408.2
Patterns of ICTs Using and Information Flow: A Study of Rural India
Manushi and Prakash Chandra Dilare, PhD Scholars, Center for the Study of Social Systems, School of Social Sciences, Jawahar Lal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
ABSTRACT
Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are widely acknowledged as important resources in all the aspects of socioeconomic development and this is especially articulated in national policies. Among developing countries, this perspective incorporates ICTs into the development agenda because of their relevance in transforming human activities and in presenting new opportunities for economic growth. Even if ICTs appear ubiquitous in this day and age, it still exists, the gnawing presence of digital divide and social exclusion. A considerable number of marginalized groups, such as rural folk, women, and low-income youth remain unreached by the benefits ICTs are supposed to offer. The vision of a so-called “information society for all” as stated in both developed and developing countries’ ICT policy documents today does not apparently include “all” (Chiumbu 2008).
This paper presents the patterns of people’s ICTs using and information flow perceived in India, especially in the rural areas. India is a country of multiple divides as social and economic divides already exists in the country and now with the emergent of new ICTs new divisions are shaped on the basis of many factors involved in its use and access. Today growing ICTs and the telecommunication in country has given opportunities to the excluded sections to be part of this new information society. But the impact of ICTs in rural areas is still very limited, despite its penetration into every corner of modern life. There is need of relatively good flow of information and special skills to make full use of ICTs for socio-economic gains.