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RCom Brings $100 Laptop to India

Bharti Adhikari, Oct 12, 2007 1413 hrs IST

Under this initiative, Reliance Communications (RCom) will provide Internet connectivity, network backbone, logistics, and support to the OLPC initiative.

The Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG) has collaborated with One Laptop per Child (OLPC) foundation to bring the latter's much-hyped $100 laptop to India to promote e-learning among poor children. Under this initiative, Reliance Communications (RCom) will provide Internet connectivity, network backbone, logistics, and support to the OLPC initiative. The initiative aims at covering over 25,000 towns, and 6,00,000 villages in the country by 2008. The larger OLPC project has already provided laptops to 5 million school children across the world, and aims to cover 150 million by 2008. Based on the Linux OS, the OLPC (XO) laptop has replaceable keyboards, which can be changed for use with 35 global languages. While announcing the collaboration, Tina Anil Ambani, said, "Children are the future of the nation, and shaping the future of millions of school children through new age learning systems is of prime importance in today's digital era." OLPC has launched its first pilot in the country at a school in a tribal village at Khairat, near Karjat in Maharashtra, where school children have been provided with laptops, and training for teachers to incorporate new ways of imparting education. Carla Gomez Monroy, learning consultant of OLPC, and a part of the pilot, said, "Children lack opportunity, and not capability. Children at Khairat school, who have never even seen a laptop before, are showing easiness and receptiveness while learning on laptops. It has also resulted in reduction in the number of children absentees." Sumit Chowdhury, chief information officer of RCom, said, "School children will be able to access their educational modules in local languages, collaborate with each other, connect to the Internet, and play games as well." The laptops are connected via network to the school server. All laptops are on the network, so school children can interact with each other, and share the learning experience. However, once out of the school network, these laptops are rendered absolutely useless. They would work only till such a time the battery lasts. "Keeping in mind that the laptops will be handled by school children, they have been built drop-proof, 45-degrees shock-proof, water proof, and have a longer battery life as compared to regular laptops," added Chowdhury. RCom and OLPC are in talks with government agencies, NGOs, content developers, translators, teachers, and project managers to create successful ecosystems to further the OLPC program in India.

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Discussion Board

Amolak Singh

,delhi, on Feb 05, 2009 10:38 AM

please send details and where and when it is available in delhi.quate price in indian Rs

Ashok koli

,Mumbai, on Dec 11, 2008 05:51 PM

how and were ican get laptop and what are the mode of payment

v.m.raja

,villupuram, on Nov 28, 2008 04:32 PM

where i can buy this laptopand what is the cost

sachin malik

,Muzaffar Nagar, on Nov 13, 2008 04:52 PM

please send details and where and when it is available in baroda.quate price in indian Rs

vijay

,coimbatore, on Jun 03, 2008 07:42 AM

what is the cost of this laptop i am interested in buying it please tell me the cost + shiping + tax

Malik

,mancherial, on May 11, 2008 12:46 AM

very nice idea of ambani group, I hearty thankx

iqbal

,baroda, on May 10, 2008 04:11 PM

please send details and where and when it is available in baroda.quate price in indian Rs.

pardeep kumar

,ludhiana, on Mar 15, 2008 03:32 PM

plz send me price of indian rupees thanks

pardeep kumar

,ludhiana, on Mar 15, 2008 03:29 PM

plz send price of indian rupees thanks / regars pardeep kumar

Pushpendra Sing

,Jaipur, on Feb 18, 2008 07:11 PM

It is an example of SHINING INDIA where aal are helping one other.

Ravikumar Choda

,Warangal, on Dec 23, 2007 09:56 PM

Building future India from childhood

Rishi

,Bellary, on Nov 26, 2007 01:28 PM

Wow... amazing initiate in building a better India! Great work Reliance...

Mukesh Aggarwal

,Delhi, on Oct 30, 2007 01:38 PM

good

Yeshwanth

,Gandhinagar, on Oct 25, 2007 10:20 AM

It is very useful to learn computing from children stage because this is IT world now and future is all IT .Even though, till plus2 many students dont know how to operate a computer now. Its really very good job by Rcom .Hope Students wont misuse this oppurtunity.

