… … because 80% of India’s 1 billion people because 80% of India’s 1 billion people live in villages and many have no access tolive in villages and many have no access tojobs, food, energy or shelterjobs, food, energy or shelter … …and and little informationlittle information about what they about what they can do to improve their lives.can do to improve their lives.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY-ENABLED INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY-ENABLED COMMUNITY CENTER (ITECC)COMMUNITY CENTER (ITECC)

A properly designed and implemented

ITECCIntegratesIntegratesTraditionalTraditionalKnowledgeKnowledge

… withModern Modern ScienceScience

and Appropriate Appropriate TechnologyTechnology

forSustainableSustainable

DevelopmentDevelopment

Slide # 3

A R T SA R T S(Society for Appropriate Rural Technology for Sustainability)(Society for Appropriate Rural Technology for Sustainability)

is proud to partner withAuroville’s VILLAGE ACTIONAuroville’s VILLAGE ACTIONIn the establishment of a rural

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY-ENABLED INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY-ENABLED COMMUNITY CENTER (ITECC)COMMUNITY CENTER (ITECC)

At AurovilleFor the promotion of village-based programs

That will lead to “Total Community Development”“Total Community Development” (TCD), By enhancing the socio-economic fabric of the rural community

Through the adoption of eco-friendly eco-friendly andand appropriate appropriate technologiestechnologies that conserve Mother NatureMother Nature

Slide # 4

A R T S(Society for Appropriate Rural Technology for Sustainability)

Is a member of Sankalpa Trust, CalcuttaWhich also partners

Development Alternatives, New Delhi in areas that1. Define sustainable development initiatives, and

2. Socioeconomic and environmental factors that empower rural communities through sustainable livelihoods programs.

Particularly for the promotion of village-based programs in: • SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS• IT-ENABLED SYSTEMS & SERVICES• RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES• SHELTER PRODUCTS

Sustainable Development

A popular concept after 1992 United Nations Conf-erence on Environment and Development (UNCED),

and reinforced by Agenda 21 and the Rio Declaration.

Addresses the complex and inter-related issues of

energy and the environment

Incompatibility of present development patterns

Slide # 5

FOCUS ON METHODS

GOAL: A POSITIVE AND LASTING DEVELOPMENT OF OUR

PLANET’S RESOURCES AND POPULATIONS

A work opportunity that gives: • A decent income• Some status in society and • Some dignity and meaning in life

Slide # 6

Sustainable Livelihood

Provides opportunities for people to Provides opportunities for people to work in their own community instead of work in their own community instead of

migrating to the slums of a big city.migrating to the slums of a big city.

Purchasing power and lifestyle would be comparable to that of a factory worker in an

urban area, where the wages are much higher than in the village to compensate for

higher costs of living.

Slide # 7

Sustainable Livelihoods Outcome

IT-Enabled Community Center (ITECC) Stakeholders:

Householders / rural community members

EducationistsRural businesspersonsMediaOther NGOs and Local government institutions

Slide # 8

Participatory practicesParticipatory practices promote promote total total empowermentempowerment of rural communities through of rural communities through foundation-levelfoundation-level developmental programs developmental programs

defined in the defined in the Pyramidal Model.Pyramidal Model.

Training & Education CenterFor employment generation

SANKALPA’S Pyramidal ModelSANKALPA’S Pyramidal Modelfor TOTAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENTTOTAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Slide # 9

Renewable Energy CenterFor technology dissemination

Building CenterFor demonstration ofeco-friendly products

Information Technology CenterFor Internet-based and IT-enabled services, including ‘Telemedicine’

It is about changing power

structures to remove the barriers that

prevent people from participating in the issues that affect their lives.

Community development is about

building active and sustainable

communities based on social justice and mutual respect.

Education & Training CenterA major objective is to provide a platform for the rural entrepreneur to develop the necessary technical and management skills that will be needed to be successful in the uncompromising global market place. Currently the Sankalpa Arts & Handicrafts Center strategy is to develop the following handicraft products:

Handmade Paper Products Bamboo Handicrafts Jute Handicrafts

Slide # 10

(visit http://societyarts.tripod.com/12ah/hmpp.html for details)

Renewable Energy Center

Energy, although not an end in itself, facilitates socio-economic activities and promotes human empowerment.

The rampant unavailability of energy sources and services correlates closely with many challenges of sustainable development, such as poverty alleviation, the advancement of women, protection of the environment, and perhaps most importantly - the creation of sustainable livelihoods.

