Tamil Nadu’s latest announcement of ₹2,000 crore for free laptops to college
students under the “Vetri” scheme is déjà vu.
It all started with Jayalalitha promising free laptops to students of Tamil Nadu if
they would vote to power.
Voters responded.
The government began distributing a million laptops to students – every year.
For politicians all over India, this was an eye-opener!
They were quick to realize that it was no more
- Roti, Kapada, Makan
- Sadak, Pani, Bijlee
To win elections, they must promise
- Tablets and Laptops
“RAINING TABLETS AND LAPTOPS” – 27 March 2006
By now, TN Govt has already placed orders for Rs 1300 Crore worth of orders on
Indian Manufacturers for supply of laptops!
And, to fulfill the promise, similar-size orders must be placed every year for the
next 4 years, till the term expires.
Before long, 50 million Indian students will be getting tablets / laptops, every
year!
So, who is the ultimate winner in elections?
Without doubt, the computer manufacturers!
“THE ULTIMATE WINNER” – 9 March 2007
Nineteen years later, the script remains unchanged. Only the rupee numbers have
grown.
In 2023 I had urged the then HRD Minister to consider a far cheaper alternative:
Let Central Government float a global tender for pre-owned desktops (in working
condition and less than 5 years old) for 100 million units (10 crore).
I think we could get for Rs 2500 each (at total cost of Rs 25,000 crore).
“DEAR EDUCATION MINISTERS / HOW TO SALVAGE A GENERATION”
– 24 Nov 2023
Instead, we continue to celebrate hardware distribution as educational reform
while the real questions remain unanswered:
- Will these laptops improve employability?
- Will they reduce dropout rates?
- Or will they simply become another recurring line item in election manifestos?
It is time to move from promising devices to promising outcomes.
With Regards,
Hemen Parekh
www.Iam-Immortal.ai / www.IndiaAGI.ai / www.YourContentCreator.in
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