Is a Tablet Essential?

In one of my classes I generate a discussion about whether access to the internet is an essential part of today's world or merely a "want" or convenience.  Most students tend to settle on the convenience side of the argument, though I have a feeling if you took computers, the internet and their phones away from them for any length of time their thoughts on the topic might change.

I raise the issue in this post because of this news story that describes a $35 tablet computer now being offered by the government in India to help lift those who live in the countryside out of poverty.  This struck me as odd seeing as how the Associated Press reports there are still hundreds of thousands of Indian villagers without basic necessities like electricity and clean water.  While I'm all in favor of providing access to as much information as possible, I guess I'd like to see the government in India help their citizens take care of other basic necessities first.