Thaindian News

New Delhi, Aug 31 (IANS) US-based wireless technology services provider Qualcomm has launched a radiophone project in an initiative that seeks to combine community radio with mobile phones for educating children, especially of the migrant population.

“The 3G wireless technology offers new opportunities to dramatically improve learning, particularly among disadvantaged children,” Qualcomm vice-president Shawn A. Covell said.

“The radiophone project, in association with Seasam Workshop India, is a powerful example of how 3G mobile phones and wireless connectivity can help bridge the digital divide and promote social inclusion in India and throughout the world,” she added.

Seasam Workshop India, which spearheads the ‘Galli Galli Sim Sim’ initiative, seeks to bring together technology and community voices to provide access and opportunity to marginalised populations.

The pilot project in Gurgaon has a radio show format, designed to deliver content that can be localised and replicated across community radio stations.

“Initially the ‘Galli Galli Sim Sim’ show will be broadcast on ‘Gurgaon Ki Awaaz Samudayik Radio Station’ to an estimated 30,000 listeners and the entire pilot project will be funded by us,” Sesame Workshop India Trust managing trustee Sashwati Banerjee said.

Under the programme, more than ten families and 30 classrooms in Gurgaon will be provided with 3G mobile phones, speakers and 3G wireless connectivity, enabling listeners to listen to the ‘Galli Galli Sim Sim’ programme.

This pilot also will study the scalability and sustainability of both the radio show format and its increased distribution through the mobile platform, Banerjee said.