Internet clicks on Scheduled Caste colonies

KOCHI: Every Scheduled Caste (SC) student from a rural area will have access to internet facilities soon. The state government has initiated a new venture titled ‘Vijnanvadi’ which aims at making every SC colony, across the state, tech-savvy. Apart from providing internet facilities, vijnanvadi will also include a library and a reading room for the beneficiaries.In one year, the government plans to take internet to selected 140 SC colonies from different constituencies across the state. The government has already shortlisted 70 SC colonies for the project. The selection of the building for this purpose is based on the availability of basic facilities like power supply. The building will be provided with the amenities enunciated under the scheme.District development officer, Scheduled Caste department K Padmarajan said, “Most of these Schedule Caste colonies are located in the remote rural areas with lesser accessibility to internet facilities. So, this can be an easy resort for the students residing in the rural areas,” he said. The libraries provided for the beneficiaries will have a wide range of collection of books including Malayalam classics, translations of world classics published by NBS and also magazines and newspapers. Besides, it will also have books for competitive examinations.“As most of the buildings selected for the purpose come under the local bodies, they will be solely responsible for these vijnanvadis. The Schedule Caste department will monitor the work, once in a month,” Padmarajan said. To manage day-to-day activities, a regional committee will be formed. “It will consist of a  panchayat member or municipal councillor, a SC promoter and also beneficiaries like students and selected members from the employment seekers group,” said K Padmarajan. It has been decided that the Schedule Caste department will meet the expenses of the vijnanvadis. Three such vijnanvadis were inaugurated in the Ernakulam district and four vijnanvadis are already operational.  The vijnanvadi at Perumbavoor has become functional, however, the procedures are still on to get it inaugurated. In Idukki and Alappuzha, five vijnanvadis have been inaugurated. One of the vijnanvadis was inaugurated at the Parappara Scheduled Caste colony community hall.This is one of the  projects  included in the Chief Minister’s programme.