The government is planning to unveil the improved version of world’s cheapest tablet 'Aakash' soon. Not only this, the new version will be completely indigenous.

Putting to rest all the speculation about its price Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal while addressing the media said that Aakash 2 will be available at the same price and C-DAC and ITI has been entrusted with the task of developing it further. The Aakash tablet is priced at approximately $49 (Rs 2414). 

Without giving the exact time frame for its launch Sibal said that there have been some problems as for the project as big as this, the things are never so smooth. But he made it clear that Datawind -- the manufacturer of the product -- will not be associated with it anymore.

“There have been some hiccups in the way. Remember when you do a project of this nature and when your dream is as big as this, things are never that smooth", he said.  

On the possibility of similar products making it to the market, Sibal said that competition is a welcome sign as the ultimate beneficiaries will be the children. Welcoming competition from market for development of the tablet, he said the ultimate objective is to give a quality product to the children. 

"Ultimately my objective is to get a quality product in the hands of the children. I have set the benchmark, it has changed the mindset of the world, I can tell you that," he said.