The Hindu : Front Page : Tsunami-hit villages in Pudukottai, Thanjavur to get Internet connectivity

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Tuesday, Dec 26, 2006
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Tsunami-hit villages in Pudukottai, Thanjavur to get Internet connectivity

M. Balaganessin

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PUDUKOTTAI: A dozen village information centres functioning in the tsunami-hit coastal villages of Pudukottai and Thanjavur districts will get Internet connectivity on December 26, coinciding with the second anniversary of the tragedy.

The Novib Netherlands, the Netherlands-based organisation for international cooperation, has sanctioned a sum of Rs.2 lakh to each of the centre to provide the infrastructure that includes a computer and a wireless tower for the network under its `information and communication technology for poor' project.

The centres were set up by the Dhan Foundation, Pattukottai, at Keezha Kudiyiruppu, Pudhukudi, Kottaipattinam, Ayyanpattinam, Meemisal, R. Pudupattinam and Muthukudi, in Pudukottai district and Maavakadu, Eripurakarai, Mallipattinam, Sedubavachathiram and Somanathanpattinam, in Thanjavur district.

The Project Executive of the Foundation, G. Satishkumar, told The Hindu here on Sunday that apart from the Internet facility, the fishermen would also have access to video conferencing, weather reports, local market network on fishing trade in these villages.

"Each centre will be given about six global positioning system (GPS) equipment for assisting fishermen adopting the conventional method of fishing," he said.

Using the GPS, a fisherman would be able to locate the net left by him in the waters to catch fish a few days earlier. "Although experienced fishermen will be able to locate the net, it will not be an easy job for young traders. The GPS will help the fishermen identify the spot accurately, through the details of the latitude and longitude", he explained.

The facilities will be launched at the villages simultaneously at 3 p.m. on Tuesday.

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