IIT-B alumnus plans more Village Knowledge Centres in K'natak

Provides information such as new ways of farming, employment opportunities, prices of agricultural commodities, etc, as well as facilities such as internet banking, railway bookings

PTI | July 25, 2011



After a successful execution of a programme to provide children in a village in Karnataka with access to knowledge of English and internet connectivity for six years, Bangalore-based Affordable Business Solutions is planning to start eight more Village Knowledge Centres (VKCs) in the area.

"We want to create a hub of 10 or more VKCs in rural Karnataka and replicate the model elsewhere," said Shrikant Rao, its CEO.  Village Knowledge Centre acts as a nodal centre for knowledge connectivity. It provides information such as new ways of farming, employment opportunities, prices of agricultural commodities, etc, as well as facilities such as internet banking, railway bookings.

"Our focus has been to provide the facilities for school- going children...Recently even many adults were demanding that they be taught how to use computer, English, and internet, Rao, an IIT-B alumnus, said.

Currently two VKCs are operating in Ittamadu village, benefiting 800 children. The eight proposed VKCs will be in Ittamadu and neighbouring Melgopahalli.

Bangalore chapter IIT-Bombay alumni association is helping the organisation raise funds for this project. "Our future plan is to replicate the model in other parts of the country," he said.
 

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