Information and Communication Technologies: A bridge for social equity and sustainable development in India

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) can reduce poverty by improving poor people's access to education, health, government and financial services. ICT can also help small farmers and artisans by connecting them to markets. India has been a breeding ground of such innovative ICT projects in the rural areas by the government and private enterprises. But these projects have either been geographically restricted to certain areas or have not been successful in reaching out to every individual in the social pyramid. This paper analyses some of the initiatives taken up by the institutions and organizations, and identifies the problems faced by these initiatives in achieving the targeted objectives, respectively. The paper then identifies technological solutions to the various problems experienced and gives an insight into the ways ICT technologies can be successfully and efficiently implemented in achieving the social objectives with which they are identified.