Computer @ Rs 500 - what the readers say

Computer @ Rs. 500 - what the readers say

Readers portray mixed feelings of apprehension and anticipation

Thursday, February 05, 2009

BANGALORE, INDIA: When the Government of India announced the much-hyped dream project of launching a laptop at Rs. 500, the people were quite anxious (and also apprehensive) about it. A society that is more used to false promises than the genuine ones, an average Indian likes to take it with a pinch of salt only.

A glimpse of the readers' response to the article, 'Computer @ Rs. 500 - Govt of India dreams high', appeared on www.ciol.com on January 29, evidently reflects that apprehension, disbelief and some anticipation...

“Sounds Good, but making it reality requires a long way to go. Even the below 10K INR PCs didn't take off well. Providing more details about the usage configuration and other limitations will make it popular and penetrable,” wrote Maharasan.K.S.

“It's impossible,” the reader identified as P R Dalmia, snubs the dream device. “It is possible only with hidden tag lines and * marks with it. What we are forgetting is the screen for the comp, keyboard and mouse for the comp. Earlier also the government had declared a model for Rs..5000, and now it is 500. I ask where is the model worth Rs..5,000? This is just a stunt and nothing else,” he affirms.

Despite all this there are people who has hope in the mysterious dream computer, which no one has seen so far.

“If this happens, definitely India will become the role model for the entire world.... Please make this real” was the immediate response of a reader identified as Devaraj.

Another reader, Anjali, who seconded this view, said: “This is maybe one of the best promises by Indian Govt to the student community... Hope it turns out to be a reality soon.”

Though there are readers who dream high about India making millions by selling it in the international market, many of them see the so-called laptop project as a political gimmick, with an eye on the forthcoming Parliament election.

Suspecting a foul play by politicians, a reader identified as Sunder Thadani said: “I hope this is not an election stunt. Within six months, election will be over, and so is the promise... why waste public funds in publicity? It is time to say 'bye-bye-false promises'."

And this is the opinion seconded by quite a few.

Going a step further, another reader, identified as Sun, says: “Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse, RAM, Hard Disk sold separately. Software given free, monthly broadband charges Rs. 300, monthly education software update charges Rs. 200. Politicians so far fooled us on good road, job, etc. Now they are fooling us on Computer products. Simple philosophy, when there are millions of fools to get fooled with such announcements, why not continue to fool them.”

So, is it that India is making a mountain out of a molehill? Looking at the prototype, it seems so.

©CyberMedia News

Would you like to Comment on this Article?

Name
Email
Comment Here
Code Verification

Read Comments

Sai Madhav said on 1/22/2012 12:29:01 PM:
I want Rs.1500/-Laptop

to Sai Madhav

jitendra said on 2/1/2011 2:06:18 PM:
Then the HRD Ministry annouced that the laptop announced in 1500 rs it can be useful for the poor studentt so ministry want to be work on that fastly Thanks,

to jitendra

Rama Diwakar Pawar said on 10/27/2010 2:10:56 PM:
I want to purchase this laptop please give the address where I will get the same. Mobile No.9663159634

to Rama Diwakar Pawar

jatin said on 9/21/2010 1:36:27 PM:
i cant believe this

to jatin

sumit said on 2/6/2009 4:09:07 PM:
This is the mind blowing idea of INDIAN Govt. thanks a lot for this thank uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu...........

to sumit

Collapse <div runat='server' id=Comm15062 class='CommentsContainer'><span class='commentsFrom' style='float:left;'>Sethu said on 2/5/2009 5:00:06 PM: </span><br/>I doubt if one can provide laptops for Rs.500, as according to a manufacturing expert the production of basic Mobile phone alone cost some where nearly between Rs.400-500 inclusive of taxes. But I am sure that a good basic laptop could be available for Rs.8000 as Intel made it a reality. More over a fully functional laptop is possible at a rate of Rs.16000 with good processor especially built for the portability reasons. People doubting that can check it up with Acer and Asus. <div class='CommentLineContainer'><input type=button onClick='MoveComm(15062,ctl00_ctl00_ctl00_cphMainContentSection_cphMainContentSection_cphSection1ContentPart_ThreadedComments1_txtPid);' value='Reply'/> to Sethu </div>

Sethu said on 2/5/2009 5:00:06 PM:
I doubt if one can provide laptops for Rs.500, as according to a manufacturing expert the production of basic Mobile phone alone cost some where nearly between Rs.400-500 inclusive of taxes. But I am sure that a good basic laptop could be available for Rs.8000 as Intel made it a reality. More over a fully functional laptop is possible at a rate of Rs.16000 with good processor especially built for the portability reasons. People doubting that can check it up with Acer and Asus.

to Sethu