Naveen

,GandhiNAgar, on Oct 24, 2007 05:41 PM

Its really encouraging for the poor children. Reliance !!! Keep it up

Ashwin

,Margao Goa, on Oct 14, 2007 07:20 PM

Government Of Goa has been Providing free computers to every higher secondary student fo th past six years! Almost evry home in Goa Now has a PC.

jagdish

,bangalore, on Oct 18, 2007 08:27 AM

can i settle in goa:-)

Roshan Ashraf "

,Mumbai, on Oct 16, 2007 06:22 PM

Are we using the term rupee or dollar....reliance get your acts straight!!!

manikumar

,chennai, on Oct 16, 2007 10:36 AM

Great work!!! of late Rcom is really doing some great work, apart from increasing coverage for it's CDMA network,launched colour phones for Rs999/=,unlimited SMS for RS30/=[30 days],and their datacard is really good!!Continue the goodwork RELIANCE!!!!! Best wishes

Nagaraj M G

,Bellary, on Oct 15, 2007 05:54 PM

I think its very useful because my self sat infront of the computer in B.E .The reason behind this is that I am from village so it is very useful specially for the village students ...............

r.sridhar

,coimbatore, on Oct 15, 2007 02:36 PM

yes realy very very very good management in world we pray god he birth of india.but down load rate need low

Nagaraj

,Chennai, on Oct 15, 2007 02:02 PM

Great, When can we expect this laptop in market?

techtree

,kya karoge, on Oct 15, 2007 01:28 PM

for everybodies information it will cost 220$ in india

P.N.Rangan

,Mysore, on Oct 15, 2007 10:16 AM

Keeping in mind that the laptops will be handled by school children, they have been built drop-proof, 45-degrees shock-proof, water proof, and have a longer battery life as compared to regular laptops," added Chowdhury. With these features, how can the laptop be cheaper at $100?

Sushant Jain

,delhi, on Oct 15, 2007 01:05 PM

since its functional only when it is connected to the server and not otherwise and it has very less hardware configuration in it and not to forget when someone buys one then a free laptop is gifted to one of the underprivileged children that how this will work out to be cheap

Dinesh Hire

,Bhusawal, on Oct 15, 2007 12:24 PM

its very ammazing for every indian that they should be brought a laptop for Rs. 5000/- only.. I would like to collect more information in respect of this laptop...

Joy Roy

,jalpaiguri, on Oct 15, 2007 12:07 PM

very noble idea

Ridhi

,Mumbai, on Oct 15, 2007 09:43 AM

OK! Does anyone here realise how crucial it is that this is implemented properly? For example, I know of a village, to which computers were sent. But since the teachers in the school were not taught how to assemble it, computer classes were restricted to theoretical classes on what the keyboard, monitor, mouse and CPU did!!! Now the Ambani's are evil (like most monopolies). We've seen them getting into trouble over SEZ acquisitions in recent times... SO please let's not forget that they are NOT doing this for the general good of Indian Kind. They are motivated strongly by self gain... which is ok... IF you are not evil. So in this case... I would say... that instead of letting this announcement dwindle away from our memories... let's keep track of what they are up to... and follow-up and see what happens. Otherwise, no one will be accountable when none of this 'development' happens.. or if it goes badly wrong

Lalit

,Delhi, on Oct 15, 2007 11:47 AM

Ridi, If you have the knowledge of computer, why don't you go to that village and teach about computers for couple of days. They have the tool and you know the trade. be positive.

Kartick Bakshi

,Ranchi, on Oct 15, 2007 08:47 AM

Very much encouraging initiative to build modern India.

Rocky

,Mumbai, on Oct 14, 2007 04:55 PM

Reliance are nothing but robbers - have you used any of their other products like Broadband, netconnect, cellular. They have no fucing system in place - they overcharge and rob. What revolution would they bring the poor - if everything is controlled by them - they will make everyone poor and you and I will be the poor ones receiving from them. RELIANCE ADA GROUP = ROBBERS / THIEVES - a disgrace to the ambani name and to the reliance legacy

Vijay Gohil

,Kodianar, on Oct 14, 2007 04:07 PM

Long live reliance !! Earlier they bring revolution in callinng rates now in computers !! That will bring india in a brilliant stage in 2010

R K JAIN

,RAJSAMAND (RAJASTHAN), on Oct 14, 2007 03:05 PM

good one

Manikandan

,Mumbai, on Oct 14, 2007 09:14 AM

This is one of the best thing i have ever heard for the improvement of the society. Brilliant one. any way i have lots of trust on these Ambani's. They are the one who is going to take INDIA into the POLE position and will stay there.....

