|
The objectives of CICs in the North East are to function as nodal points for communication, information exchange, citizen-centric services, entertainment and learning. The CICs fulfill their objectives by the establishment of IT infrastructure at the Block level to create IT awareness amongst the local populace. The CICs are making all possible efforts to put the North East on the IT map of the world. The establishment of CICs has helped the people of the North East to advance further in the field of computers and connect with the rest of the country. The objectives of the CICs are as under: To provide ICT infrastructure at the block level As most towns and villages in North Eastern India are situated in difficult terrain, they lacked a clear communication network to link them with the rest of the country. The CICs are making dedicated efforts to provide this missing link to the people here. A good communication network will undoubtedly help in the development of this region especially socially and economically. To provide Web Access and Internet Services In this age of the Internet super highway, any information we require is just a click away. With the world shrinking into a closely-knit global village, it's imperative that our country becomes a part of this village in totality. Further to this goal, the CICs aim at providing global connectivity to the inhabitants of the North East. To provide Market Access and E-commerce Greater exchange of market information is a must for trade to flourish. A successful seller must be fully informed about domestic as well as global trends. This enables sellers to learn about new products in the market, to anticipate demand for existing and new products; and to understand pricing strategies. Business decisions taken on the strength of current and relevant inputs always fetch better results than otherwise. In the North East, valuable trade information and inputs can be accessed through the platform provided by CICs. IT frees entrepreneurs in the North East from barriers to their business like their location, inhospitable terrain etc.
To provide access to Socio-Economic Databases
India has the hallmark of being a country of regional, religious and cultural variety. This has contributed to a vast pool of socio-economic information. Such vital information databases have been meticulously aggregated over a period of time by many governmental and non-governmental organizations.
CICs are helping to make these critical databases available to the residents of North East region. This allows a sense of oneness with the rest of the nation - a feeling that had long been missing in the North East owing to the region being geographically cut-off from the rest of the country.
To provide E-learning (Computer-Aided Learning Processes) and E-education
CICs undertake the fruitful and beneficial task of bringing literacy to the people of the North East. The Internet provides access to numerous educational institutes that offer online courses. Taking advantage of Internet access at the CICs, students and other professionals can become a part of a global community pursuing higher and specialized education. Educational CDs are used to train local students.
This engagement of the CICs as centers of educational and professional growth would go a long way in improving literacy levels in the North East.
To provide E-medicine and E-consulting
With sustained economic development, Indians have started giving priority to healthcare like never before. However, quality healthcare services are not as regularly or easily available in hilly and remote regions of the country.
Tele-consultation by prominent experts helps general practitioners in these inaccessible regions to stay in touch with experts in their subject. It also helps citizens to broaden their knowledge base on such diseases, their prevention and patient care.
To provide E-governance Applications
The government - public interaction is increasing at a steady pace in India. Citizens, who earlier had to stand in queues for hours to obtain a single government form, can now download these forms straight off the net in the comfort of their homes. Residents of the North East can do the same in the comfort of various CICs. Both the State and Central government have created single window clearances to provide access to their services. The CICs are functioning as gateways for inhabitants of the North East to avail this opportunity.
To provide Weather Information
The North Eastern economy has been constantly ravaged by the spate of floods hitting the region with morbid regularity. The fatalities have been both physical and financial. When monsoons hit the area, villages often remain cut off from rest of the districts in the state as well as the rest of the country. In such critical situations, CICs with their satellite based communication networks are a lifesaver by providing information on weather and a link to the rest of the country.
To create IT awareness among locals
People of all age groups are becoming increasingly inquisitive about computers and IT. This is true not just of urban settlements but also remote villages in the North East. Families often send children to big cities and metros to pursue higher education or to work. With postal facilities providing snail mail, the Internet rescues impatient families with access to instant communication via e-mail, chat etc. Families and friends can even see their loved ones via web cameras. The CICs put forward their friendly hand in meeting this requirement and train and educate residents interested in learning these communication tools of the Internet.
To provide computer training programmes
While using the CICs for communicating with far-away family and friends, and to seek global
information is a definite trend, the growing job market for IT professionals has led to North Eastern citizens seeking training and education in computer programmes, applications etc. CIC operators, who are trained in these much-in-demand programmes, provide training services.
IGNOU has rolled out its Computer Literacy Programme (CLP) using CIC infrastructure at many locations. 321 CICs have been selected as centres for accreditation for DOEACC "Course on Computer Concepts" (CCC) Certificate. Computer Aided Paperless Examination System (CAPES) developed by NIC is being utilized for conducting online tests for awarding the "CCC" Certificates.
To provide access to Tender Notification
Professionals who wish to participate in government projects through tenders used to rely on snail mail to receive project details, to send their proposals and for all interactions. This often led to waste of time, money and resources. Now they can access project details and tender notifications via Internet services at the CICs without any loss of time and at significantly lower expense.
To provide E-employment Notification
Information on job opportunities can be easily accessed on the Internet. CICs provide a platform for aspirants to surf the net, visit job employment sites and locate promising careers any where in the country or the world without leaving their homes.
To provide Edutainment
CICs serve as a medium that performs dual functions of disseminating information and entertaining the local populace. Television sets at CICs display important events and current happenings. Doordarshan Programmes (DD-I and DD-News) are being broadcast to all the CICs through the CIC network. Visual proceedings of interesting events are broadcast to all CICs. National and International newspapers are being delivered electronically.
|
