Just to point out that this issue is being debated beyond Free Software/Open Source mailing lsts. Some relevant questions below... FN

---------- Forwarded Message ---------- Subject: RE: [bytesforall_readers] About Shiksha, Narayana Murthy and Bill gates.. Date: Sun, 24 Nov 2002 17:21:21 -0000 From: Murali Shanmugavelan MuraliS@panoslondon.org.uk To: "'Frederick Noronha '" fred@bytesforall.org

The Project mission and its gensis:

Shiksha India is a non-profit initiative, aimed at bridging the digital divide in India. This project was conceived of by the Global Leaders for Tomorrow of the World Economic Forum, incubated by the Confederation of Indian Industry.

Who's who:

"Shiksha India's mission is computer literacy -- a basic skill that blue collar workers like mechanics and rural citizens like farmers will find useful in their daily lives. It will substantially increase the earning capacity of mainstream India in direct and indirect ways and also help in bridging the digital divide that exists in India " said N. R. Narayana Murthy, trustee of Shiksha India (from Schoolsonline.org)

Does Mr. Bill's donation to Shiksha and his choice of NGOs tell us anything? The Political economy of NGos have powerful roles in informing and shaping policies in today's informing society. Especially, when the political economy is governed by business corporations.

I would like to know if there are examples as to how many ICT4D projects have implemented non-microsoft platforms to increase the flow from and towards the poor and marginalised.

Pointer URLs: http://www.weforum.org/site/homepublic.nsf/Content/The+World+Economi c+Forum+ Announces+Global+Leaders+for+Tomorrow+Task+Forces

http://world-links.org/english/assets/india_project.pdf

Murali Shanmugavelan. Panos Institute London.

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