Tinku

,Dharamsala, on Oct 14, 2007 05:54 AM

A good venture.95 % of the children would however be interested in only playing games which may proove to be counter productive.

GUPUT NARAIN SI

,KAHALGAON, on Oct 13, 2007 10:33 PM

OLPC-Project will really prove to be beneficial and boon for the poor and the middle class children to cope with the fastly changing scenerio of science and technology.

bharat desai

,Mumbai, on Oct 13, 2007 09:28 PM

Congratulations to Anil Ambani. OLPC project will change the face of India if persued in right manner. Government need to help and facilitate the implementation of it. The digital devide will disappear and will empower the poorest kids to take control of their lives.

MAnoj Dhingra

,Bnagalore, on Oct 13, 2007 06:14 PM

Good step. RCom Have some responsibility towards our nation also. Keep it up..........

sivaram

,mumbai, on Oct 13, 2007 05:21 PM

It is a good effort and also cultivates the R com brand in younger miinds and be a part of their portable companion etc.Brings lot of brand value for life time. Besides to compensate they have to give free Hi speed broadband access to certain educational websites where the children can login by default. No charges whatsoever for the universities and schools for web based education to be given. Also images and websites of adult content are to be blocked by Rcom so that these lap tops become truly education based and knowledge centers. An antivirus software valid for life time and after sales support are also important areas to be considered.Children may get this damaged and the Lap top can get corrupted.

SavithaPartha

,Coimbatore, on Oct 13, 2007 04:04 PM

It's really a innovative idea of RCOM continue service in all the states in India.

Raj

,Mumbai, on Oct 13, 2007 03:52 PM

reliance motherfucas are trying to take over india you assholes. there will come a day when you their products will be an integral part of your lives............think and act you punks..

dhirubhai

,mumbai, on Oct 13, 2007 02:39 PM

gr8 keep it up Rcom

meaunfun

,Thailand, on Oct 13, 2007 01:45 PM

Its a wonderful idea no doubt but I just wonder what about the bandwidth which is needed to support this venture. As it is now the bandwidth avail are nothing but short of the standards one would expect, and what about the costs for the bandwidth. We feel they are too high. Someone ought to take a drastic step to improve on the bandwidth issue in India !

Ashwin

,Mumbai, on Oct 13, 2007 11:25 AM

Its a wonderful idea no doubt but I just wonder what about the bandwidth which is needed to support this venture. As it is now the bandwidth avail are nothing but short of the standards one would expect, and what about the costs for the bandwidth. We feel they are too high. Someone ought to take a drastic step to improve on the bandwidth issue in India !

Vilas Gharat.

,Thane, on Oct 13, 2007 10:14 AM

It is definately very prograssive step to educate our youth.We would like to have one for trial.

JTT ACHARYA

,BANGALORE, on Oct 13, 2007 09:57 AM

REALY IT IS GREAT

vijayshimla

,Shimla 171001, on Oct 13, 2007 09:41 AM

computers at home and in the classroom have become a necessity for today's school children. To not be armed with the Internet and the use of digital equipment would certainly put these children at a disadvantage. This will give them every opportunity to be competitive with every student they come across. This will help level the playing field no matter what their dreams are. Laptops will give students a wonderful opportunity, both from use of the Internet and the other functions impossible in the old paper and pencil world. Thanks to ADAG at least now Indian Children will be able to keep up with the world.

Anonymous

,Chandigarh, on Oct 12, 2007 11:33 PM

I hope the junk generated from the hardware is bio degradable so that it can be properly disposed off and not create any environmental issue.

