Month: November 2010

Affordable computing has long been an interest area of mine. I have written on the topic extensively over the past 7-8 years. I first  experimented with a thin client-thick server in NetCore. Later, those learnings morphed into Novatium, an independent company set up with Prof. Ashok Jhunjhunwala from IIT-Madras and Ray Stata in Chennai. Novatium was featured in a Newsweek cover story three years ago. After many ups and downs, Novatium, led by Alok Singh, is now on a firm foundation to grow rapidly, following investments by NEA and most recently, by Ericsson.

I focused primarily on the rural computing infrastructure during my talk on the panel, and made three key points.

1.        We need to set up computing infrastructure at key data collection and dissemination points.

Schools, Hospitals, Agricultural extension counters and Panchayats are the places where computing infrastructure needs to be set up. In schools, thin clients or network computers with content delivered from a local server can assist the teacher in ensuring the children get better education by making up for the lack of quality teaching staff across the country. In health and agriculture, connected computers can provide information access at the point where it is ended. Computers at panchayats can play a key role in ensuring availability of eGovernance services for citizens, as well as financial transparency on how money is being spent.

(In this context, I also said that we need to ensure that such situations don’t happen! )

Continued tomorrow.

The Computer Society of India’s 45^th Annual Convention in Mumbai held last week had a panel on Affordable Computing. I was amongst the nine panelists.

The focus of the panel was on seeing how government and industry can work together to forge a new path forward for affordable computing in India.  This was the panel brief:

India is on the threshold of emerging as a global super power. The biggest fallacy is that the infrastructure, technology bandwidth reach and coverage do not include the large multitude of our population. This population is primarily on the other side of digital divide but also facing barriers of language, technology and resources.

Is it not the responsibility of the Government and/or Industry to address the same? It is not only a corporate social responsibility but also a great business opportunity. The conclave brings together IT Secretaries, CEO and CIOs on one panel/ platform to look into the issues opportunities and challenges that are possible.

Over the next few days, I will outline the points I made, and summarise the key points the other panelists mentioned.

Continued tomorrow.

This is what I wrote two years ago just after the events of 26/11:

Today, we will go back to work.  But this time around, we just cannot forget and move on.Ensuring safety for its citizens (and not just for themselves) is the government’s top priority. National security is now India’s #1 challenge. Over the past 4 years, India has lost more citizens to terrorism than any other country except Iraq. Even as we can blame “forces across the border”, we need to do a lot of introspection — what can each of us do to ensure a safe and secure future. We cannot live in a permanent state of fear and uncertainty. Suddenly, one gets a sense of what it must be to have lived in Beirut a couple decades ago or Baghdad until recently. This is not the Mumbai I grew up in and spent most of the first four decades of my life.

This week’s links:

• The Web is reborn: from Technology Review. On how HTML5 is going to change things.
• Best Business Books of 2010: from strategy+business.
• Employee Equity: Insights by Fred Wilson. “How much equity should you grant when you make a hire?”
• HR as a core competency: by Seth Levine. ” They key is the elevating HR to an executive function, hiring someone outstanding to take on the roll, and empowering that person to make real changes in your organization.”
• India’s Telecom Scam: A series by Atanu Dey.

5Note: A friend of mine sent me this. He doesn’t have a blog, and doesn’t want to be identified. It was too good not to publish. Of course, I have to add a few disclaimers. One, I support the BJP (“lighter shades of grey”) and am not a fan of the Congress. Second, all references to people you think you can identify are coincidental.

Mohan and Madam are sitting in the bathroom of the Mohan’s house. Rahu is playing with the Chair nearby.

Madam: Mohan, why are we meeting here?

Mohan: This is the only place in the country that is not being recorded.

Madam: Oh. You mean…? Even my…?

Mohan: Yes, MadamGG. Mere Pass Tapes Hai.

Madam: So, what is this I hear? You don’t want to leave the House?

Mohan: MadamGG, I need to Clean the House first. How can I give it just like that?

Madam: You told me the other day your Conscience was Clean. So, where did this need to Clean anything come up?

Mohan: MadamGG, that was Raja who said it. If you remember, I don’t have a Conscience. You took it from me in May 2004.

Madam: Ok, Ok. So how long will it take? And why didn’t you call the Cleaning Buckets of India?

Mohan: There is Evil in the House.

