Intel on Thursday unveiled a personal computer designed for use in India’s rural areas as part of an initiative to set up 200,000 internet kiosks over the next two years in villages across the country.... Intel’s move follows the recent launch of an almost identical scheme by Microsoft to roll out 50,000 kiosks in villages over the next three years... Both companies have said their rural initiatives are business ventures and not solely philanthropic... India may have built up a formidable reputation as an IT powerhouse, but its rural population remains woefully under-represented in the digital revolution... [Indian IT association] Nasscom president Kiran Karnik said the programmes...were an initial step in bridging the digital divide between India’s rural and urban populations. “I think it’s a great start,” he said. “The real viability will come when they [the PCs] are used for transactions.” [also refers to Wipro Infotech, HCL Infosystems]