As part of efforts to create a massive network of information kiosks in 6 lakh villages in India by August 2007, the National Alliance on Mission 2007, aimed at ushering in ICT-led development in rural India, has outlined its plans to connect 2.4 lakh panchayats in the first phase. "Village Knowledge Centre (VKCs) is one of the essential components for realising our goal of graduating into a knowledge society. I am sure that ultimately the National Alliance will be able to develop a user controlled, owned and managed network which will help to reach the rural population in terms of information, knowledge and skill empowerment.