Madam: Mohan, you know what I have always told you. I see No Evil. I hear No Evil. I do No Evil.

Mohan: Yes, Gandhiji….Sorry, MadamGG.  (changes to a firm tone) But I will not leave till I Clean the House.

Rahu: Mom, Mom. What is this? He is back-answering you? How has be become so Strong? Has be been taking Complan? What will happen to my House? I will never be able to get married now.

Mohan: I am not going to leave till I Clean the House. And I am going to start with you. Out. Out.

Rahu (crying): My House, My Kingdom. Mom, you promised me? Hum lut gaye, hum barbaad ho gaye.

(Mohan pushes a stunned Madam and a bawling Rahu to the door.)

 

Mohan (facing the audience): I am not weak. I am strong. I am Strong. I am STRONG. I am a Strong MAN.

Mohan removes his jacket to reveal his T-shirt. Written on it are the letters: D-A-B-A-N-G-G

A song echoes in the background:
Barkha badnam hui Soni tere liye
Vir badnam hua Rahu tere liye
Sab badman hue Lakshmi tere liye.

And then another song reverberates in the background:
Hum honge kaamyaab ek din
Mohan main hai vishwas
poora hai vishwas
hum honge kaamyaab ek din.

(The curtain falls.)

Note: A friend of mine sent me this. He doesn’t have a blog, and doesn’t want to be identified. It was too good not to publish. Of course, I have to add a few disclaimers. One, I support the BJP (“lighter shades of grey”) and am not a fan of the Congress. Second, all references to people you think you can identify are purely coincidental.

Mohan’s Secy comes running with the phone to Mohan.

Mohan Secy: Sir, it is Barkha calling.

Mohan: Stupid, haven’t I told you that it is BarkhaG? Madam will be so angry if she finds out what you call her.

Mohan (taking the phone): Yes, BarkhaG, what news do you have for me today?

Barkha: Mohan, The Time Has Come. He is Coming. He is Coming to claim his rightful place in the Sun.

Mohan: But they already have their Sun TV set and also some aeroplanes. Not to mention all that 2G money.

Barkha: Mohan, try and understand. The Messiah has Spoken.

Mohan: You mean, PranabDa?

Barkha: Mohan, listen to me carefully. The Saviour of the Masses is Here.

Mohan: But Antony was in the bathroom when I last checked on him on my new 3G Air-tell phone given to me by your friends at Radia-tion International.

Barkha: Enough, Mohan. Don’t play games with me. Here it is in simple language. Rahu is moving in.

Mohan: But…we are not renting the House.

Barkha: Mohan, you are moving out.

Mohan (a little shell-shocked): What? This cannot be happening to me. After all these years, The End comes just like that? Through an intermediary?

Mohan (regaining his calm): I am not weak. I am strong. I am Strong. I am STRONG. I am a Strong MAN.

Barkha: What are you parroting? Rahu ke pass Maa Hai.

Mohan (in a strong manly voice): Mere pass Tapes Hai.

Mohan hangs up.

Continued tomorrow.

Note: A friend of mine sent me this. He doesn’t have a blog, and doesn’t want to be identified. It was too good not to publish. Of course, I have to add a few disclaimers. One, I support the BJP (“lighter shades of grey”) and am not a fan of the Congress. Second, all references to people you think you can identify are purely coincidental.

Madam and Rahu are walking in the garden of the People’s Palace.

Rahu: I have been meaning to tell you something for quite some time, Mom.

Madam: Go ahead, Son. And please, I don’t want you starting on the Two India’s thing again. The 2G, 2 India thing is becoming too much for me. I have already told KapiUncle to teach you something new.

Rahu: No, Mom. It is something you have been waiting to hear for a long, long time.

Madam: You bought me an Island? Beta, tell me it is true?

Rahu: Yes, Mom. That, and much more. You have worked many long, hard years. So much sacrifice. So much of reading Hindi speeches written in English and Italian. You need to get some rest now. I am now Big Enough to take over. You can retire on the Island.

Madam: Wonderful, Beta. But you know how it is….you are still so alone.

Rahu: That is what I was coming to, Mom. I am going to get married. So, you can retire. And then I will need us to move into a Big House?

Madam: Rahu, but if I go away, who will cook for you? There needs to be a woman in the House.

