Kerala to be declared first state to achieve total digital literacy: Report
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala is poised to make history as the first state in India to achieve total digital literacy, thanks to a sweeping grassroots campaign that has empowered over 21 lakh people with essential digital skills. From senior citizens making video calls for the first time to workers accessing online government services, the initiative has transformed lives across the state.
According to a report by The Hindu, the landmark achievement stems from the ‘Digi Kerala’ programme spearheaded by the Local Self-Government (LSG) department. LSG Minister M.B. Rajesh confirmed that the state government is now awaiting confirmation from the President of India to formally declare Kerala as fully digitally literate.
“We have achieved much beyond the guidelines stipulated by the National Digital Literacy Mission for digital literacy, which require training to be imparted only for those up to 60 years of age. This programme has included people of all ages,” The Hindu report quoted Rajesh as saying.
The Digi Kerala movement began as a pilot project in 2022 in the Pullampara grama panchayat in the capital city to impart digital literacy to all residents. What started as a local experiment soon grew into a state-wide campaign, with participants—many of whom had never used a smartphone—learning to make voice and video calls, use messaging apps like WhatsApp, access government services, carry out internet banking, and use popular social media platforms.
State-wide surveys identified 21.88 lakh individuals as digitally illiterate. To reach them, the programme mobilised an extensive network of 2.57 lakh volunteers. This included members of the National Service Scheme (NSS), Kudumbashree, the Kerala State Literacy Mission Preraks, Library Council, and various youth organisations, the report added.
To ensure the quality of learning, trainees underwent evaluations upon completion of the programme. An impressive 98 percent passed the assessment. Notably, in areas where more than 10 percent variation was observed, re-training sessions were held. Offline training was also provided in regions with poor internet connectivity.
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Karnataka Health Dept bars leave for staff amid ASHA workers’ strike starting Aug 12
Bengaluru, Aug 11 (PTI): In response to a planned three-day strike by ASHA workers starting August 12, the Karnataka Health Department on Monday issued a notice prohibiting all officers and staff from taking leave during the protest period, except in cases of medical emergencies.
Accredited Social Health Activists workers are demanding the fixed honorarium of Rs 10,000 promised by the state government in January. They have announced a continuous state-level protest from August 12 to 14.
The notice stated, “Information about ASHA workers absent from duty within district limits will be collected daily from primary health centres, compiled at the district level, and submitted to the commissionerate by 3 pm during the protest.”
The Health Department also urged community health officers, primary health protection officers, health inspectors, and Anganwadi workers to cooperate in ensuring that health services to the public remain uninterrupted.
