Google spreads internet knowledge through 'internet bus' in Tamil Nadu

07 February 2009

Search engine giant Google is taking the internet to the hinterland of India by coming out with a unique way of letting people across Tamil Nadu experience the internet through an 'internet mobile bus',  equipped with computers with internet connectivity and trained staff to guide rural people to the web world.

As the bus will cover 15 towns in the next one-and-half months, Google aims to reach out to people with limited knowledge and exposure to the net.

The focus will be on four themes, information, communication, entertainment and education, for which the internet bus will have useful and informative content in English and Tamil to give the users an understanding of how the internet can be used for all of these needs.

In addition to basic familiarisation on using services like search, email, social networking, online maps and others the bus will showcase how the internet can make everyday life simple.

"We believe that if we can get people to experience the internet even briefly they will find the means to go back again," says Dr Prasad Ram, head of Google R&D, India.

Dr Ram adds, ''We are passionate about empowering users with information and the internet democratises access to information. With this initiative we want to take the power of this medium to people who will really benefit from it.
 
"India needs more of such efforts. It is the collective responsibility of the government, the industry and academia to solve the challenges around access, costs and content. Once this is done, the possibilities of use are limitless."