Bhagirath- Server for the IT Hub in each cluster

"Bhagirath" is supposed to have brought the water of Ganges from it's Heavenly abode in Himalaya Mountains to the Indian planes which transformed the region in agro-economic-political sense . The Bhagirath server is named after this legend to signify the similar change to be brought about in each cluster through introduction of working flow of Information and knowledge through a proposed IT HUB .

What is IT HUB ?

IT HUB will be like a central HUB of wheel which acts as meeting point for all peripheral activities of development such as skills development, financial planning for proposed projects, Project management , IT enabled services such as health, education, banking, landscaping and architectural design , marketing , infotainment . The Bhagirath server will act as main repository of all digital content for both software and data to power all above activities as well as store all data generated through such activities carefully .

How IT HUB will be used ?

IT HUB will train local youth to operate various computer based applications hosted on the Bhagirath server through a low cost computer or web appliance connected through local area network with either Ethernet cables of Wireless connection and assist in use of the IT Enabled services . These coordinators will be change agents who will assist to initiate various programs and projects as part of Cluster development . As they will be self employed they will be motivated to promote their services in well identified area and generate revenue by giving benefit of the services in measurable terms .

What type of services will be given through this IT HUB ?

For example Health service agent will actually serve as IT enabled grass root level health worker and take care of various health programs for women, children and also operate public health programs. The revenue will come from government departments, NGOs and eventually subscribers from local community when they see the benefit for themselves from the services. IT enabling part will be to give all required knowledge base as reference , provide management structure to manage the health related data of the members through appropriate application software , provide content for public education in health matters. Services in other areas such as agriculture and education will be similarly enabled through IT HUB .

How will IT HUB get all required Content ?

Lot of useful data is being generated in form of web pages, digital maps, data bases, open source and commercial applications, images, multimedia programs , wikipedia type knowledge banks . Selected information content and software applications will be collected , bought , licensed or created to be stored in the Bhagirath Server . The updates will be regularly provided in form of DVD or online wherever there is broadband connection available for IT HUB. All content will be examined for it's value , tested in pilot environment and documented for it's application / deployment before it is included as part of Bhagirath server .

How will Bhagirath server be configured and managed as a system ?

Bhagirath server will be initially preloaded with essential software components such as operating system, drivers for devices , data base application, web server application, search engine , email server and management console for system level maintenance. Exact configuration of Bhagirath will be designed and upgraded as we learn about the needs for the IT HUB server capability and new versions may be made with compatibility ensured for existing setups.

Training will be given to system administrators to do local configuration such as user account management, back up and restore procedure, power management and start uo and shutdown procedure, communication and networking management functions and security . Trained systems administrators will also act as IT HUB central services coordinators . This work may be managed by local agencies at each Taluka level so that one person can manage 5 to 10 such IT HUBS in the local area if adequate manpower is not available at cluster level to start with.

How can IT HUB started and What would be the costs?

Bhagirath server will be made available as open source design for community deployment by Science & Technology Park at Pune University . Some of the content and software may require subscription charges/ license costs depending on the source of these components . Science & Technology Park will provide options for purchase of such components at centrally negotiated prices for community use. Training will be given for system administrators and IT Services operators by Konkan Corridor Project at central training center in various regions through Science & Technology Park. Contact Science & Technology Park, Pune or Mr.Ashok Saraf at saraf.ashok@gmail.com or 919890905752 for more details at any time . It is expected that pre-loaded Bhagirath Servers would be available in the range of Rs.11000 and above depending on the server configuration to start IT HUB . Besides the Bhagirath Server, host institution or individual will have to invest in power back up system, network and thin client computers for service providers. Low cost solutions will be made available in association with partners for all such hardware resources.



Who can start and operate IT HUB in any cluster ?

Any private individual or organization , Non Governmental Organization ( NGO ), Community group such as local grampanchayat or Cooperative Society , Educational Institution or Government Department willing to participate in Konkan Corridor Project can set up and operate IT HUB for benefit of local cluster . Leadership Council for local cluster development if formed in the cluster can be consulted for feasibility of such operations . IT HUB will be main resource center for the local region and hence host organization should be well aware of the concept of the cluster development . The training and awareness camps can be organized for such group by Konkan Corridor Project.


What would be expected revenue and return on investment ?

IT HUB will earn it's revenue mainly from training of the service providers and share in the revenue of services rendered by them . Small IT HUB with minimum investment and 5 to 10 associated service providers can expect to get return of initial investment through training and continue to earn about 10000Rs per month through services . Each service agent will also earn about 5 to 10000 Rs. per month , after deducting the operating costs for power, subscription for the software / services and maintenance .


What would be additional ICT resources at IT HUB ?

IT HUB could also provide intranet connectivity to server through switch and Ethernet cable in nearby area and through Wireless radio access point and tower in the radius of 1.5 to 5 KM to extend the reach of online services model. The online services may be for e-learning, test and certification for skills development program, and for data management for local projects and growing organizations . Hence as additional resource, network devices such as switches, hubs, cables, wireless access points and towers with antenna and associated power supply systems can be provided .



Can you summarize the proposed IT HUB concept ?

IT HUB is computer center for local use in a typical development cluster which will train and support the IT services agents in rural area to act as change agents or coordinators for various development projects. Such IT HUB will be designed to be economically sustainable and growing to match the needs in the specific cluster area.