Hearing impaired woman honoured for e-literacy

Kochi, July 5 (UNI) Hoping that several others would follow the lead shown by her, 52-year-old Vimala Rathnan, a hearing impaired woman, was honoured by the Vadekkekera Panchayat today for successfully completing the basic e-literacy training under the government-run ''Akshaya'' programme.

For Vimala, who had to discontinue her studies after class three, it was a dream come true when she mastered the intricacies of computer operations at the 'Akshaya' centre at Thururthipuram near here last month.

''I wanted to learn computer as it was needed in every walk of life these days,'' Vimala had written in response to a question about why she wanted to learn computer.

Quite enthusiastic from the beginning, Vimala managed to pick up simple things like typing her name and drawing pictures within the first three days of her training.

An expert in embroidery and tailoring, Vimala, a resident of Moothakunnam in Ernakulam district, received a memento from Panchayat President T G Asokan as her proud son B Libin, a B.Sc.

second year student, looked on.

The Kerala Government launched the 'Akshaya' e-literacy programme in 2002 to make at least one person in each household computer literate. After a successful pilot project in Malappuram district, the programme was extended to seven more districts, including Ernakulam, in December last year.

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