India’s e-industry takes another step forward when, over the next few days, the work of eight of the best networks, services and applications come up for scrutiny before a grand jury sitting in Dubai that will decide on nominations to the UN World Summit Awards. Though entries came in from 134 countries, the most talked about were from India, whose country expert Osama Manzar is part of the jury. The winners — to be decided by next weekend — will be showcased at the World Summit on Information Society in Geneva from December 10-15.

CATEGORY: E-learning NOMINEE: Totaliteracy (Tata Consultancy Service) WHAT IS IT: Multimedia tool using animation and flash cards that makes adults literate in 40 hours instead of the normal 1-2 years. Works with state and Central governments. CATEGORY: E-Governance NOMINEE: E-seva project in Andhra Pradesh in 1998 WHAT IS IT: Every taluka in state to be connected with broadband fibre optic to secretariat in Hyderabad. Used for video conferencing, voice and e-mail in administration, education and health care for the 25 district headquarters already. CATEGORY: E-Biz NOMINEE: ITC’s kiosk-based E-chaupals WHAT IS IT: Meant to transport information, produce and services to and from the farmers. Biggest e-venture of the private sector in the rural heartland, it gives realtime prices and latest weather information for farmers. Six E-chaupals added every day. CATEGORY: E-Culture NOMINEE: NIIT’s Hole-in-the-Wall WHAT IS IT: The first TV-like screen appeared in New Delhi in a slum area in 1999. Soon, semi-literate children were able to operate them with the help of touchscreens. Called the ‘minimum invasive’ method, these have been able to teach children to operate computers within a day CATEGORY: E-Science NOMINEE: Simputer (IISc, Bangalore and Encore Software) WHAT IS IT: Low-cost potable alternatives to PCs. Based on principles of sight, touch and audio and priced at Rs 9,000. Can be shared by the community. Typical uses include micro banking, large data collection and agriculture information. CATEGORY: E-Health NOMINEE: TeleDoc programme (Jiva Ayurveda) WHAT IS IT: Offers fast, economical and effective healthcare using mobile phones to remote area. Phone is with village representative, who feeds in patient’s data which is relayed to panel of doctors in Jiva, a Faridabad NGO. They diagnose and despatch the medicines. CATEGORY: E-Entertainment NOMINEE: Contest2win WHAT IS IT: Has the largest number of interactive entertainment contests in a single window. Credits are accumulated and can be redeemed for prizes. Cuts down on the ‘cut and post’ method and can be accessed by users nationally and internationally. CATEGORY: E-Inclusion NOMINEE: N-log (IIT Chennai) WHAT IS IT: Brings telecom penetration at geometric speed to villages via wireless towers. Offers surfing facility, agriculture-related data and locally-relevant information to areas without telephone towers.