Kerala to be first e-literate state by year-end

Kerala to be first e-literate state by year-end

IANS Thiruvananthapuram, March 14, 2008


Kerala is all set to become the first e-literate state in the country this year, Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan announced here Thursday.

Inaugurating the National e-Governance Advocacy Seminar and Kerala IT dot Com 2008, he said the state government has launched an ambitious project called Akshaya to address the issue of digital divide in the state. The programme will also provide Information and Communications Technology (ICT) as a tool for community development.

"This is a unique model for imparting basic computer literacy to one member of each family throughout the State. Akshaya has launched delivery of key e-governance services like e-payment facilities, e-forms, product selling and training programmes. By the end of 2008, Kerala is expected to become the first e-literate state in India," said Achuthanandan.

The Kerala government-promoted Technopark is hosting the events that would end Saturday.
Achuthanandan said that Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi have been ranked as the most attractive IT and ITES destinations in India.

"Many nationally and internationally renowned companies have already come forward with requests for built-up space and land. We are developing parks in all districts of Kerala in a hub and spoke model with the hubs at Thiruvanananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode and spokes in all the remaining districts," he said.

He added that work has commenced on the state government's plan to develop Thiruvanananthapuram and Kochi as the foremost IT locations in the region and work on integrated townships specifically for IT and ITES industry.

"The Technocity here and the Smart City at Kochi are global standard initiatives with most modern state-of-the-art infrastructure. The telecom density in the state is double the national average with electronic exchanges and fibre-optic cables running up to village level," said Achuthanandan.

Several leading IT experts from the country are taking part in the two events.Kerala is all set to become the first e-literate state in the country this year, Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan announced here Thursday.

Inaugurating the National e-Governance Advocacy Seminar and Kerala IT dot Com 2008, he said the state government has launched an ambitious project called Akshaya to address the issue of digital divide in the state. The programme will also provide Information and Communications Technology (ICT) as a tool for community development.

"This is a unique model for imparting basic computer literacy to one member of each family throughout the State. Akshaya has launched delivery of key e-governance services like e-payment facilities, e-forms, product selling and training programmes. By the end of 2008, Kerala is expected to become the first e-literate state in India," said Achuthanandan.

The Kerala government-promoted Technopark is hosting the events that would end Saturday.
Achuthanandan said that Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi have been ranked as the most attractive IT and ITES destinations in India.

"Many nationally and internationally renowned companies have already come forward with requests for built-up space and land. We are developing parks in all districts of Kerala in a hub and spoke model with the hubs at Thiruvanananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode and spokes in all the remaining districts," he said.

He added that work has commenced on the state government's plan to develop Thiruvanananthapuram and Kochi as the foremost IT locations in the region and work on integrated townships specifically for IT and ITES industry.

"The Technocity here and the Smart City at Kochi are global standard initiatives with most modern state-of-the-art infrastructure. The telecom density in the state is double the national average with electronic exchanges and fibre-optic cables running up to village level," said Achuthanandan.

Several leading IT experts from the country are taking part in the two events.