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Rotary-Ford Digital Literacy Centre launched at Sembakkam
Posted on: 05/Oct/2012 11:17:21 AM
The Rotary Club of Madras (RCM) has launched the Rotary-Ford Digital Literacy Center, with the aim of providing computer training to the underprivileged, at Sembakkam on Oct 2nd, Gandhi Jayanthi. The Center was launched as part of RCM’s Community Development project at Sembakkam.
RCM, has for the past 20 years, initiated many developmental projects for the poor and weaker sections of the Sembakkam community. At present they run a Playschool for underprivileged children and Tailoring Classes for women. They have also built a Community Hall with Toilets for the benefit of the community. In addition they run yearly programs like Medical Camps, Safety Awareness program, etc.
RCM has launched its new initiative, Digital Literacy Center, based on its interaction and feedback from the community, when it realized there was a huge need and demand among the underprivileged in the community for Computer Literacy Programs. This Center is important because, unlike 10 years back, when digital literacy for the underprivileged was not such a critical necessity, it has now become a basic need, what with even government welfare programs being made available online.
RCM will begin by initially offering training classes for underprivileged homemakers and students. Later on, they plan to offer training programs for members of other disadvantaged sections of society. Ford India has kindly donated 15 computers towards RCM’s Sembakkam project as part of Ford’s Digital Literacy program.
Speaking at the packed Community Hall, located at the Sembakkam Panchayat office premises, Mr M Sivakumar, CEO, ICT Academy of Tamil Nadu, who was the Chief Guest, pointed out that since his Academy was directly involved in training students and teachers in computers and information technology, there was perfect synergy with RCM’s project at Sembakkam. He promised that they would train the teachers and be fully involved with the computer training program.
Mr Tom Chackalackal, Executive Director, Manufacturing Operations, Ford India, who was the Guest of Honour, said that he was very happy with the way Sembakkam community had responded to the new initiative towards which Ford had donated 15 computers. He said that Ford was active in Community Development in a lot of villages located around their plant. Digital Literacy, given its importance, was a priority for them, he added.
Sembakkam Town Panchayat President Mr G M Santhakumar thanked RCM for establishing the Center, which he felt would greatly benefit the community. At his request, RCM also donated a Computer to the local library on the occasion. The first installment of books, donated by Rotary club members, was also handed over to him with the promise that a total of 1000 books would be given.
