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Gates' dream: Empower kids with Tablet PC

Computer industry Czar Bill Gates said he dreams of empowering every child in the world with a Tablet PC that would facilitate learning in various languages.

The Microsoft chairman also said that Indian institutions are a "model" for the entire world in using financial aid in imparting IT education to the masses.

"The recently launched Tablet PC is costly today but it will be available for a few hundred dollars so my dream is that every growing up child in this world should have this Tablet PC device, preferably his own to connect to the world through the Internet", Gates said in his address at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's Gandhi Institute of Computer Education in Mumbai.

"Basically everything is in place and to increase the usage we need a machine that teaches the students in his or her own language", he said.

Gates, who is on a whistle-stop visit to Mumbai, appreciated India's efforts to make available benefits of computers to the masses.

"Projects like the Gandhi Institute are a model for the entire world and my faith is clearly placed. Such a commitment further drives my philanthrophy", the world's wealthiest man said.

Microsoft has already granted $5 million to Congress MP Murli Deora-promoted Gandhi Institute, which provides free IT education through its 26 centres across the nation.

Microsoft is to launch the Tablet PC, an advanced wireless computing device, in India next month.

Gates said his donation to the Gandhi Institute was one of his first personal commitments towards any education funding.

Recalling his first visit to India, Gates said he was "daunted" by the size of the country and thought that India had a special role to play in development of IT education and software.

"In my third visit, I have witnessed some of my dreams become a reality and projects like the Gandhi Institute come into existence," he said.

Stressing the need for an advanced communication infrastructure in the country, Gates said India had many creative users of the personal computer, promotion of which was critical to the nation's progress.

He lauded the efforts of private companies like Reliance Industries towards setting up infrastructure, thus helping the spread of IT education.

Murli Deora, Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani were at the function.

In his speech, Ambani said that India needed low cost computers, clear connectivity and content without which the country would not be able to walk on the path of progress.

"IT for masses should harness a revolution in India and that it should be taught not only in English but all the native languages", he added.

Deora said with Gates' contribution, the institute would double its centres and so far the institute had trained around 36,000 learners.

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