Beyond e-Literacy

Going forward, Akshaya seeks to provide an even wider umbrella of services, in the expectation that Kerala will have at least five computers per village with minimum connectivity band of 256 MB. The infrastructure is in place; all it needs now is better utilization for citizenry.

Akshaya is ready to offer services, including an agriculture information system that provides a framework to connect farmers with public research institutions to share technical information and knowledge. Health data is also available to locals through dedicated kiosks.

Advanced computer courses on CDs for students from classes I to X, and resource CDs of IT@School programs are also becoming available at the e-kendras. In addition, there are counseling opportunities related to job and career prospects. Resource CDs on four major subjects - health, agriculture, education, acts/rules- in Malayalam are available at the e-kendras. As a second level to the basic computer education that the e-Kendra provides, the Computer Society of India issues merit certificates that are recognized by the Kerala government.

In addition to basic computers, there are courses for willing students in garment making and toy manufacture in association with the National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad. This is aimed at providing self-employment opportunities to local women.

The e-learning project in a literate state like Kerala has brought definitive change in the way governance works, and Akshaya has a lot of momentum in its favor. Malappuram has at least one computer literate person in every home.

This offers a ripe opportunity to see how much difference IT can make in the lives of society, if used in a proper governance context. "In my view, I can make this facility indispensable for society. IT has ensured that they get all services here, including consumer goods," notes entrepreneur Sethumadhavan.

"Akshaya has become a nodal center for development of our people's standard of living," he adds. Advanced online learning for employment like medical transcription will start soon at Sethumadhavan's center. "I can make my village one of the first digital villages, and assure speedy and transparent services from government offices. A first step that I intend to take is to create a local body portal for our people," he says.

It is such enthusiasm among entrepreneurs that could ensure the efficacy of e-govern projects. After all, IT is merely an enabler of lofty ambitions.