If you are talking about an Internet revolution in India, you will, now, have some very impressive numbers to aid you. The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and the Indian Market Research Bureau (IMRB), jointly, carried out a research recently and concluded that the number of active Internet users in rural India is expected to rise to 5.4 million in 2010 – a staggering 30% increase since 2008. The numbers are of users who have logged in atleast once over the last 30 days which adds considerable weight to the figures.
The top usage (2009 data) consisted of, expectedly, E-mail (85%) and for music and video content (67%) but there were additional trends that look encouraging at the very least. Information search – educational (48%), general (42%) and financial (15%) – online banking (15%), latest farming techniques (13%), information on fertilizers and pesticides (8%) speak volumes about the character of usage prevalent. In fact, people who have been part of rural computer literacy programmes have consistently pointed out the trend which emerges from usage pattern of new users on the Internet. It begins with heavy media viewing/downloading and celebrity news search and graduates to online news finally settling to consistent use of the Internet to gather purposeful information and use of online services.
From sheer numbers point of view, the user statistics look unimpressive because the Internet penetration potential in India has been the basis long used by businesses in the telecom, banking, education sectors and the like – rural population is pegged at around 742.72 million (2001 Census). However, the percentage growth of 30% from 2008 to 2010 in active Internet users as reported in the survey is reason to cheer because it depicts that the journey has begun firmly to tap into the much glorified potential.
Some of the rural faces are changing coz of need n some coz of choice. Look at which ever way, its a good thing.
Truly impressive
30 % growth has much to do with the trickle down effect that is primarily due to massive computerization of every aspect of life and business. Even in rural hinterlands, banking and ticketing services have gone online which calls for technological awareness.
ICT growth that we have seen in recent times is much largely due to the buzzword that the internet frenzy has created. For rural unemployed,even a simple job needs an e-mail to be dropped in. See the digitalization of services. Government has been a pioneer in bringing the change as we can see a host of initiatives like Common Services Centre (CSC – http://www.csc-india.org/) & Sahaj Kendras that has led to creation of Village Level Entrepreneurs who have become the new flag bearers of this ICT growth.
However, the optimistic part is the figures in Information search – educational (48%), general (42%) and financial (15%) – online banking (15%)as you have pointed at – we can see the revolution taking place underneath, illiterate people googling stuffs…fantastic INDIA !!