If these type of collectiveness and unity is shown in all fields our country would have been a developed one much earlier.
Renuka. Date:25/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/25/stories/2007112559020300.htm Kerala - Kochi e-literacy catches on M.P. Praveen Panchayats make the grade Kunnathunadu to be declared fully e-literate tomorrow 10 more panchayats to achieve the feat by December KOCHI: The e-literacy programme of the Akshaya project has gathered momentum in Ernakulam district, with more and more panchayats turning fully e-literate. After Chengamanad and Pothanikkad, the Kunnathunadu panchayat is now set to become a fully e-literate panchayat. M.M. Monayee, MLA, will make the declaration at a function at the Kunnathunadu panchayat hall on Monday. District Collector A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish will launch the second phase of the Akshaya project the same day. "Ten more panchayats are expected to achieve the feat by next month," K.K. Latheef, District Coordinator, Akshaya Mission, said. The Nedumbassery and Kunnukara panchayats have achieved the target and are awaiting declaration, which is expected early December. The Kadungalloor panchayat is on the verge of accomplishing the fully e-literate status, he said. Akshaya launched the e-literacy programme in Kunnathunadu panchayat in January 2005, with two main centres at Pattimattam and Pallikkara. There were 14 sub-centres, one in each ward. 7,214 households According to the 2001 Census, the project was to cover 7,214 households. "With the assistance of Kudumbasree units, we launched a door-to-door campaign inviting people to join the programme," M.P. Chackochan, entrepreneur of the Pattimattam centre, said. A survey was conducted to find prospective beneficiaries and those already computer-literate. Close to 900 households were found to have at least one e-literate member, K.P. Kuriakose, entrepreneur of the Pallikkara centre, said. A certain percentage of households with people incapable of being trained had to be excluded. Extended reach Local libraries and cultural organisations turned into centres for computer-learning, extending the reach of the programme. This ensured that 5,800 households now have at least one e-literate member. Computers taken on rent and made available by local residents are used for operating sub-centres. "Being a relatively backward area, for the majority of the people at Pattimattam, learning computer was like a dream come true," Mr. Chackochan said. For him, the unforgettable part is training the 90-year-old Mohammed. "I still remember how he worked on the computer with his shivering hands," he said. Women's participation In keeping with the pattern of response to the project across the State, women were the dominant participants in Kunnathunadu as well. At the end of the 10-day training, the trainees used to distribute sweets at the centre. Game-oriented training helps to drive away the apprehension about computer-learning, and people are now eager to learn further, Mr. Chackochan said. To unsubscribe send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in