Rahu (ignoring the last comment): Mom, I want the Big House Mohan is occupying. He needs to vacate it. I want a Big House, Mom. Please. Please.

Madam (giving Rahu a hug): Ok, Beta. Don’t cry. All this land, this country…it is all yours. You know, they called me the New Empress of India. And they also liked my New Clothes.

Rahu: Thanks, Mom. So, can you have a word with Mohan? Can I move in next week?

Madam: Of course, my son. This is a dream come true. What is it these Indians say, Sapna Saakar Hua.

(This transcript is available because the Income-Tax department recorded it.)

Continued tomorrow.

Note: A friend of mine sent me this. He doesn’t have a blog, and doesn’t want to be identified. It was too good not to publish. Of course, I have to add a few disclaimers. One, I support the BJP (“lighter shades of grey”) and am not a fan of the Congress. Second, all references to people you think you can identify are purely coincidental.

Mohan is pacing up and down his room, looking quite upset. He is talking to himself.

Mohan: I am not weak. I am strong. I am Strong. I am STRONG. I am a Strong MAN.

Mohan’s Secy enters.

Mohan Secy: Sir, there is a call from the Second G.

Mohan takes the phone immediately.

Mohan: RahuGG, Good morning.

Rahu: I wanted to buy Ireland.

Mohan: Sure, RahuGG. In which Ocean should I look for the island?

Rahu: Idiot, I said Ireland, not island. Aiy-er-Land.

Mohan: Oh…Sorry, RahuGG. I will get my ears examined.

Rahu: So, I was saying, Ireland needs $100 billion to save itself. I was reading it on ScamBuysOnline.com.

Mohan: Is that it? Even after paying for it, you and MadamGG will have $362 billion left over.

Rahu: Exactly. Your maths has improved since we spoke last. You been taking count-and-point lessons from Vir?

Mohan (shyly): Hmmm….

Rahu: Ok, Ok. Can you arrange for the Buy? I don’t want Sharad or Kani beating me to it.

Mohan: Yes, RahuGG. I will arrange for it. Ireland will be yours tomorrow. Is there anything else?

Rahu: Yes. One more thing. I am looking for a New House. I will tell you after I speak to Mom.

Continued tomorrow.

Note: A friend of mine sent me this. He doesn’t have a blog, and doesn’t want to be identified. It was too good not to publish. Of course, I have to add a few disclaimers. One, I support the BJP (“lighter shades of grey”) and am not a fan of the Congress. Second, all references to people you think you can identify are purely coincidental.

A November morning in Delhi. Mohan is sleeping. His secretary enters.

Mohan Secy: Sir, there is a phone call coming on the 2G network.

Mohan: Go away, let me sleep.

Mohan Secy: Sir, it is Madam.

Mohan: Oh. Why didn’t you wake me up earlier? Madam gets upset if I don’t answer the phone in one ring.

Mohan takes the phone quickly.

Mohan: Yes, MadamGG.

Madam: Mohan, I am reading this SMS that just came in. “The Prime Minister finally breaks his silence: The only 2G I know is SoniaG and RahulG.” How can you say such a thing?

Mohan: But, MadamGG….

Madam: You know, we only talk on 4G Networks. How could you forget PriyaG and RobG?

Mohan: Sorry, MadamGG.

Madam: So, what do you propose to do about it?

Mohan: MadamGG, I can ban all SMS like we did during Ayodha time. That worked very well.

Madam (angrily): Mohan, I am not talking about the SMS. I am talking of the 2G Scam.

Mohan: MadamGG, no one will ever find you and RahuGG got the money. I have erased all the entries in my…

Madam has put the phone down.

Mohan: MadamGG? MadamGGG?? MadamGGGG? What did I say wrong?

Continued tomorrow.

Two years ago, I spoke at the Web 2.0 Summit in San Francisco. Here is the presentation and talk.

My concluding comments:

…Whether it is Novatium’s NetPC or NetCore’s MyToday or some of the others I just mentioned, there is an opportunity for investors and entrepreneurs to do good and well in addressing the needs of hundreds millions of underserved consumers with the latest ideas in technology.

Think of them as technological Black Swans which can drive the creation of the next Microsoft or Cisco or Google. They will emerge not from the US or other developed markets, but from emerging markets like India. Emergic Innovations are a harbinger of things to come –  Made in India, Made for the World.