TVSE joins Indian language software pioneer to spread IT

Usha Somayaji
25 May 2000

Democratising IT can only be done by making it accessible to the masses through breaking the twin barriers of language and cost, believes Gopal Srinivasan, director, computer peripherals major, TVS Electronics.

He estimates that only 10 per cent of the Indian population understands English, and if information technology has to be taken to the masses, it can only be through Indian languages.

In order to achieve this objective, crystallised in the TVSE mission of "taking IT to the heart of India", the company has entered into a 33: 67 joint venture with Indian language software leaders Modular Systems, called Modular Infotech P Ltd. This accounts for an initial investment of Rs 2.3 crore in the company, valued at Rs 7 crore, says Srinivasan.

Together with this, the company has also developed an all-in-one compact Internet-ready "keyboard appliance" that offers the multiple benefits of a computer, keyboard, UPS, and modem, combined with Indian language capability in a single appliance.

This laser etched 'keyboard appliance' will be available to the masses at a fraction of the cost of a PC -- at about Rs 20,000, and can be plugged into TV or PC monitors and used. The appliance is seen to have the maximum demand in the net surfing and government sectors.

Srinivasan believes that the way to making information technology accessible to every citizen at the lowest unit cost is to make it as easily available as the PCO/STD facility.