ISAS Insights

This chapter examines the factors associated with the diffusion of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in rural areas, and in doing so it looks at the potential role that ICTs can play in the development of rural areas. Empirical support for the chapter is based on field studies conducted in July-August 2004 in two rural locations in two South Indian states-Kuppam in Andhra Pradesh and Malappuram in Kerala. Various projects and programmes to use ICTs for enhancing developmental opportunities are going on in both locations. A major conclusion of this chapter is that ICTs can play a potent role in rural development, but only if the basic obstacles to rural prosperity are removed through radical changes - through land reforms, revitalisation of rural credit, and greater state intervention in rural infrastructure, and primary education.