Praveen

,Ames, on Oct 13, 2007 02:19 AM

I agree with you. Effective environmental safeguards should be in place. Otherwise its gonna hit back at us in a big way.

rubyfdk

,faridkot, on Oct 13, 2007 08:33 AM

easy to comment but difficult to adopt. What u do with ur shit ? flush it off or have proper management plans like using for plants etc etc....

srinivas

,hyderabad, on Oct 13, 2007 07:34 AM

First wipe the congress ( which is not at all have moral like before , indian national congress which gave independence , there is no relation between that one and this one). second CPM ( it's very dangerous stuff, these guys staright away support the chinese communists, no wonder these communist makes more slavery by allowing the chinese communists to co.operate with indian communists.) Eliminating these two parties gives lot of independence/freedom to the nation. i don't support either of the any party. But there should be some kind of revolutionized developments should be there with in 5 to 10 years especially in political parties otherwise no wonder we are always a small line with a big line chinese :(. Sarva roga nivarini, it will automatically cure every thing. change these politicians....

Sanjay

,Bangalore, on Oct 13, 2007 12:18 AM

The $100 laptop is nothing but yet another corporate scam to swindle the people of India. Now the MNCs and Indian Corporate have joined thier hands in an effort to enslave and squeeze the life of the below mind-income level, where the higher population resides. Everyday I see this I can't stand how the people of India are throwing away the hard earned freedom and principles of Gandhi. If we let ourselves be enslaved by these corporates, we will no longer be a true democracy. Open you eyes and see what's happening in the world today.

grunge

,bangalore, on Oct 13, 2007 07:21 AM

Please suggest what should be done to prevent ourselves from corporate slavery.Understand that millions work in these corporate india and have a decent living.We cant live on khadi and charkha's.gone are those days.move on..

satish k Tehlan

,Bahadurgarh, on Oct 12, 2007 03:27 PM

our future is in safe hand of ADAG. U R our proud. Best of luck in future in same way of sucsess.

safe

,hand, on Oct 13, 2007 06:42 AM

"safe hand"!!!!!! WTF???

Praveen

,Ames, on Oct 13, 2007 02:18 AM

Well has any body looked into the issue of recycling and waste disposal for all the laptops. Unless we can deal with proper waste management and education on the same, we should not allow this. While it is good for the children proper safeguards should also be a part of education and enforcement.

Praveen

,Ames, on Oct 13, 2007 02:17 AM

Well has any body looked into the issue of recycling and waste disposal for all the laptops. Unless we can deal with proper waste management and education on the same, we should allow this. While it is good for the children proper safeguards should also be a part of education and enforcement.

harsh bansal

,chandigarh, on Oct 12, 2007 10:01 PM

that will be great and this is step to move India in to developed countries and we know 70% lives in rural area and only 2% of population have computers so this will be great for our country

Pradeep

,chennai, on Oct 12, 2007 09:43 PM

we salute all the People workin for this.SETHIA INFOTECH

aananta

,Bandra Mumbai Bombay India, on Oct 12, 2007 09:33 PM

Anil Ambaini is a DIAMOND aananta.net

Makesh

,chandler, Az USA, on Oct 12, 2007 09:31 PM

I salute reliance for empowering the future of the nations. If kids are guided for best use of internet this can revolutionize education system in India.

Yogesh Maheshwa

,Bangalore, on Oct 12, 2007 07:24 PM

This effort will make revolution in India. Lets hope for gr8 support from Government & perfect implementation

Swapnil Pundkar

,Guwahati, on Oct 12, 2007 08:11 PM

Gr8 work

Rajesh

,Bangalore, on Oct 12, 2007 06:53 PM

Excellent . All modern indians salutes Reliance

H.S.Poonia

,Mumbai, on Oct 12, 2007 06:18 PM

great effort to bring India on par with developed country.

Ravi

,Chandigarh, on Oct 12, 2007 04:09 PM

Graet work! God bless the more grow of Reliance , who is gonna to provide helping hand to young india...

Yogesh M R

,Madurai, on Oct 12, 2007 02:57 PM

Its really appreciable for giving Indians a great chance(opportunity) to become powerfull soon.I guess that will be a big step by the Indians into Digital Era.

Techie

,Pune, on Oct 12, 2007 02:53 PM

Long live reliance !! Earlier they bring revolution in callinng rates now in computers

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