has updated information on over 2,500 languages spoken worldwide, and enables users to search according to country, degree of threat, name of languages or by number of speakers.
Using WiFi, Nepal village goes online: Once without a telephone line and in the grip of insurgency, a remote village in western Nepal stands transformed. A local visionary's efforts with a home-WiFi kit and solar-powered relay station have e-connected Nangi with the rest of the region to provide people better education, healthcare and income.
Rural BPO changes life for youth in southern India: Youngsters in the city of Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh are beaming with confidence. Working in a BPO has opened new vistas of opportunities for those hailing from neighbouring villages, and given young women financial independence.
Radio to answer RTI queries: Delhi based NGO Kabir has launched an hour-long weekly programme on the Right to Information Act. Aired every Sunday, the show answers calls from listeners across India on queries pertaining to the use of this tool to access information from the government.
Internet Bus rolls out in southern India: With an aim to bridge digital divide in smaller towns, Google India has launched an Internet Bus. The mobile campaign will focus on four themes of information, communication, entertainment and education, the content of which will be in English and Tamil languages.
India launches e-Knowledge portal: India has launched Sakshat, a one-stop education portal widening the access of learners to e-content on various disciplines and subjects. The online tool will help in spreading digital literacy and building knowledge connectivity among institutions of higher learning in the country.
Portal to track progress on MDGs in Brazil: A new portal has been launched in Brazil that will help citizens monitor the MDGs status in over 5,000 municipalities of the country. Unveiled on the sidelines of the World Social Forum, the tool will enable people access relevant information about the anti-poverty goals and influence public policies.
Now health information on mobiles during crisis: Elecon, an engineering major in western India has unveiled a unique software that can store critical health information on mobile phone for use during crisis. Called 'In Case of Emergency' (ICE), the innovative solution helps in preparing for medical emergencies in the event of calamities.
Empowering rural poor in India through radio: A community radio station has begun regular broadcasting from yesterday to help empower rural communities in western India. The station will provide a new tool for capacity building, offer agricultural advice to farmers and allow community groups to speak out.
Wikipedia-style site launched for Indian farmers: Indian farmers will have free access to agricultural information. Agropedia, a new Wikipedia-style service, will act as an online resource bank for farmers and will be a key tool in the fight to modernise the agricultural sector.
Community radio makes a foray into eastern India: A new community radio station will soon be established in Koraput in eastern India to spread awareness on development, government schemes and host of advocacy programmes. Supported by UNICEF and a local NGO, the content for programmes will be locally generated by the predominant tribal population.
Drug adherence through mobile phones: Mobile phone technologies are now being increasingly used to enable health workers monitor tuberculosis patients. Directly observed treatment short course or DOTS recommended by WHO has proven to be expensive and human-resource intensive.
E-library for Nepal's children: Help Nepal Network is setting up E-libraries in every district in the country to increase digital literacy among children. By installing low-cost, high-impact computer facilities in schools and rural centers, the project will serve communities with scanned books and other educational resources.
Mobiles support rural microfinance in southern India: Ekgaon Technologies' innovative online application system enables members of rural SHGs in Tamil Nadu to access their financial information through mobiles. Maintaining accounts is now easier and transparent, and entails quicker access to loans from banks.
Using mobiles to protect native languages: To save endangered languages and encourage people to write in their native tongue, many linguists argue for enabling more written languages available on cell phones. Mobile companies and service operators are now developing predictive text to make SMS technology more user-friendly.
India to launch weather satellite: The Indian Space Research Organisation will launch a satellite to study the tropical atmosphere and its energy and hydrological cycles at the end of 2009. Jointly engineered by the French space agency CNES, the satellite data on weather modulates will be shared by the two countries.
Google, Microsoft to e-connect villages in western India: For its ambitious e-Gram project, the Gujarat government has roped in IT giants Google, Microsoft and Cisco to provide satellite-based broadband connectivity to the state's village panchayats. Google has already developed a website in local language Gujarati on agriculture, education and health.
Satellite rainfall estimation for South Asia: For improved forecast of floods and droughts to minimise their impacts, accurate estimates of rainfall are needed. Kathmandu based International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development recently organised a five-day workshop on using satellites for rainfall measurement in the Himalayan region.
