Vehicle to drive digital literacy launched in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: In an attempt to bridge the digital divide, Odisha government today launched a special vehicle to impart training to the school students and rural populace and enable them to have access to the digital world.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik flagged off the special ‘Digital Literacy Vehicle’ that would help enhance digital literacy, especially in the tribal-dominated districts.

“Digital Literacy Vehicle is a welcome initiative. I’m given to understand that it’ll impart training to more than 7,500 individuals in the next five years and will help bridge the digital divide,” Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said.

Informing media on the programme, Center for Youth and Social Development (CYSD) convener Jagadananda said, “On behalf of Hewlett-Packard (HP WORLD) company, computer literacy or knowhow of digital world campaign has been launched so that the general mass could have an access to it. In this facility, training on computer operation will be imparted, also training will be imparted to know about their lifestyle and livelihood.”

“This ‘Jatra’ (campaign) will be first launched from Thakurmunda block in tribal-dominated Mayurbhanj district. This special programme will begin in 20 educational institutions of Thakurmunda block. Plan India, CYSD and Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India have collaborated with HP in this joint venture. After Mayurbhanj, the programme will be in tribal-dominated Keonjhar district. Phase-wise this computer literacy van will venture into all the tribal-dominated districts of our State,” he added.

He further informed, “During the van’s stay in the village, computer literacy training will be imparted daytime while in the night a film will be played on the lifestyle and livelihood of the people along with discussion as well as evolving out ways and means. Basically it’s meant for the school students. In addition, the women self help groups (SHGs), enterprising local youths will also be covered.”

“A training team will be with the van. This training will be not of job appointments. By having initial access to it, they (trainees) will be no more scared of pursuing further professional training on it. At least it’ll pave the path for their further computer courses,” the CYSD Convener beamed.