NKC suggests knowledge electronic network

BANGALORE: The National Knowledge Commission has suggested that the Indian government set up a national knowledge electronic network with 1 GB bandwidth touching 5,000 locations. This network will use the existing optic fibre cable network in the country to connect libraries, laboratories, research & development centres across the country.

���We had asked the planning commission for Rs 1000 crore to implement this initiative. We were assigned Rs 100 crore. However, we have still decided to start our work,��� said Sam Pitroda, chairman, National Knowledge Commission (NKC). Among the recommendations of the National Knowledge Commission is a hike in fees for higher education. ���India is the only place where they students pay very low fees for higher education. There is definitely a potential to increase this. So may Indians go abroad to study. Having said that, poor students should not be discriminated just because of the high,��� said Mr Pitroda.

To tackle the problem of lack of good teachers, Mr Pitroda feels that portals for teachers should be formed, which could enable further interaction. ���After IT and telecom, it will be the knowledge revolution that could hit the country in the next ten years.��� he said.

Speaking on the telecom sector, Mr Pitroda who lead the early telecom revolution in the country, said that if India focussed on telecom manufacturing, more gains could be reaped out of the current revolution that the country is witnessing. ���There should be more focus on rural penetration and more practical applications of mobile phones.��� Mr Pitroda added. However, Mr Pitroda refused to comment on the alleged differences he had with the other team members of NKC.