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New Indian Express
4 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
At 104, Kerala man becomes symbol of state's digital literacy revolution
THIRUVANTHAPURAM: At the age of 104, M A Abdullah Moulavi from Asamannoor in Ernakulam district is incredibly self-reliant in choosing his favourite social media reels and watching important news on YouTube. While searching prayer songs swiftly on his son's smartphone with his fragile fingers and pressing the video call button to talk to his grandchild abroad, Moulavi's wrinkled face beams with pride and happiness. He is one of about 22 lakh persons in Kerala who have become digitally literate through the path-breaking "Digi Keralam" programme rolled out by the state government, which eventually paved the way for a digital revolution. 79-year-old Sarasu, a daily wage earner, was initially averse to digital learning. Later, she became a YouTube channel owner, and 80-year-old Sulochana in Moovattupuzha started to access government services on her mobile without anyone's help. With 99.98 per cent of learners achieving basic digital skills and passing out, Kerala is now all set to be declared as the "first digital literate state" in the country. Launched on 22 September 2022 by the Local Self-Government Department (LSGD), Digi Keralam aimed to attain complete digital literacy in the state in line with the total literacy campaign in 1991, authorities said. As part of the drive, digitally illiterate people were identified and trained in tasks ranging from turning a smartphone on/off to using digital tools and accessing government services online.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
At 104, Kerala centenarian masters smartphones: Symbol of state's digital revolution
Thiruvananthapuram, At the age of 104, M A Abdullah Moulavi from Asamannoor in Ernakulam district is incredibly self-reliant in choosing his favourite social media reels and watching important news on YouTube. At 104, Kerala centenarian masters smartphones: Symbol of state's digital revolution While searching prayer songs swiftly on his son's smartphone with his fragile fingers and pressing the video call button to talk to his grandchild abroad, Moulavi's wrinkled face beams with pride and happiness. He is one of about 22 lakh persons in Kerala who have become digitally literate through the path-breaking "Digi Keralam" programme rolled out by the state government, which eventually paved the way for a digital revolution. 79-year-old Sarasu, a daily wage earner, was initially averse to digital learning. Later, she became a YouTube channel owner, and 80-year-old Sulochana in Moovattupuzha started to access government services on her mobile without anyone's help. With 99.98 per cent of learners achieving basic digital skills and passing out, Kerala is now all set to be declared as the "first digital literate state" in the country. Launched on 22 September 2022 by the Local Self-Government Department , Digi Keralam aimed to attain complete digital literacy in the state in line with the total literacy campaign in 1991, authorities said. As part of the drive, digitally illiterate people were identified and trained in tasks ranging from turning a smartphone on/off to using digital tools and accessing government services online. LSGD Minister M B Rajesh said, as many as 21,87,677 digitally illiterate persons, identified through a survey conducted among 83,45, 879 families across the state, have been trained to use digital tools effectively. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will officially declare the state as totally digitally literate in a function to be held at the Central Stadium here on August 21, he said. "The digital literacy programme has been implemented on the model of the historic total literacy movement in the state decades ago," Rajesh told PTI. He said the immediate necessity for digital literacy was felt when the government services, especially those of the LSGD Department, had completely become online. If the benefits of the online services are to reach the common people, the digital gap in society should be bridged effectively, he said. "Thus, when we implemented initiatives to make all the services of our department online, the digital literacy initiative was also carried out simultaneously to digitally empower people, cutting across their socioeconomic status or geographical location," the minister explained. Jeromic George, Principal Director, LSGD, said Digi Keralam was launched to ensure that every citizen is able to access and benefit from e-governance and digital services. "This was not just a government programme, but a people's movement, connecting generations and communities," he said. Over two lakh volunteers, the majority of them students, Kudumbasree activists, National Service Scheme members, and students' police cadets were the backbone of the drive, which was completed by March this year. Of those several lakh people who have become digital literates, over 15,000 are above 90 years old, like Abdullah, the minister added. "Digital learning has brought such a positive change in his daily life at this age. Now, he easily switches on YouTube to watch news and video calls the grandson abroad by himself," Abdullah's son Faizal told PTI. Authorities said Pullampara, a tiny panchayat on the outskirts of the capital district, has laid the foundation for the successful mass digital literacy model implemented across the state. Sajina Sathar, assistant director, Digi Keralam, recalled that the plight of underprivileged people, many of them senior citizens, during the pandemic lockdown in 2021 had persuaded Pullampara panchayat authorities to think about digital literacy seriously. "During the pandemic, we could see long queues of people before the only bank in our village to check whether their MGNREGA wages were credited to their accounts," the official, who conceptualised and led the digital literacy drive in Pullampara, told PTI. "Some even spent ₹200-300 to reach the bank by auto just to check the balance," she said. If they were digitally literate, they could check their balance on their mobile phones, and that thought had persuaded the panchayat authorities to devise the path-breaking digital literacy drive, she said. The official said they faced numerous challenges, from preparing a scientific module and