ICTs for Rural Development? : Answers from Below - A Micro-Level Study of Five ICT Enabled Villages in Tamil Nadu

Abstract

This paper explicates some of the perceptions and usage patterns concerning the rural information centres / kiosks and the limitations in effective implementation of the 'Information for Development' (I4D) mantra. This has been done through an empirical study of five ICT enabled villages in the Thiruvallur district in Tamil Nadu. The findings are based on extensive interactions with various stakeholders like the kiosk operators and various sectors of the rural community. Various parameters such as gender and caste; and issues such as cost, technology choice and sustainability have been considered. The findings highlight the potentials of I4D, the expectations and attitudes at the receiving end, the challenges, limitations and suggestions for more effective implementation in future.