Total Computer Literacy in Three Years |
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KADAMPUZHA (MALAPPURAM DIST.) MAY 22. The
Chief Minister, A.K. Antony, has said that the State would be made 100
per cent computer literate within three years.
Inaugurating the 552-e-centres being set up in the district as
part of Akshaya, a programme to bridge the digital divide, here today,
Mr. Antony
Referring to the adaptability of Keralites to new technology,
Mr. Antony said the people here were ready to identify themselves with
matters that augured well for the State.
Mr. Antony pointed out that the district was backward in the
first phase of education growth witnessed in the State. “However, it
has got a chance to be in the first position, not only in Kerala but
in the entire country as well, in the second education revolution (to
make the public e-literate). The Akshaya project is being implemented
on a pilot basis in two districts—in Malappuram and
Thiruvananthapuram. As per reports read out here, the district is well
ahead of Thiruvananthapuram in the implementation of the project.” Referring to the demand for turning Akshaya e-centres into `Friends’,
collecting point of Government department bills and other taxes from
the public, she said that `Friends’ was a novel project. “The
London School of Economics has selected `Friends’ project as a case
study.” She said the Akshaya project would be replicated throughout
the State based on the experiences in the district.
The Minister for Local Self-Government, Cherkalam Abdulla, inaugurated
the people’s computer syllabus. The education Minister, Nalakath
Soopy Public Works Minister, M.K. Muneer, M.P. Abdu Samadani, MP, and
others spoke.
Earlier, the Chief Minister visited the Akshaya e-centre at
Karekkad, near here.
The Akshaya project aims at bringing home the benefits of
Information Technology. One person each from every family in the State
will be given training in the basic use of computer and they would be
empowered to access relevant e-content in the regional language.
The project is implemented through information dissemination
hubs called Akshaya e-centres across the State. A total of 552 Akshaya
e-centres formally started functioning in Malappuram district today.
The Setting up of the centers itself is aimed at encouraging
private entrepreneurs. Each center needs three to four trainers. Thus,
the 552 centres would generate about 3,000 jobs and investment worth
Rs. 30 crores.
These centers would provide services, like data-entry, Desk Top
Publishing (DTP), computer training and internet telephony. It would
also provide services related to various government departments,
payment collection, e-commerce, e-courier, audio and video libraries.
The ultimate aim is to set up 9,000 Akshaya e-centres
networking 300 lakh people across 60 lakh households. It is expected
to create over 50,000 job opportunities and attract investments worth
Rs. 5 crores. Best regards, Chetan
Sharma |
