Indian Prime Minister to Give Free Mobile Phones to Poor Families

As technology continue to widen the gap between the haves and the have-nots, several sectors attempt to use technology to bridge the gap. The government of India, led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, plans to provide one mobile phone to “every family living below the poverty line” at no cost on the family’s part.

The Prime Minister is expected to formally announced the “Har Hath Mein Phone” scheme, with a Rs 7,000 crore (US$ 1.27 billion) funding, as early as August 15. The plan would help over 6 million families in the subcontinent, most of which do not have substantial means of communication.

And why free mobile phones, you ask? Providing mobile devices would help poor families–especially in rural areas–reach out to the nearest hospital (and by near, we mean at least 10 kilometers) or to facilitate easier ways to trade goods.

Source: Times of India, via Engadget
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