Projects

TAVOS Media Network is a trail-blazing venture based in Palo Alto, California, that empowers people in underserved communities around the world through local media services. Our vision is to build a global network of local media microfranchises to give voice and promote the life and prosperity of every community.

Access to Computers for Non-Literate People (ACNLP) is an ongoing research project at Madan Puraskar Pustakalaya on how computers can be made beneficial for non-literate or semi-literate people. The research focuses on human computer interaction when users are unable to read or write textual representations of language. In the context of a country like Nepal where the number of non-literates is very high, the project will be very beneficial by developing computing systems that can be readily used by people with limited literacy. It is envisioned that people of any literacy background will be able to create their own information content and share their rich knowledge, heritage and experiences. The research will be one more step in the direction of eliminating the digital divide, and empowering the people with information.

Quench your need here for the latest views, news and concepts in ICTs for development in India.

When I was a venture capitalist, I was often asked what it would take to create a venture capital industry in Mexico or Indonesia or just about anywhere outside of Silicon Valley. There were often many very good reasons why it couldn't or hadn't happen - deal flow, amount of money that needed to be invested, cost of managing a fund, a service provider ecosystem, etc.

Click here to see a short music video that gives a quick glimpse into modern Brazil and the favelas.

"Give Us Your Best and Brightest: The Global Hunt for Talent and Its Impact on the Developing World" by Devesh Kapur and John McHale, the book recently mentioned in the New York Times article, illustrates best the multi-dimensional issues surrounding brain drain in a way that breaks us out of the simplistic thinking of having polarized views, either the laissez-faire attitude of "brain circulation will happen" or protectionist "globalization is damaging the local economy" answers. It is exactly the complexity of brain drain effects that makes this go beyond a black-or-white stand, and very different from issues of poverty, environment, human rights, health or equality.

Now this is an innovative idea. Move over Bottom of the Pyramid, Drool of the Pyramid markets are emerging. Check this out:

The PetsCell - the first voice enabled waterproof GPS cell phone optimized for animals, will be available for distribution (from PetsMobility in) early in 2006.

The company even has its own media division!!!