Health smart cards for India's poor: The Indian government will bear the treatment costs of the poor under a new health insurance scheme. Using a smart card embedded with 11 types of software, patients can now afford the services of private or government hospitals through cashless and paperless transactions.
UNICEF sets up community radio station: Lalitpur, a backward district in northern India has got its own community radio station. Set up by UNICEF, the innovative communication medium will train villagers to report, research and prepare programmes on culture, women and health issues.
One laptop per child benefits Nepal: With their little green laptops, students in Nepal now find their English and Math lessons more interactive. Facilitated by Open Learning Nepal with support from a Danish group, the innovative exercise is less about gadgets and more about quality education in developing countries.
Bangladesh CR handbook to guide development governance: A handbook educating stakeholders about various aspects of community radio will soon be brought out in Bangla by Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNRCC). The publication would serve as a useful guide for applying the media tool to a range of development activities and governance.
Indian islands a role model in egovernance: Lakshadweep islands in India have set an example worth emulation in digitally connecting the geographically dispersed areas. Several egovernance projects in education, employment, transport and communication have made life relatively easier for the locals and ushered in accountability in public services.
Online community to StopXploitation: StopX.org, launched by UNICEF at the recent third World Congress on sexual exploitation of children and adolescents is a new tool to fight child exploitation, violence and abuse. The site offers national help lines, resources and a private community to enable collaborations on work.
IT initative to expand digital literacy in western India: In a move to fulfill the manpower needs of a thriving software industry in the state, a public limited company plans to set up 1,000 IT Gyan Kendras in western India. These e-learning centres will train youth in basic computer skills and improve their employment prospects.
Radio show on government accountability: Delhi based anti-poverty network Wada Na Todo Abhiyan has launched a radio series Haq Hamara Wada Tumhara, focusing on the policy promises of the Indian government. Co-produced by OneWorld South Asia, its rousing and energetic theme song reflects the true spirit of the campaign.
Cisco-SIDBI to promote ICT entrepreneurship: As part of its global commitment to promote microfinance and ICT-related businesses, the networking major Cisco has now joined hands with Small Industries Development Bank of India to take this initiative forward in India as well. Together these two will avail financing, mentorship and training facilities to qualified entrepreneurs.
Sri Lanka's new telecentres to take ICT to masses: The Sri Lankan government has set up 64 'Nenasalas' or ICT service delivery centres in three districts of the country's eastern province. Providing content in both Sinhalese and Tamil, these centres offer a range of services including high speed internet, telephone, computer training classes and course syllabi.
Web on voice for rural India: A Delhi based team of IBM has tested an alternative to the internet for India's rural population. Based on the cell phone, the new style technology is a network of different VoiceSites helping local communities who cannot read or afford a computer to access relevant information.
Emergency healthcare only an SMS away: Kerala's Kozhikode district in southern India has pioneered effective healthcare relief via SMS. Under a government project named 'Dr. SMS', citizens can get information on their mobiles about the nearest hospitals, blood banks or speciality centres.
In the world of many voices: OneWorld South Asia's new audio content bank helps grassroots communities to share and access community media content from across the region. With its current rich resource bank from India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, the portal best exemplifies how technology can enhance and communicate diverse voices.
Online scientific expertise for human rights practitioners: American Association for the Advancement of Science has launched a new website providing scientific expertise to human rights organisations worldwide. The online database will offer services in areas like hydrology, public health and climatology.
India's health information now on a portal: India's health ministry has launched a portal that has all the information on health management in the country. The new system will enhance the information flow at various levels and provide useful and timely inputs for programme development.
Manthan Awards recognise technology for the greater good: In its annual event Digital Empowerment Foundation facilitated innovation in the field of ICT. The Manthan Awards 2008, celebrated recently in the Indian capital, recognised contributions of 33 initiatives across diverse categories.
Safe sex message now on your mobile phone: BBC World Service Trust’s ongoing AIDS campaign in India has now turned to mobile phone ring tones to take forward the message of safe sex practices. Known as 'The-one-who-understands-is-a-winner' campaign, it aims to tackle inhibitions associated with condoms.
Sri Lanka’s ePensions project takes off: Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka has rolled out the government’s ePensions project. To ensure timely disbursement of payments, a central database will now expedite the application processing, computation of pension grants and file tracking.