Slide # 11

A biomass gasifier system for cremation reduces fuel wood consump-tion from 600 kg to 150 kg - almost 75% reduction! Alternate biomass fuels like rice husks and other agricul-tural crop residues may be used.(visit http://societyarts.tripod.com/03sene/index.html for

details)

Building Center

Functions as a grassroots level technology transfer center in rural areas to disseminate information on cost effective and environment friendly building technology for:

Skill Upgradation & Training

Manufacturing & Distribution

Design Consultancy & Services

Develop appropriate technologies

Vertical Shaft Brick Kilns (VSBK) Technology represents a very energy efficient and higher quality method of firing bricks resulting in an energy saving of 30 % compared to BTK and more than 50% compared to clamps.

Slide # 12

(visit http://societyarts.tripod.com/04sshe/index.html for details)

Combines ICT with native ingenuity and inherent business skills in rural communities to create new livelihoods opportunities and create new jobs for local entrepreneurs.

IT-Enabled Services Center

TARAhaat.com is both, a horizontal and a vertical portal (hence a Mother portal, or ‘Mortal’), with an interactive and graphics-intensive interface, which allows semi-literate and neo-literate users enhanced access to products and services.

SARI Project in Tamil Nadu

Slide # 13

(visit http://societyarts.tripod.com/01sinf/index.html for details)

The ‘Sustainability Index’ is a function of the the four foundation elements (livelihoods, energy, shelter and information).

The index provides a measure of sustainability, on the basis of functionalities offered and maturity of services provided.

Slide # 14

SUITABLY EQUIPPED AND STAFFED

ITECCs ARE THE IDEAL

VILLAGE-BASED RESOURCE

FOR IMPLEMENTING

SDC POLICIES AND PROGRAMS.

Village-based IT-Enabled Community Centers (ITECCs)

Slide # 15

Provide a sustainable resource to demonstrate and disseminate appropriate and environment friendly technologies;

Opportunities for primary and adult education and capacity building;

Opportunities for rural people to find work in their own community, instead of migrating to the slums of a big city.

Note: A ‘Deal Sheet’ for Social Entrepreneurs, who may be interested in investing towards the development of a typical village-based ITECC in India, will be made available upon request.

mailto: subra@engr.colostate.edu

A typical village-based ‘IT-Enabled Community Center’

Slide # 16

Training & Education CenterHand made paper productsSilk screen printing unitBamboo handicraftsJute handicraftsSewing handicrafts/toysPottery itemsFood dryingEnergy efficient chulhasMarine products

Typical Projects for TOTAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENTTOTAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Slide # 17

Renewable Energy CenterBiomass Gasifier Power PlantEnergy BriquettesSolar ShopBiogas plant + accessoriesBiomass Gasifier Refrigerator (3TR)

Building CenterVSBKAuroram (CEB)MCR TilesFC Doors & WindowsFC Channels

Information Technology CenterTelemedicine CenterPublications CenterInternet servicesJingle productioneBook productionLibrary

Sustainable DevelopmentThese are instances of livelihood projects that are environmentally and economically viable and sustainable.

Projects for TOTAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENTTOTAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENTFocus on TelemedicineFocus on Telemedicine

Slide # 18Note: Details will be made available on request

The components of the Telemedicine Project—which is not directly a part of any of the four basic Sankalpa Pyramidal model—are briefly described in the images in this slide, essentially to demonstrate the superior services that are planned.

Projects for TOTAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENTTOTAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT(from the previous slides)(from the previous slides)

Slide # 18

TYPICAL BUDGET

Note: Details will be made available on request

Indian Rs US $ * % of Totala Personnel 5,568,000 135,805 19.9%b Fringe Benefits 556,800 13,580 2.0%c Travel 1,830,000 44,634 6.5%d Equipment 11,926,000 290,878 42.6%e Supplies 2,802,500 68,354 10.0%f Contractual 750,000 18,293 2.7%g Construction 1,760,000 42,927 6.3%h Other 870,480 21,231 3.1%i. Total direct charges (sum a to h) 26,063,780 635,702 93.2%j Indirect Charges 1,915,056 46,709 6.8%k TOTALS (sum of i and j) 27,978,836 682,411 100.0%

* US$ to Rs conversion rate = 41

# Budgetary Head Funding Request

The anthropomorphic ‘human’ model of the ITECC

The Operating Model of the ITECC shown in the next slide is based on the analogy of a human being - and for emotive clarity, we have used Leonardo Da Vinci’s famous sketch of a man as the central motif - to model the operational characteristics of the ITECC. The three-tiered structure of the ITECC is defined on the right side of the image, as:(a) The Think Tank; (b) The Community; and(c) The CenterIt has to be understood by ALL members of the target rural community, for a successful intervention. It therefore has to translated into the local language for maximizing its effectiveness.

