Personal computing crucial to India's knowledge economy vision: Intel

Personal Computers (PCs) are instrumental in closing the skill gap, enabling upward socio-economic mobility and achieving universal digital literacy in the country, states an Impact Assessment Report commissioned by Intel India.

The report finds that while smartphone has been a gateway to on-board first-time technology users in India, the PCs have emerged as the preferred interface for content creation, skill development and accessing information related to government, education, healthcare and employment.

The report, which was prepared by Kantar Indian Market Research Bureau and endorsed by Indian School of Business, reiterates that personal computing will be catalytic in India's shift from content consumption to knowledge creation.

The report analyzed the data from Common Services Centers in 11 states where Intel India set up 100 'Unnati Kendras' for PC access and training.

The report was unveiled by Sanjeev Kumar Mittal, Joint Secretary, Department of Electronics and IT; Navin Shenoy, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Client Computing Group, Intel Corporation; and Debjani Ghosh, Vice President, Sales and Marketing Group and Managing Director, Intel South Asia.

"The government has been focused on transforming India through technology and it's encouraging to see how public private collaborations are making an impact in this regard. Intel India has continuously demonstrated its commitment to the Digital India vision," Mittal said.

It is based on Intel India's 'Ek Kadam Unnati Ki Aur' initiative under which the company has collaborated with nearly 20 organizations, across the public and private sector, to build the relevance of personal computing.

Each center is equipped with Intel powered devices, vernacular language content and relevant training programs for local citizens in the state, creating opportunities for skill development and digital empowerment.