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The Social and Political Challenges of Akshaya Rural Kiosks

The Social and Political Challenges of Akshaya Rural Kiosks. Renee Kuriyan Energy and Resources Group University of California, Berkeley October 29, 2005. Overview. Study Area Introduction to Akshaya Research methods Challenges for Kiosks State Entrepreneurs Conclusions.

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The Social and Political Challenges of Akshaya Rural Kiosks

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  1. The Social and Political Challenges of Akshaya Rural Kiosks Renee KuriyanEnergy and Resources GroupUniversity of California, BerkeleyOctober 29, 2005

  2. Overview • Study Area • Introduction to Akshaya • Research methods • Challenges for Kiosks • State • Entrepreneurs • Conclusions

  3. Study Area: Kerala

  4. Study Area: Kerala • Kerala Model of development • Sustainability problems • Two alliances • UDF & LDF/ Communist Party of India (Marxist)

  5. Study Area: Malappuram District of Kerala

  6. Malappuram District Facts • Area of 3550 km2 • Population 3.64 million people • 60% of population • Muslim • Highest number of people living abroad in Kerala

  7. Akshaya Project Background • Grassroots beginning • Shared access model- telecenters • Public-private partnership • Goals • Bridge digital divide • Provide e-governance services • Universal access

  8. Akshaya Project Background • Initially 630 centers • Serve 1000 households each • Now- 435 centers • E-literacy phase • 65% women • Roll out of project

  9. State Strategy • Dual Strategy: • Social Development • Financial Sustainability • State’s aims: • Provide access • Provide information in local language • Awareness of IT for citizens

  10. State Strategy • State’s role • E-literacy, training, establish connectivity • Infrastructure • Entrepreneur’s role • Awareness, business strategy, provide services and applications

  11. Research Methods • Ethnographic approach • Interviews • Households • Entrepreneurs • Panchayat members • Akshaya project staff • 3 centers

  12. Challenges for State • Balance the pressures of the dual goals • Redistributive pressures from CPM and classed based interests for the ‘masses’ • Pressures from Kerala’s ‘financial sustainability’ crisis • Politics of Muslim league and CPM Many contradictions associated with dual goals

  13. Challenges for State • Other rural kiosk projects in India (link financial sustainability with project success) • financial sustainability, business plans, and business principles

  14. Challenges for State • Implement ICT kiosks as “development project” • IT dissemination to the masses • Recruit entrepreneurs • Business driven aspects & expectations of government • Risk of political criticism (excluding masses) Branding as Development Project and Achieving Business Goals Are Difficult

  15. Challenges for Entrepreneurs • 2 Populations • Need Development assistance • Can contribute to making the rural kiosks profitable

  16. Challenges for Entrepreneurs • Akshaya name vs. private sector • Images associated with poor Branding for both populations is the challenge

  17. Conclusions • Even in a place like Kerala with strong redistributive principles • Tendency for the state to adopt an ICT strategy that promotes private sector participation and sustainability of kiosks

  18. Conclusions • Substantial government support • Difficult to make rural telecenters both financially sustainable and also socially oriented

  19. Conclusions • Akshaya project straddles both goals, yet is not fully achieving either in its implementation Financial Sustainability Social Development Goals

  20. Challenges to Consider • Integration of dual goals and provision of more relevant applications • Public private partnership-shift in history of development in Kerala • Transition is slow

  21. Positive Note Widespread awareness of ICTs and basic training in the Malappuram District

  22. Thank You • Advisors: Isha Ray and Dan Kammen • Eric Brewer • Kentaro Toyama and Microsoft Research India • Akshaya project officials, entrepreneurs and people of Malappuram District • Tier Group

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