Slide # 19

The anthropomorphic ‘human’ model of the ITECCVisionaries (The Head – thinking ability): The community elders and children, teachers, media, business persons, NGOs and the Panchayat leaders, who will design and formalize the rules for running and operating the ITECC, sustainably.

The Community (The Body – denoting action): All men and women of the community constitute the right and left hands - to do the main work of community building through participatory approaches, and at the heart of the body are all the children of the community - for they are the future.

The Center (The Legs – motive power): The community volunteers, NGO staff and academicians, social workers and Visiting Fellows; they comprise (a) the “Learning Center (LC)” (left leg) and (b) the “Community Development Cell (CDC)” (right leg)

The left/right marching analogy explains that the community must incrementally learn first

and only then implement the related community development program, in a continuous cycle to achieve sustainable

community development.

And as in any marching regimen, we have to lead with the left first, followed by the right, and so on, so that the

entire body can move forward – otherwise, it will either topple

or go out of synchronism.

Slide # 20

The anthropomorphic ‘human’ model of the ITECCKey features of the ‘Human’ Model:

1. The ‘Visionaries’ determine the way the ITECC will function: (a) governance; (b) membership criteria; (c) way to self-sustainability, (d) learning tools; (e) development programs.

2. The entire ‘Community’ has to be mobilized and involved in the successful participatory functioning of the ITECC.

3. The ‘Center’ provides only the legs for carrying the community forward - first by ‘learning’ what has to be done, and only when all the ramifications are understood, initiate the ‘Community Development’ programs.

Slide # 21

Sankalpa Sustainable Development Model

People of the community

People of the community

People of the community

People of the community

People of the community

We believe simplicity is the key to success

… and simply let the people of the village community use the ITECC without any hindrance.

Children will study any subject of

their choice

Women will choose their own path to

empowerment

People will choose their own preferred livelihood option …

… that will be economically sustainable …

… and environmentally

sound.

…Labpur ITECC

(Birbhum)Silla ITECC(Burdwan)

Barasat ITECC(24-Pgs.)

Baidyapur ITECC(Nadia)

Santiniketan ITECC(Birbhum)

First, build a suitable ITECC in the target rural community

Slide # 22

Labpur, in Birbhum, West Bengal, was the first village

that we studied. The first experimental SDC was built at

Santiniketan

We have now established our

Sankalpa Research Center at

Village Baidyapur in Nadia, West

Bengal, where we shall

continue our experiments

with sustainability

Slide # 19

We have also

worked in other

districts in West

Bengal and Tamil

Nadu

Easy to access and simple to use; Provide educational programs that children can

relate to and operate without supervision; Convince women and girls that the ITECC offers

real opportunities for their empowerment; Convince the community that the neighborhood

ITECC will provide the tools to solve their own problems, in their own way and at their pace.

Key Success Factors for rural ITECCs

A robust sustainable development program requires transparency, participative management and universal usability.

Slide # 24

Universal usability & design of village-based IT-enabled services involve not only an understanding of how users attempt to accomplish specific tasks, but also:

A detailed assessment of the socio-economic, sociocultural and sociotechnical factors that impact the penetration of ITES systems, as well as

The externalities that apply to ITES systems.

Universal Usability for rural areas

Slide # 25

Stresses the reciprocal interrelationship between humans and machines, so that efficiency and humanity would

not contradict each other.

Sociotechnical concepts

Slide # 26

Sociotechnical theory proposes that an ITES system has both, technical and human/social aspects that are tightly

bound and interconnected.

Rather than individual elements, we need to study these interconnections to enhance usability and overall system performance.

Slide # 27

Sociotechnical factors for sustainability

Empower rural communities to eliminate any residual urge of villagers to migrate to the cities in search of a better life;

Attract people of rural origin who had once migrated to the cities, to return in droves, and thereby start a new revolution … a sustainable one … throughout the country.

A robust SDC requires a focus on scientific management for success.

Expected results from village-based ITECCs

Slide # 28

Sustainability requires control over these administrative processes and scientific methodologies

Each intervention strategy requires its own unique set of administrative processes and scientific methodologies for success.

Slide # 29

A vigorous participatory approach between target rural communities, educationists, rural business stakeholders, the media, NGOs and the local government / political administration is needed to implement a robust plan for sustainable rural development.

Sustainability and universal usability requires, amongst other factors, an understanding of sociotechnical factors, and the institutionalization of scientific management practices and methodologies.

Appropriate village-based IT-Enabled Community Centers promote sustainable development and livelihoods.

CONCLUSIONS

Slide # 30