NASSCOM Foundation launches the BiG Tech program
Technology Assistance for Non-profits

NASSCOM Foundation ( www.nasscomfoundation.org)
has launched a BiG Tech  (www.bigtech.in), a technology assistance
program for non-profits and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

BiG Tech is a platform that facilitates the distribution of software products donated by corporate partners.

BiG Tech is a NASSCOM Foundation (NF) initiative in partnership with TechSoup
( www.techsoup.org), a San Francisco-based non-profit technology capacity building
organisation.

 NF is the principal TechSoup partner in India, and is well positioned for
successful outreach to build ICT capacities at the grassroots given its association with the
IT industry and links with civil society in India.

NF with its national presence has the ability to build and deliver a world class program.
NGOs play an increasingly important role in citizen welfare services. In addition to
increasingly complex social issues, these organizations face shrinking fund sources and a
growing demand for transparency, all of which can be addressed by the efficient use of IT
applications. IT can help ensure better funds accountability, efficient management
systems and ultimately greater on-the-ground impact.

Speaking at the launch event of BiG Tech, Mr. Saurabh Srivastava, Chairman
NASSCOM Foundation said, "Technology, in our 'flattened world', can help NGOs
create regional, national and even global awareness about their activities. This heightened awareness can, in turn, lead to a rise in public attention, interest, and action on behalf of causes.

One of the barriers to technology for NGOs is affordability of technology
products. BiG Tech, NF's new online donation program, is perfectly suited to address this issue of access to affordable technology, which is the most critical spoke in the wheel". Mr. Kiran Karnik, President NASSCOM, said, "The benefits of ICT for social
development need no elaboration. While the civil society and governments are playing
their role, corporates, especially IT companies need to get involved proactively by
similarly participating in such donation programs".

"NASSCOM and NF have been encouraging the IT industry to use ICT - their core
strength, for societal development through their corporate social responsibility (CSR)
activities. The BiG Tech program, launched  is ideally suited to link such CSR
activities", Mr. Karnik added.

Mr. Mike Yeaton, Global Director - TechSoup, speaks about TechSoup and NF:
"TechSoup is very excited to be partnering with NF for their BiG Tech program. India is
extremely important to this program for several reasons. First and Foremost, the
opportunity to serve NGOs and civil society is immense. Second we want to reach out
and encourage India's booming IT industy to deliver new offerings to NGOs worldwide.
Finally we can partner together to deliver innovative ways to reach underserved
communities at the grassroots level, lessons which can be applied globally".

BiG Tech is made possible by generous donations from software producers; Microsoft( www.microsoft.com ) is the first donor for BiG Tech. Microsoft has a long history of combining innovative technology, partnerships, and programs to create economic,
educational, and social opportunities in local communities worldwide, and to help foster a
more secure computing experience for people everywhere.

Ms. Neelam Dhawan, Managing Director, Microsoft India, said, "Microsoft India is
happy to be a part of NF's BiG Tech program and to be its first corporate donor in India.
Microsoft is already partnering with TechSoup globally and the response has been
tremendously satisfying. We are sure that with NF at the helm, BiG Tech will be equally
successful in India."

About the alliance
NASSCOM Foundation is the principal TechSoup partner in India, and is very well
positioned for successful outreach given its association with the IT industry and links
with civil society in India. Like TechSoup, NF is committed to building ICT capacities at
the grassroots, has a national presence and the capacity to build and deliver a world class
program.

About NASSCOM Foundation

NASSCOM Foundation (NF) is a trust registered under the Indian Trust Act 1882. It was
registered in the year 2001. NF's vision is to leverage information and communication
technologies (ICT) to empower and transform the lives of the under-served. NASSCOM
and its members are committed to social development through the application of ICT. NF
today has the unique opportunity of leading the IT Industry towards changing the social
development landscape of India. NF is the CSR arm of NASSCOM (National
Association of Software and Service Companies), the internationally recognized trade
body of the Indian IT industry.

NF has two cross-cutting functional areas – ICT for development (ICT for D) and
corporate social responsibility (CSR) within the IT industry.
• NF is engaged in a number of initiatives in ICT for D, which are multifaceted yet
intensive and leverage on the power of partnerships. NF plays the role of a catalyst in
bringing together implementing agencies, industry, government bodies and people at
the grassroots for integrated development boosted through the use of ICT.
• NF intends to become a catalyst, encouraging members to do more, capturing best
practices, and promoting and assisting their replication.

About TechSoup

Founded in 1987 as CompuMentor, TechSoup is one of the most comprehensive
nonprofit technology assistance providers in the world, employing a staff of 150 and
deploying a budget of over $18 million. It conducts a range of major programs on the
international, national, and the local level. These include the nonprofit technology Web
site TechSoup (www.techsoup.org) and its distribution service for technology product
donations, TechSoup Stock ( www.techsoup.org/stock ). The global TechSoup donation
program is aimed at building NGO capacity worldwide. It engages a broad network of
international partner nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to manage global
technology product donation programs for Cisco Systems, Microsoft, Symantec and 20
other donors. Their program spans Europe, Africa, Australia and now India. The program
is expected to serve about 25 countries and distribute product donations with a fair
market value of $55 million in the countries outside the U.S. in Fiscal Year 2008.

TechSoup's other programs that empower nonprofits on a global level include the
NetSquared ( www.netsquared.org) initiative to help nonprofits worldwide use new
Internet-based tools such as blogging and podcasting to extend their reach and impact.

For further information please contact:
Meera Tenguria
Aarohan Communications
(NF Press Office)
Mobile: 09821156976
Email: pr@aarohancommnunications.com
Deepakshi Jha Sinha
NASSCOM
Tel: 09899096202
Email: deepakshi@nasscom.in