Sibal unveils ultra-low cost computer for students
23 Jul 2010
In a move that will bring about a sweeping change in education across the country, the ministry of human resource development unveiled a low-cost computer with a price tag of Rs1,500 or $35 yesterday.
''This is our answer to MIT's $100 computer,'' human resource development minister Kapil Sibal said.
The device, about the same size of a conventional laptop, will incorporate all elementary features, including internet browsing. The single unit system has a touch screen and a built-in keyboard along with a 2 GB RAM memory, wi-fi connectivity, USB port and is powered by a 2-watt system to suit poor power-supply areas.
The low-cost computer is expected to be available to students by next year. Unveiling the device, Sibal said, ''This is real, tangible and we will take it forward. The sun will rise for the children in 2011.''
The device is the product of a collaborative effort involving the ministry, institutes like the IITs, IISc and VIT, Vellore and students.
The low-cost computer has been in the works for nearly a decade now, and efforts were initiated by Murli Manohar Joshi in his tenure during the NDA regime, and then by Arjun Singh during UPA-I.