Vol. II: Shaping Information and Communication ... - IMA,ZLW & IfU

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from several streams. The owner will charge each user for the time spent at the terminal. In
addition, the TARAdhaba will charge a brokerage fee for certain kinds of transactions and
information delivery.
Other revenue sources include the displaying of ads from local businesses and professionals,
downloading educational materials and accessing official information, application forms, etc..
TARAhaat revenues come from the wide range of services it provides to its end-users, the
villagers; its franchises in the form of royalties and service fees; its advertisers; its vendors
and its other business partners, all of whom will benefit by the growing market for the their
products and services made possible by TARAhaat.
Impact
The impact of TARAhaat is likely to be felt on several different levels: family, agriculture,
and youth. For the family this venture provides a window to the world, enabling them to
connect locally to international information, health, matrimonial, and mailing services. For
the farmer benefits are derived through timely information on weather and forecasts,
procurement services, and sales negotiations. For the younger generation benefits accrue
through career counselling, entertainment, and educational and career opportunities.
A winner of the Stockholm Challenge Award TARAhaat expects to cover the bulk of the
country.
Contact Information
URL: http://www.tarahaat.com
2.7 CASE STUDY # 7: The ‘Baatchit’ Project, Haryana State
Background and Context
Baatchit is a Media Lab Asia project led by Jiva Institute that aims to facilitate Information
Access, Communication, Entertainment and Socio-Economic Opportunities [ICEO] within
villages, while promoting traditional heritage and cultural values.
This is a project, small no doubt, but designed and meant to be self-sustaining and replicable
and has been in operation even after the initial funding came to an end. Baatchit stands out
due to its simplicity of approach and sound socio-economic logic. The pilot village 'Tikawali'
selected for the project is situated just 35Kms South of Central New Delhi. Its population of