The Hindu : Kerala News : The joy of getting familiar with the e-world

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 26, 2007
ePaper

Kerala

Kerala

The joy of getting familiar with the e-world

Not so long ago Kalavathy, 65, shared with the younger lots from her community the joy of getting a good catch and the intricate skill of peeling shrimps. But these days her talks often invoke terms such as Internet and e-mail, as she bemuses many a listener.

Hailing from a traditional fishing community in Pallipuram village in Ernakulam district, Kalavathy was among the first to become e-literate through the Akshaya project, which was launched in this coastal belt.

Akshaya initiative

Two centres of Akshaya operated in the beach targeting predominantly the fisher folks.P.R. Saljith, the entrepreneur who ran both the centres, said that the venture was an unqualified success as it enthused the community beyond expectations. At least one member of 500-odd fishing families in the region was covered under the project, he said. “The response was great as members of the community came in large numbers, especially the aged women,” he said.

Most of those who underwent training had to quit school before Class X. As the males of the community were more focused on livelihood concerns their participation was understandably less. “However, they were liberal in encouraging their spouses without which many of them would not have been able to come,” Mr. Saljith said. Learning became a joy during the holidays as children accompanied their mothers and grandmothers to the centre.

M. P. Praveen

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Kerala

News Update

Stories in this Section