Reaching the Unreached A Role of ICT in Sustainable Rural Development

— We have seen in last few decades that the progress of information technology with leaps and bounds, which have completely changed the way of life in the developed nations. While internet has changed the established working practice and opened new vistas and provided a platform to connect, this gives the opportunity for collaborative work space that goes beyond the global boundary. ICT promises a fundamental change in all aspects of our Praja are in functioning for rural development. ICT offers an opportunity to introduce new activities, new services and applications into rural areas or to enhance existing services. With more than 70% of the Indian population living in rural areas and earns its live hood by agriculture and allied means of income. ICTs can play a significant role in combating rural and urban poverty and fostering sustainable development through creating information rich societies and supporting livelihoods. If ICTs are appropriately deployed and realize the differential needs of urban and rural people, they can become powerful tools of economic, social and political empowerment. This paper introduces the application of ICT for rural development. The paper aims at improving the delivery of information to rural masses such as: technology information, marketing information, and information advice. This paper focuses digital divide and poverty eradication, good governance and the significance of internet for rural development. The paper concludes that ICTs offer the developing country, the opportunity to look ahead several stages of rural development by the use of internet. Effective use of ICT can demolish geographical boundaries and can bring rural communities closer to global economic systems and be of meaningful help to the underprivileged.