New Delhi: Rural India is set to undergo a technological revolution, thanks to “knowledge centres” that will be set up in villages to provide information on a variety of issues via satellite and computers.

On a pilot basis, around 8,000 villages will get the knowledge centres as part of Mission 2007, a Union government project.

The roadmap for the programme will be prepared at the convention of the National Alliance for Mission 2007, slated to be held at the Indira Gandhi National Open University (Ignou), here, during 1-3 August.

“This project involves many organizations, including M.S. Swaminathan Foundation, Isro, Nasscom and Ignou. It is a collaborative effort to arm the rural population with the information they need,” Ignou vice-chancellor V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai told PTI.

The project envisages creating knowledge centres in villages to provide information to people on various issues, including agriculture, other sources of livelihood, education, market trends and health.

The information will be provided through satellite, and Indian Space Research Organization (Isro) will render its services in this regard.

“A concrete strategy for the next five years will be devised for the project, which aims at enhancing the prosperity of people. Ignou will be involved in capacity-building of the people,” Pillai said.

Mission 2007, headed by noted scientist M.S. Swaminathan, will be a national platform for extending knowledge connectivity to rural India.