When it is pointed out that even the poor in India and China have integrated the mobile phone into their lives, and that perhaps mobile phone technology is better suited in this part of the world, Negroponte is quick to reply: "The mobile phone brings connectivity. That's a good thing. But a handheld device is not an educational device. It's not an appropriate size for reading."
So, though the future of the venture is uncertain in India, the group is pushing forward, with the help of ADAG’s Digital Bridge Foundation.
Sumit Chowdhury of the DBF points to the OLPC prototype in Khairat village, Maharashtra, where the students learn in both English and Marathi scripts. The next step, he says, is to get state governments on board, so that the project can be scaled up.
Speaking passionately about the project's potential, Dr Cavallo made a plea on behalf of poor youngsters the globe over. "It's the goal of educators for their students to eventually surpass them. The computer is the best tool mankind has invented to achieve this. . . These kids aren't suffering from a lack of capability. They're suffering from a lack of opportunity."
Image: The Rs 8,000 XO Laptop.
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