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This material is based in part upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0326582.
The Social and Political Challenges of Akshaya
Rural Kiosks
Renee KuriyanEnergy and Resources Group
University of California, BerkeleyOctober 29, 2005
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This material is based in part upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0326582.
OverviewStudy Area Introduction to AkshayaResearch methodsChallenges for Kiosks
StateEntrepreneurs
Conclusions
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This material is based in part upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0326582.
Study Area: Kerala
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This material is based in part upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0326582.
Study Area: KeralaKerala Model of developmentSustainability problemsTwo alliances
UDF & LDF/ Communist Party of India (Marxist)
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This material is based in part upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0326582.
Study Area: Malappuram District of Kerala
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This material is based in part upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0326582.
Malappuram District Facts
Area of 3550 km2
Population 3.64 million people60% of population
MuslimHighest number of people living abroad in Kerala
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This material is based in part upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0326582.
Akshaya Project BackgroundGrassroots beginningShared access model- telecentersPublic-private partnershipGoals
Bridge digital divideProvide e-governance servicesUniversal access
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This material is based in part upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0326582.
Akshaya Project BackgroundInitially 630 centersServe 1000 households eachNow- 435 centersE-literacy phase
65% women
Roll out of project
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This material is based in part upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0326582.
State StrategyDual Strategy:
Social DevelopmentFinancial Sustainability
State’s aims:Provide accessProvide information in local languageAwareness of IT for citizens
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This material is based in part upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0326582.
State StrategyState’s role
E-literacy, training, establish connectivityInfrastructure
Entrepreneur’s roleAwareness, business strategy, provide services and applications
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This material is based in part upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0326582.
Research Methods
Ethnographic approachInterviews
HouseholdsEntrepreneursPanchayat membersAkshaya project staff
3 centers
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This material is based in part upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0326582.
Challenges for State
Balance the pressures of the dual goals
Redistributive pressures from CPM and classed based interests for the ‘masses’Pressures from Kerala’s ‘financial sustainability’ crisisPolitics of Muslim league and CPM
Many contradictions associated with dual goals
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This material is based in part upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0326582.
Challenges for StateOther rural kiosk projects in India (link financial sustainability with project success)
financial sustainability, business plans, and business principles
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This material is based in part upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0326582.
Challenges for StateImplement ICT kiosks as “development project”
IT dissemination to the masses
Recruit entrepreneurs Business driven aspects & expectations of government
Risk of political criticism (excluding masses)
Branding as Development Project and Achieving Business Goals Are Difficult
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This material is based in part upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0326582.
Challenges for Entrepreneurs
2 PopulationsNeed Development assistance Can contribute to making the rural kiosks profitable
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This material is based in part upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0326582.
Challenges for EntrepreneursAkshaya name vs.
private sectorImages associated with poor
Branding for both populations is the challenge
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This material is based in part upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0326582.
ConclusionsEven in a place like Kerala with strong redistributive principlesTendency for the state to adopt an ICT strategy that promotes private sector participation and sustainability of kiosks
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This material is based in part upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0326582.
ConclusionsSubstantial government supportDifficult to make rural telecenters both financially sustainable and also socially oriented
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This material is based in part upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0326582.
ConclusionsAkshaya project straddles both goals, yet is not fully achieving either in its implementation
Financial Sustainability Social Development Goals
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This material is based in part upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0326582.
Challenges to ConsiderIntegration of dual goals and provision of more relevant applicationsPublic private partnership-shift in history of development in KeralaTransition is slow
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This material is based in part upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0326582.
Positive Note
Widespread awareness of ICTs and basic training in the Malappuram District
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This material is based in part upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0326582.
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This material is based in part upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0326582.
Thank YouAdvisors: Isha Ray and Dan KammenEric BrewerKentaro Toyama and Microsoft Research IndiaAkshaya project officials, entrepreneurs and people of Malappuram DistrictTier Group