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Ancient Khedbrahma set to create cyber history [Ahmedabad] [Times of India]
[September 15, 2014]

Ancient Khedbrahma set to create cyber history [Ahmedabad] [Times of India]


(Times of India Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) AHMEDABAD: Tribals of ancient Khedbrahma are set to make history. This part of Sabarkantha district will become the first WiFi-enabled taluka of Gujarat. Digital Setu, the ambitious project, will cover 32 villages and more than 3 lakh populace. The project will be inaugurated on Friday by chief minister Anandiben Patel.



Known for many historical and mythological tales associated with it, for Khedbrahma, this promises to be a whole new chapter in cyber space. History of this place can be traced back to 11th century when the temple of Lord Brahma is believed to have been built. The taluka also boasts of many ancient stepwells and Jain temples.

Its rich historical background and high literacy rate, however, failed to draw any internet service providers for years together. This was the genesis of Khedbrahma Model of Rural Broadband Internet. The district administration has tied up with a private firm for implementation of this Public Private Partnership (PPP) project which will gift the Khedbrahma populace with seamless, high-speed internet connectivity in all the 32 villages.


"Internet connections provided under this project will be at a subsidized rate and for each internet connection subscribed by the populace, Khedbrahma taluka panchayat and women's group - Sakhi Mandal - will get a 10% commission," said Nagarajan M, district development officer of Sabarkantha.

District panchayat of Sabarkantha has been toiling hard for the past eight months to make this cyber dream come true. Lakshmipura village sarpanch, a namesake of chief minister Anandiben Patel, said, "I have applied for four internet connections for my home. The WiFi internet connectivity will give a much-needed fillip to our businesses - agriculture and milk production." "Tribal farmers are looking towards the internet empowerment with a lot of hope. They will be able to access market rates and this will prevent the wholesalers and their agents from cheating them on prices," she said.

Nagarajan said: "The wi-fi facility will mean a lot for local students who have to travel from 15 to 30km to reach cyber cafes for filling up entrance and college admission forms. In the next phase, we plan to start e-education at schools and smart classes for students of Khedbrahma." (c) 2014 Bennett, Coleman & Company Limited

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