Hearing impaired woman honoured for mastering computer operations

Kochi, Jul 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 her panchayat members today for successfully completing the basic e-literacy training as part of the government-run Akshaya programme.

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

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

She effortlessly displayed her computer skills at a function, organised by the Vadekkekara panchayat at Paravur near here today, to honour her.

An expert in embroidery and tailoring, this resident of Moothakunnam in Ernakulam district, was presented a memento by panchayat president T G Asokan even 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 rolled out to seven more districts, including Ernakulam, in December last year.

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