POLITICS, CULTURE AND SOFTWARE

Whether, how and when localisation of computer software to Indian lang uages is accomplished, and for whom, are obviously crucial factors in determining whether the information age widens the gaps that currently exist in India - and everywhere else - between rich and poor, powerfu l and powerless. If English were to remain the only easily available I ndian language for computer use and if we make the reasonable assumpti on that access to computers (and to computer-based electronic communic ations) is empowering, then 95 per rent of the Indian people who do no t know good enough English for computer use will automatically be dise mpowered. Existing gaps will grow.