identifying volunteers for surveys to training them alongside funding shortages and mobile connectivity issues in the hamlet's hilly terrain. The biggest challenge was to change the mindset of the individuals and prepare them for digital learning, she added. On the occasion of officially declaring Pullampara as the first fully digitally literate village panchayat in the state on September 21, 2022, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced that this model would be replicated across the state. Kerala Institute of Local Administration was asked to prepare a training module suitable for the entire state. "Then we began volunteer registration. Master trainers were identified, and through them trainers were trained. They, in turn, imparted training to volunteers. Training sessions were almost online,'' Rajesh said. Kerala could implement such a massive initiative successfully, as our grassroots-level networking is so strong, said Minister Rajesh, who himself was a student volunteer in the literacy movement of the 1990s. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
India Today
18-07-2025
- Health
- India Today
Kerala to launch stray dog vaccination drive, expand sterilisation centres
In an effort to address the growing issue of stray dogs in Kerala, the state government will launch a month-long vaccination drive for stray dogs starting in August. The initiative will be carried out jointly by the Local Self-Government Department and the Animal Husbandry Department. The decision was taken during a meeting attended by Local Self-Government Department Minister MB Rajesh and Animal Husbandry Minister J vaccination drive for pet dogs is scheduled to begin in September. As part of the broader plan, the government will also make it mandatory to obtain licences for pet state has also decided to invoke the euthanasia provision under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Animal Husbandry Practices and Procedures) Rules, 2023. Minister MB Rajesh stated that Section 8 of the rules pertains to euthanasia, and the government will act in accordance with this provision. He noted that one of the main challenges in managing the stray dog crisis is the public resistance to Animal Birth Control Centres. To address this, the meeting resolved that criminal cases will be registered against those who disrupt the operations of these the government plans to introduce 152 portable Animal Birth Control units at the block level across the state. Each unit will receive a financial allocation of Rs 28 lakh.- Ends IN THIS STORY#Kerala
New Indian Express
14-06-2025
- New Indian Express
Citizens to get reward for reporting waste dumping in Kerala
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a move to boost public participation in curbing illegal waste dumping, the Local Self-Government Department (LSGD) has revised the reward system for citizens reporting littering and related violations. As per a new order, those who provide valid evidence of such violations will now receive 25% of the fine imposed on offenders. Until now, local bodies were giving Rs 2,500 as a fixed reward for reporting violations. LSGD Minister M B Rajesh, in a release issued here, said the initiative is aimed at encouraging citizen involvement in monitoring waste violations in public spaces. He also directed local bodies to ensure that those who report such violations with evidence are duly rewarded. To strengthen enforcement, the department plans to expand its surveillance network by involving Haritha Karma Sena members, NSS volunteers, SPC cadets, college students, and other community groups. The WhatsApp number 9446700800, launched for hassle-free reporting, has already received an overwhelming response. A dedicated control room has been set up at the principal directorate of LSGD to handle the complaints. So far, 8,674 complaints have been received, with action taken on 5,361 cases supported by evidence. Of the resolved cases, 84.41% pertained to clean-up operations. Authorities have imposed fines totaling Rs 33.5 lakh, and legal proceedings have been initiated against 31 people. Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram reported the highest number of complaints, while Wayanad saw the fewest. As per the law, individuals or establishments found littering or burning waste can be fined up to Rs 5,000. Discharging waste water into public places or water bodies will attract a fine ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 50,000. Dumping sewage or hazardous waste into water bodies is a criminal offence punishable with fines ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000 and imprisonment of six months to one year.
New Indian Express
05-06-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Shipwreck spill hits ‘Malinya Muktham' campaign in Kerala
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the world prepares to celebrate World Environment Day on Thursday under the theme #BeatPlasticPollution, Kerala faces a significant environmental crisis. A shipwreck off the state's coast has released tons of plastic nurdles—tiny pellets used in manufacturing—polluting the shorelines of Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam. These nurdles pose a serious threat to marine life, public health, and the state's ambitious 'Malinya Muktham Nava Keralam' campaign, which aims to achieve a garbage-free Kerala by March 2026. Highlighting the severity of the situation, social activist Magline Peter said that the entire shoreline of the capital is now covered in nurdles. She expressed concern that the local communities remain unaware of the hazardous situation, lacking information about necessary precautions and the actions being taken to address the crisis. 'There is no transparent communication to resolve this issue. A week has passed, but little action has been taken to clean the nurdles up,' she said. Since its launch, the Malinya Muktham Nava Keralam campaign has focused on reducing plastic use, implementing door-to-door collection of non-biodegradable waste, and ensuring proper waste management. The nurdle spill represents a significant setback to these efforts. LSG Minister M B Rajesh said that the government has begun efforts to remove the nurdles. 'While the Local Self-Government Department is not directly involved, the Environment Department is coordinating cleanup activities,' Rajesh said.
