The Hindu Business Line : `Internet to Masses' to be launched in Malappuram dist

AKSHAYA, the e-learning and enterprise initiative of the State Government, will roll out `Internet to Masses,'a new venture, in Malappuram district on Thursday.

The Chief Minister, Mr Oommen Chandy, will formally launch the programme at a function where the Golden NICA Award received by Akshaya will be dedicated to the district of Malappuram.

Local bodies, with support from the Kerala State IT Mission, will implement Internet to Masses, which aims to provide comprehensive training to an estimated one lakh people on the Internet, an official spokesman said here. Selected candidates will be given training through the Akshaya e-Kendras in the district.

Malappuram was chosen for the roll out in view of the robust infrastructure developed there for the pioneering Akshaya project. At present, 400 Akshaya e-Kendras in the district have broadband Internet connectivity. On an average, 10 GB data is downloaded through this on a monthly basis.

In the first phase of Akshaya, 5.8 lakh people were given computer training in the district. It is now in the process of being rolled out to seven more districts in the State. The Internet to Masses project envisages providing 10-hour Internet training to each person selected. The State Government will contribute Rs 100, while the trainee's share will be Rs 40. The project provides comprehensive training on e-mail, chat and other aspects of the Internet.

The local self-government institutions have been entrusted with the task of selecting the beneficiaries. One person from a family will be trained under the project with at least 1,000 persons from a panchayat expectedly benefiting from the venture. Each trainee will be given a free e-mail account.

The Akshaya project was launched in Malappuram by the President, Mr A.P.J Abdul Kalam, in November 2002.

The e-literacy programme was followed by many computer courses, and thousands of people have availed themselves of these facilities.

At present, more than 150 Akshaya Kendras in the districts handle e- payment facility. Collections at these centres have amounted to Rs 3 crore in electricity and telephone bill payments.

Malappuram has the largest concentration of non-residents in the State and has extensively taken to e-mail and chatting.

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