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Business -> Services
Marketed under the brand name ‘Chiraag’, which means enlightenment,
n-Logue has developed several services that provide benefits to rural
areas while also contributing to the kiosks sustainability. In addition,
the company invites others to provide Internet applications and content
relevant to small towns and rural areas. n-Logue facilitates the content's
distribution, and also work out partnerships with content developers so
that Internet usage in these markets grows. The LSP also assists with
tools to provide content that is locally sourced to make the operation
more relevant to its customers. Through these arrangments, several services
have already been developed and deployed.
Chiraag Computer Education
All Chiraag computer education courses include online exercises and practice
sessions, tests and additional lessons.
Blue Book
Designed for children 6-9 years old, this 6-day self-paced learning course
introduces the computer to the children, making them aware of all the
interesting things that can be done with it. Blue Plus, a 26-day version
of the course that includes more details and practice sessions, is also
available.
Green Book
Green Book is a 10-day course for students aged 10-17 years old. It teaches
the basics of Internet browsing and email use, and familiarizes the student
with applications such as CK Shakti, a local language office suite. Like
Blue Book, a Green Plus version is also available. The course is a 26-day
Internet-intensive version of the original.
Red Book
Red Book is the most comprehensive Chiraag computer training available.
The 2-month self-paced course focuses on teaching the intricacies of the
CK Shakti office suite, and is meant for those age 17 and older who are
interested in enhancing their job skills or improving their businesses.
Other Education
English Early Reader
A 10-day English workshop to teach children to read and write frequently
used words in English. The course covers more than 100 words, and supports
school curriculum.
Online Testing Tutorial
The 10-month course is aimed at 9th and 10th grade students wishing to
improve their English Grammar, in preparation for higher education exams.
Topper CD
The educational CDs provide coaching in Match, Physics and Chemistry for
engineering and junior college entrance exams. The self-paced tutorials
contain self-tests and 8500 sample questions and answers.
Online Photoshop Tutorial
The online course teaches computer graphic skills to those interested
in working for a digital studio or printing house. It is also used by
the kiosk operators to hone their own photo studio skills.
iSee
The software is a multiparty video conferencing application developed
by the collaborative efforts of TeNet group and Oops Pvt. Ltd. The software
was developed specifically keeping in mind the requirements and communication
needs of rural areas. It enables users to do real-time sessions in different
locations at the same time, irrespective of time and distance. The software
is only ½ MB in size, takes less than two minutes to download,
and works reliably on low bandwidth networks with speeds as low as 12
kbps. iSee has been used to allow doctors to remotely consult with patients,
government officials to interact with their constituents, and villagers
to chat online with popular TV stars. For more information click here.
Health
n-Logue has established several partnerships with area doctors and hospitals
to provide health expertise in remote areas. Using the kiosk's Web camera,
villagers can send pictures for diagnosis or conduct live videoconferencing
consultations with health professionals. One such partner is the Aravind
Eye Hospital, an organization that has built its reputation on providing
free or low-cost eye care to thousands in India. Patients are able to
receive a preliminary diagnosis without leaving their village, and if
further treatment is required, they are directed to the nearest Aravind
hospital or free eye camp. A Web portal, WebHealthCenter.com, is also
accessed through the kiosks. The site has developed several local language
interfaces for n-Logue’s kiosks.
Agriculture
n-Logue has also established regional partnerships that provide agricultural
services to farmers. Solution providers, such as the Tamil Nadu Agricultural
College and Research Institute, provide expert advice on better farming
techniques and solutions to crop and animal diseases via email and videoconferencing.
Sales of tractors and spare parts through the kiosks have been made possible
through partnerships with farm equipment manufacturing companies. In areas
where many people own farm animals and pets but have no access to veterinarians,
some kiosks are also providing online veterinary advice for livestock.
Agricultural portals used by kiosks to find weather information, crop
prices, and best-practice farming techniques include JFarmindia.com, kvbaramati.com,
krishiworld.com, agriwatch.com. Potential future agricultural services
include soil testing, online farming “schools”, an early warning
system on disease outbreaks, and long-term predictions on crop prices,
demand, and rainfall.
Email and Web Browsing
Browsing, email, voice mail, video mail, chat and video chat are available
at all of n-Logue’s kiosks.
E-governance
Kiosks provide access to government portals that contain online forms
and applications for documents such as birth and death certificates. In
Karnataka, Chiraag kiosks are tied to the state’s Bhoomi database,
allowing access to all land records in the state. n-Logue has also organized
videoconferencing sessions between village kiosks and local government
officials. The service has been popular with both villagers, who see their
concerns addressed more efficiently, and government officials, who are
able to get first-hand information from their constituents.
Chiraag Bio-Data Maker
The Chiraag Bio-Data Maker is a bilingual online program designed to make
a professional resume and cover letter. The job-seeker provides the answers
to predefined questions, and the software generates the final product
which can then updated with new information, or formatted to the user’s
preferences.
Chiraag Children's Center
Many kiosks also function as Chiraag Children's Centers (CCC). For a nominal
membership fee, children can come to the kiosk for three hours on Sunday
morning to participate in activities that include: reading and math, games,
colouring, listening to and recording songs, chatting online and sending
email, watching movies, and using iSee software to chat with people from
other villages. On weekdays, the children can also come twice a month
and use the kiosk for an hour doing any online or offline activity. Through
the addition of donated or purchased books, several of the Children's
Centres have also become village libraries for the children.
Astrology
Through its parternship with Astrovision.com, villagers can receive personalized
astrological predictions and horoscope charts. Matrimonial services are
also available.
Offline Services
Kiosks also offer a variety of offline services. DTP (desktop publishing)
is the most popular, followed by offline computer education, such as Mouse
and PC Tutor. Chennai Kavigal has developed CK Shakti, a local language
office suite that includes a word processor, spreadsheet, presentation
software, an email client and browser. For entertainment, villagers can
also use the computers to watch movies, listen to music or play video
games.
Chiraag Photo Studio
Digital photographs can be taken and touched up at the kiosk. These are
frequently used for government documents, such as passport applications.