The United States Agency for International Development office here in New Delhi connected me with a group of Indian social entrepreneurs the U.S. is supporting, and the power of the tools they are putting in the hands of India’s virtual middle class at low prices is jaw-dropping. Gram Power is creating smart microgrids and smart meters to provide reliable, scalable power for Indian rural areas, where 600 million Indians do not have regular (or any) electricity with which to work, read and learn. For 20 cents a day, Gram Power offers villagers a prepaid electricity card that can power all their home appliances. Healthpoint Services is providing safe drinking water for a family of six for 5 cents a day and telemedicine consultations for 20 cents a visit. VisionSpring is now distributing examinations and eyeglasses to India’s poor for $2 to $3 each. The Institute for Reproductive Health is alerting women of their fertile days each month with text messages, indicating when unprotected sex should be avoided to prevent unwanted pregnancies. And Digital Green is providing low-cost communications systems for Indian farmers and women’s groups to show each their best practices through digital films projected on a dirt floor.
Anand and Ravi's blog for a Times of India Group column, now a spin-off which you can follow along as it merrily meanders through myriads of matters. Now, new and improved with a new focus on Education in general, and Math/Science Education in particular. Themes: Science/Technology, Economics, Mathematics and Innovation. Also featuring discussions with some of the world's leading thinkers on science, technology, economics, and innovation.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Digital Green mention in the New York Times
Our non-profit Digital Green got a mention in Tom Friedman's column in the New York Times earlier this month: