Google is taking to grass root approach to educate and increase Internet awareness in India by starting a mobile Internet bus in India. The bus will tour 15 towns across the state of Tamil Nadu and provide access to content in English and Tamil to people in these towns.
As per Prem Ramaswami, Google product manager,
It is like a pilot study (for us). More than 19 per cent of Tamilians prefer Google Tamil for accessing the Internet and that is also one of the reasons to launch the bus project from Tamil Nadu
What do you think of this grass root approach ? Do you think we need similar approaches to increase Internet adoption in smaller towns and rural areas in India ? Will it fly ?
via release
Definitely. Now itself most of the people in village has heard about Internet ( through movies / TV Channels) . But of course, these people has not seen internet or used it. This Google Bus will give such people, the first experience with Internet. Focus can be on areas relevant to Rural/ Small Town people like Agricultural market prices, Agri Research, Education & News.
Most of Tamil Writers worth their salt have websites/blogs. Also many bloggers who taste/refine their writing skills are able to publish books( print / offline). I think this is the same case with other Indian languages also. Newspapers(both National & Local) have internet presence.
As i can remember what my grandma has told me that when Tea was introduced to Indian People(during British Times) , the Tea Companies(at that time british) used to go to festivals/fairs where many people gather & give them free cup of Hot Tea. Once the people used/tasted it, Tea companies started selling Tea through shops & people bough it. I personally feel that Google Bus is doing the same thing with Internet to the Rural/Small Town people.