The Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT, Rajasthan) has brought out the world’s cheapest tablet, Aakash, at a mere price of Rs 2,250. Launched in a much-publicised event at the Vigyan Bhawan, Aakash is being touted as the poor man’s iPad—India’s answer to a growing need for expansion in the online education sector.
The manufacturers and promoters have dubbed Aakash as being made ‘completely’ in India. However, the tablet requires its 800 components to come from all over the world. Thirty nine per cent of the components are brought in from South Korea and 24 from China. India manages to produce 16 per cent of the components. Officials at Datawind, a London-based company that specialises in manufacturing small laptops and tablets, say Aakash could be even cheaper if India could manufacture essentials such as the screen and the touchpad.
With 700 pieces being manufactured on an everyday basis in Andhra Pradesh, the HRD ministry’s immediate goal is set at one lakh devices at present. The ministry is also encouraging more and more entrepreneurs to partner on the project.
Speaking on the occasion of the launch, HRD Minister Kapil Sibal said that it was one of the rare moments in history, which are recognised by future generations as milestones. “This is dedicated to all of you who are disempowered, living in the fringes of the society. The UPA has always looked at inclusive growth. Technology has been for the rich. However, Aakash will bridge the digital divide. The poorest of students and the most deprived of youths will be accessing world class lectures, the best of the technological world,” said Sibal.
Sibal expressed a firm resolve to introduce a tablet that would cost just $10 or approximately Rs 500. He also went on to reveal that as a Minister for Information and Technology he would introduce a bill in the next monsoon session to ensure ‘electronic delivery of public services’. “Corruption can be substantially curtailed in delivery of public services through delivery in a transparent manner through electronic means,” he added presenting Aakash on a giant screen.
N K Sinha, additional secretary, HRD Ministry said that the gadget would help the ministry in its ambitious project of enhancing Gross Enrolment Ratio by many folds. “People laughed at us in the beginning. It all started in 2007 we took the help of B-tech student and what came out was a mother board that completely demystifies a laptop,” he said.
Dr Prem Kalra, director of IIT (Rajasthan), said that Aakash was an inspiration and encourages entrepreneurship in a big manner. “It’s true, there are glitches. This (the event) too is a field test. The state coordinators will take the tablets for field testing all around the country,” he said. “It all started with an idea. One of our students – a B-tech graduate who helped us in the process too,” he added. The student in question, Kapil Sibal revealed, is Kalra’s son.
Given that Aakash promises to be a “revolution” in its own way, is it the next big thing? According to Datawind, “Aakash is a 7’Android 2.2 touch screen tablet that has a HD video co-processor for a high-quality multimedia experience and core graphics accelerator for faster application support”. Even though the tablet promises to be the next big thing in the world of people-friendly technology, it still has a long way to go as far as applications are concerned.
As TEHELKA found out, even though Aakash has a potential to house 70,000 features, several applications were not functioning. The touch screen, one of the most expensive components in the tablet, is unimpressive. But for Rs 2,250 Aakash still is a breathtaking gadget as it not only plays HD videos but also has the ability to process fast; thus ensuring heightened internet speed. It also offers wi-fi connectivity and two USB ports. Aakash has also an impressive 256 MB RAM and an external memory of 2 GB, expandable upto 32.
For all the plans to introduce E-learning among students in rural areas, the HRD Ministry has a fundamental roadblock in the form of sheer lack of internet connectivity in large swathes of the country. But Datawind seems to have an answer for this too. “We are considering introducing General Pocket Radio System (GPRS) through sim cards in the tablet,” said Suneet Singh Tuli of Datawind.
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