AmritaCREATE launched Amrita RITE- Rural India Tablet Education at Batwadi Sonar, a village in the district ofRudraprayag, Uttarakhand on 29 January 2013. Amrita RITE is a unique tablet- based technology programme developed by AmritaCREATE taking into account the learning needs of multi-grade rural students and adults. RITE aims to bring quality education content to learners from rural areas and keep them engrossed in the learning process. The Amrita RITE programme is an important part of Mata Amritanandamayi Math’s relief and rehabilitation project in Uttarakhand and Amrita Self-Reliant Village Programme (Amrita Swasraya Gramam), a programme to adopt 101 villages throughout India.

Brahmachari Premamrita Chaitanya of Mata Amritanandamayi Math (M.A.M), Poonam Pawar, village head (Pradhan) of Batwadi Sonar village, Kalpeswari Sajwan, an Anganwadi teacher from Batwadi Sonar and Sudheer, AmritaCREATE team member, were present for the inaugural event. Forty-two students and twenty-two adults from the Batwadi Sonar villages attended the programme.

Mr. Sudheer, AmritaCREATE team member, welcomed the gathering. He gave a brief introduction of AmritaCREATE and explained the RITE project to the audience. The launch of Amrita RITE project in Uttarakhand was formally inaugurated by handing over a tablet to Smt. Kalpeswari Sajwan, Anganwadi teacher, Batwadi Sonar by a student. Brahmachari Premamrita Chaitanya of Mata Amritanandamayi Math (M.A.M), in his address described the different programmes initiated by the Math in the Uttarakhand relief package.

In the Amrita RITE programme, AmritaCREATE plans to provide tablet based basic education to all Anganwadi and primary children and tuition classes for all school going students. Basic literacy and social awareness programs for all adults in the village will be offered as well. Classes for Anganwadi and primary children are functional from 10AM- 1PM, classes for adults are from 3PM- 4PM and tuition classes for school going students are from 4 PM- 5.30 PM.

The tablet-based learning program is comprised of interactive education applications in language learning, science and mathematics, simulation games, and focuses on value-based education. Bridge literacy courses will be provided as well. Content will also provide awareness education in good health and hygienic practices, along with social and cultural issues.