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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Anna University student suicide case: Five held
Tiruchirappalli (PTI): Five people have been arrested in connection with the death of the Anna University student, who jumped in front of a speeding train in Pudukottai district, police said on Tuesday.
The deceased, a third-year student from Virudhunagar district, was found dead on the railway track near Mandaiyur on the night of September 20 by the railway police, who later recovered a suicide note from his hostel room.
The student had, in the letter, alleged sexual assault, blackmail, and extortion by five men.
Following this, the police arrested the five suspects. A case has been registered, and further investigation is on.
