Obama holds video conference with Kanpura villagers

MUMBAI: US President Barack Obama today got first hand account of how IT has revolutionised life in rural India, when villagers of Kanpura near Ajmer interacted with him in Mumbai through video conference.

After a short introduction by National Knowledge Commission chairman Sam Pitroda, Obama spoke to the villagers who shared the benefits of broadband penetration - from online medical consultation, education and local e-governance.

The President expressed happiness about the progress being made with the aide of IT.

The villagers interaction was coordinated by Union Minister of State for Communications and IT Sachin Pilot, who said IT was not just about exporting services, but was also about changing lifestyle of rural India.

Much of what the President said could, however, not be heard because of poor audio quality.

India expects to achieve broadband penetration in all panchayats by 2012. Broadband spectrum was auctioned earlier this year and the network roll-out is currently underway.