Radio volunteers do weavers proud: Trained by OneWorld South Asia, a group of weavers in the small town of Chanderi in central India are looking forward to set up their own community radio station. The graduation ceremony of twenty-five volunteers was recently celebrated by the Bunkar Vikas Sanstha at its multi-media centre.
New database on AIDS technical support: UNAIDS along with its partners has developed a new tool providing latest information on technical support for global AIDS programmes. Called Coordinating AIDS Technical Support database (CoATS), this web portal facilitates exchange of critical information and best practices around the world.
Banking at the doorsteps of poor: Micro deposit machines will soon make banking easy for the poor in India. To be launched by FINO, a technology solutions firm and leading financial institutions in the country and abroad, the machines will enable people to make deposits at any time through smart cards.
ZMQ bags UNDP award: At UNDP's World Business and Development Awards 2008 at New York, Indian company ZMQ Software Systems won the award for its innovative ICT solutions to combat HIV/AIDS, illiteracy, poverty and global warming. The biennial awards recognise the crucial role of the private sector in implementing the Millennium Development Goals.
CRY launches website on girl child: Marking the International Girl Child Day, CRY has launched an interactive micro-site to involve people in the campaign against gender discrimination. The online platform explores reasons that give rise to the practice of female foeticide, and provides information on skewed sex ratio and various campaigns.
Battling for the blind: IT companies in western India have taken several unique initiatives to help the visually challenged secure jobs. These include the launch of a new technology that reads out content on internet and a voluntary organisation run by IBM employees to impart technical and communication skills to the blind.
Tune in for good health: Radio Health, a community-driven health show is now on air on All India Radio FM. The programme hopes to improve doctor-patient communication through an interactive platform in a pilot start in the southern state of Karnataka.
IBM to help trace missing in Bihar floods: IT giant IBM is creating a database to trace those missing in flood-hit Bihar in eastern India. Successfully used during the 2004 tsunami, the software will help the government compile necessary details on the number of people in relief camps as well as resources available for rehabilitation work.
TV series on saving the planet: TVE Asia Pacific, a Sri Lankan non-profit media foundation is working on television serial called Saving the Planet. Currently the films are being shot in six countries across South and Southeast Asia. The six-film series will showcase how grassroots communities, citizen groups and local media are contributing towards sustainable development.
OWSA's LifeLines project named 2008 Tech Awards Laureate: The Tech Museum of Innovation has announced the 2008 Tech Awards Laureates – 25 global innovators that use technology to benefit humanity. The annual premier humanitarian award program selected LifeLines, a telephone based information delivery service for Indian rural farmers, from among hundreds of nominations across 68 countries.
A solar-powered tool for emergencies: UNICEF has developed a solar-enabled communication system to provide connectivity and information to people in remote or emergency situations. Called 'The Bee', the open-source tool can also be used as a radio station, a way to deliver curriculum, ensure business continuity or deliver entertainment.
OWSA launches Lifelines Education in Rajasthan: OneWorld South Asia has launched a phone-based knowledge delivery service to provide critical academic support for teachers and students in Rajasthan, a western Indian state. The service has been started in Udaipur as a pilot project, which will be extended to other districts of the state at a later stage.
Rural India gets mobile health units: IT giant Satyam has provided a fleet of mobile healthcare vans in interiors of Andhra Pradesh in southern India. These modern, state-of-the-art vehicles are equipped with paramedics, pharmacists and lab technicians and even feature a television that can show public health education programs.
UN to bridge digital divide in Afghanistan: Last week, Afghan government and the United Nations signed an agreement for cooperation in the field of Information and Communication Technology. Under the accord, the UN’s concerned body will help in strengthening the country’s capacities and leverage opportunities presented by ICTs to achieve national development goals.
OWSA’s new initiatives on local content exchange: OneWorld South Asia has launched EK duniya anEK awaaz, a portal that facilitates local audio content exchange and the latest version of Open eNRICH, a content sharing tool jointly developed with UNESCO and National Informatics Centre. Both these initiatives are expected to enhance the communication opportunities at the grassroots.
Online games to spread awareness on global poverty: UK government’s Department for International Development has launched a series of online games to help children join the race against global poverty. The idea is to involve young people and raise their awareness on development issues.
