With the aim to make Kannadi a special grade, 100 percent e-literacy, panchayat, a corresponding training program was organized by the Department of Social Work, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore Campus with the support of P. N. Panicker Foundation as well as the Central and State Government.

“Many inequalities still exist in society. We have the right to information, but there are people who are not conscious of their rights. To raise awareness, e-literacy is essential. Our students get a chance to be part of this most innovative plan”, stated Dr. Priya K. R., Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore Campus. She is also the coordinator of the training program.

In a first step Amrita social work students, along with literacy trainers and members of the Amrita fraternity take turns in visiting the beneficiaries at their work locations. The target group consists of daily wage laborers as well as farmers and people living below the poverty line, from all age groups.

The plan is to make Kannadi a model village, in order to replicate the model in other places, with the involvement of more students.

“On site, we teach them with tablet phones. Afterwards, they will be taken to classrooms to complete the course. The training renders help for self-help. The target is to conclude the program in nine months and reach 15,000 residents”, shared Dr. Priya.

Kannadi Village, situated in Kerala’s Palakkad district, was formed as a Panchayat in the year 1963 covering an area of 19.80 square meters. Agriculture is the main source of income. In addition to the Bharatha Puzha, Kerala’s second largest river, it is gifted with more than 20 ponds and lakes. According to the 2001 census, it has 19576 habitants. The total literacy rate of the Panchayat is 86.88%.

An inauguration ceremony was held at the Kannadi Community Hall, on September 3, 2013, in the presence of Mr. Shaffi Parambil M. L. A. He extended his whole hearted support for the program and outlined the importance of computers in daily life.

“Learning computer skills is just like learning to swim. You can’t learn swimming until you become wet. Likewise, once you start using the computer, learning happens spontaneously”, said Dr. Chandrasekaran M. P., Dean, Amrita School of Engineering, Coimbatore Campus addressing the assembled gathering.

“The entire Kannadi village is grateful to Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham for starting such an innovative event in this village and also thankful to P. N. Panicker foundation for founding the program,”said Ms Priya K. Muralidharan, Panchayat President in her opening address.

The camp is part of the Kerala wide Sampoorna E-Saksharatha campaign launched by the P. N. Panicker Foundation. Its mission is to provide computer literacy for 100 villages within 33 months.

We salute their commitment and endless service to the society and wish them success in their noble mission.

September 12, 2013
Department of Social Work, Coimbatore