MainstreamingICTs

14.10.2005 “In the event of natural or even man-made disasters, adequate information on the condition of children can help create awareness against the atrocities they face, such as physical harassment, sexual abuse and trafficking of children that occurs during such times. This is where the maximum potential of ICTs can be explored.” Says F.M. Mostaque in an interview with Ankita Handoo of OneWorld South Asia.

13.10.2005 Low-cost connectivity and wide spread existence of basic telephony is transforming how India’s billion people go about their daily chores. It is comparatively easier to access or disseminate important information be it disaster, social or health related to a large rural hinterland which was earlier cut off from the mainstream. The boundaries between the two Indian realities, rural and urban are fast dissolving.

13.10.2005 What is happening now is that decisionmaking is being compartmentalised between different departments, divisions, districts and so on. Therefore, a proper network needs to be created that would connect the people to the government directly. A desire to accomplish unity of purpose and an integrated approach is imperative,” says Madhav Chavan. He shares his thoughts and experiences on Child rights and the way ICTs can be mainstreamed in child rights programmes with Reeshma Nair of OneWorld South Asia.

11.10.2005 It is important for policy framers to strategise on how people’s agency at the ground level can be enhanced and harnessed and woven into the developmental plans. It is not difficult to figure out that despite the best of intentions, numerous governmental policies failed to pick up, as they were framed without keeping the ground realities in mind, or consulting grassroots voices.