Radio now part of life for cyclone survivors: Radio has become an important and sometimes the only source of news and information in cyclone hit areas of Myanmar. Many tune in this small, convenient and inexpensive piece of electronic gadget to keep themselves abreast of weather warnings as well as relief and recovery efforts.
Web based asthma monitor: A team of researchers from Bangalore in southern India has developed an inexpensive web based device, enabling physicians to remotely monitor lung functions in asthma patients. The low-cost instrument helps a distant doctor promptly initiate medical attention during an emergency.
Digitised mapping of urban India: All information related to infrastructure from health and educational institutions to disaster management and terror history of a city will soon be available on cyber space. Municipalities across India will collate information and digitise it to generate a GIS map that will help in preparing a comprehensive city development plan.
Radio lifeline for cyclone victims: Launched a month after Cyclone Nargis, an emergency radio service broadcast by BBC World Service Trust in partnership with BBC Burmese is proving to be a life saver for the affected people in Myanmar. The programmes provide vital information on access to aid, health and sanitation.
Postcards of change: Chala Ho Gaon Mein, an NGO run community radio initiative in eastern India receives scores of postcards from those benefited by its messages on health, gender, governance, and tribal rights. A follow up study has tracked impact in fall in dowry deaths and increase in girls’ education.
Wipro, WWF partner for green development: Leading Indian IT firm Wipro and WWF-India have signed an agreement to work together for environmental sustainability. This will include exploring ICT solutions for a low carbon economy and promoting ecologically sustainable practices in the IT industry.
Portal on environment launched: Chairman of the National Knowledge Commission Sam Pitroda launched a national portal on environment today in the Indian capital. The portal, designed and built by Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment, will serve as one-stop shop for all information and resources related to issues on environment.
Learning through virtual classrooms: Technocrats based in South India have developed a unique software that enables real-time audio and video streaming on low-end computers on a normal Internet connection. This will make possible to bring together teachers and students through virtual classrooms.
India ICT event focuses on innovations for change: Over 4,000 delegates gathered at a three-day international conference and exhibition eINDIA 2008 held in New Delhi from July 29-31 to share knowledge in different domains of ICT for development. In a major announcement Indian minister said the government was well on track to introduce a 10-dollar laptop.
Indian schools to use new age technologies: If recommendations of the ministry of human resource and development are accepted, Indian schools may soon have blogging and community radio as part of their curricula. The ministry has also suggested use of robotic kits, graphing calculators, global positioning system devices and digital microscopes.
Maldives introduces mobile banking: Maldives has brought all of the country's banks under a single system of m-banking. The World Bank supported project is primarily targeted at the rural islanders who have no banking, or for whom the nearest branch could be miles away.
Job seekers from Hindi belt get online: Employment News, one of India’s leading weekly has launched its website 'Rojgar Samachar' to cater to the needs of job seekers from Hindi speaking areas of the country. The interactive site will also have a provision of live chat with career counsellors.
Radio teacher in the classroom: Millions of students in India's northern state of Bihar eagerly wait for their English lessons to begin on radio. Launched in November last year with a view to boost primary education, the 'English is Fun' radio programme has become a huge hit among school going kids.
Satellite mapping aid Myanmar relief work: Relief workers were provided with vital information via satellites in the aftermath of Myanmar cyclone. The International Charter on Space and Major Disasters provided crisis mapping of the affected areas to assess the extent of damage and plan emergency response operations.
Digitising ancient treasure: Translating centuries-old Sanskrit manuscripts at the Punjab University in Lahore was proving tough due to dearth of Pakistani scholars proficient in the ancient language. A visit by a Korean professor paved the way for digitisation of the rare documents which are a treasure of information.
Portal to connect India’s poor: India’s first multilingual portal for the poor will provide information on agriculture, health, primary education, rural energy and e-governance. The India Development Gateway portal, an initiative of the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing, was recently launched by the President.
E-Library for Indian lawyers: Lawyers in western India will soon be able to do their legal research at the click of a mouse. The Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa will launch an e-library scheme that will provide legal data software and internet facilities to over one lakh lawyers in the two states.
Evolving the mobile lady of Bangladesh: Bangladesh’s mobile lady is the last-mile solution to take livelihood information to the poor and marginalised. In its evolution to the Info Lady, she is making high-end information available in a cheaper and effective way.

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