Hughes launches Bharat Saksham Yatra

Hughes Communications Ltd, one of the leading providers of broadband satellite networks and services in India, along with Microsoft, today rolled out the first phase of the Bharat Saksham Yatra from Jaipur.

A pan India initiative, the yatra will cover 300 villages in Rajasthan, Nasik and Sangli districts in Maharashtra.

The objective of the yatra is to familiarise and enthuse village communities about the benefits of ICT for socio economic empowerment, leveraging rural IT entrepreneurship opportunities.

The yatra is expected to serve as a catalyst to drive franchisee opportunities for rural masses to set up IT kiosks or "Sangam Net Kendras" providing new revenue streams to kiosk owners and villagers.

The kendras will offer a host of services in regional languages including agri prices, mandi rates, weather forecasts and animal husbandry programs along with other broadband services ranging from online education, Internet access, mobile prepaid top ups to international voice calling.

The 30 day yatra, will make its first stop at Alwar on April 4.

Speaking on the occasion Pranav Roach, President, Hughes Network Systems, India said: "Bharat Saksham Yatra is the crystallisation of our commitment with Microsoft to roll out 5,000 ICT kiosks announced late last year."

He said "The Sangam Net Kendras are aimed to bring Bharat closer to India with content and applications customized to the needs of the rural market."

"In addition, the Sangam Net Kendra's will help in the creation of over 15,000 jobs and self-employment opportunities thus opening up new streams of revenue and wealth creation for people," he said.