24th Nov 4 PM IST
Paranjoy Guha Thakurta and Satish Jha on Aaakash: Lok Sabha TV: Thursday,
Aakash, the Government of India suppprted tablet computer through its Minsitry of Human Resource Development has been making waves for a few weeks now.
Tom Friedman of NY Times commented on the enthusiasm around it without suggesting he had seen it.
The Statesman, BBC, CNN The Daily Telegraph had several critical questions on it.
More than half the Indians who are vocal about contemporary issues seem to like the idea of India making a cheap tablet computer. In the meantime it has raised several questions.
Is Aakash, billed as the cheapest tablet anywhere, for real?
Does it really deliver value to students in ways that One Laptop per Child (OLPC) does? How useful is it for students?
Is it good for only urban and college students?
Can it be used in villages and primary schools?
Does it come with all the applications needed for education?
Is it rugged enough that it can fall and not break and still work?
Does it have a screen that can be read under the sun?
Is it moisture proof?
Can its battery last the duration of an average day in a school?
Does it excite children to learn?
Is it user friendly?
Why did the Government say that it was not designed to be repaired?
Use it until it works and throw it away when it does not?
Is it truly disposable?
Or is it so cheap that it is too expensive at any price?
Which country other than the US has visibly contributed to the development of PC or personal computers?
Which country other than Japan has been competing with the US in designing better laptops?
Which country other than China, where both the US and Japan manufacturer their best selling products, can manufacture cheaper than China can? So can India really do it?
There are several questions that have been intriguing people of India and the Indian diaspora just as many people critical of the developments in the US and Europe are asking about Aakash.
Loksabha TV is a bit like America's PBS or some may call it C-SPAN.
Paranjoy Guha Thakurta is one of the most respected journalists of India, in print as well as on the little screen.
Paranjoy Guha Thakurta met with with Rodrigo Arboleda, Chairman OLPC Association based in Miami and Satish Jha, Chairman, OLPC India Foundation to discuss on Aaakash and how computers like OLPC's XO can help the underprivileged children of India learn to become critical thinkers and problem solvers now.
Loksabha TV:
