Akshaya was started as an initiative to address the backwardness of the Malappuram district in 2002, seeing that there existed a digital divide in that place. There existed a majority that could not use information technology for the wellbeing of society. The idea that sparked at Malappuram was later on conceived as a landmark ICT project of Kerala State IT Mission. On the socio-economic front, for Kerala to gain heights, it is important that they march ahead with time. Bridging the digital divide was the need of the hour then. The vast majority of the populace has to be equipped with the tools of information technology to achieve tangible progress. Malappuram district panchayat came forward with the plan to bring information technology to the common household and Kerala State IT Mission in turn acted as government’s nodal agency for bringing transparency and speed in administration.The grassroots-level ICT centres were established at panchayat/municipal ward level, with the town planning department identifying the suitable location through spatial mapping, catering the needs of 1000 families living in that place. Entrepreneurs having social responsibility were selected by the local bodies to train one person from a family, which recorded 6.5 lakh families residing in the district.The results were phenomenal. Community , civil society organizations, welfare organizations, local bodies all owned up the project and with the smart backing up of district panchayt, local bodies and officials, Malappuram achieved a feat which no other place in India could achieve in 2004, making at least one person from a family electronically literate. The project opened up immense opportunities for the women participation at various levels as entrepreneurs, master trainers etc.The community-based model attracted people’s participation as well. The connectivity (wireless) at centres enabled the families in Malappuram to have a bond with their dear and near ones in Gulf countries.The second phase in 2004 thus got the much required momentum to move on by building a wireless network to enable G2C, B2C services to complement the e-literacy plan. Around the same time the collection of the utility bills as well as issue of documents related to tax which were earlier done at FRIENDS centres was integrated with Akshaya project.With the Malappuram experiment proving a big success, e-literacy along with the utility services has been rolled out in seven more districts of the state in the second stage in 2005, with broadband connectivity. Kannur in 2007 became the second district after Malappuram to achieve hundred percent literacy. In the third phase by 2008 Akshaya made its presence in the entire districts in Kerala.The initial concept of catering to the needs of 1000 families was raised to 2500-3000, thus limiting the Akshaya centres to two or three operating in a panchayat. The business model got sustainable as a variety of world class services were offered to the general public at their doorsteps, which got wide publicity as the days passed by. The project got wide acceptance as catalyst in creating employment opportunities for the rural masses thereby achieving rapid socio- economic growth focusing on e-learning and e-governance.Enabling Akshaya is Empowering Kerala With the passage of time, Akshaya became a household name in Kerala. From 2010, Akshaya has been actively engaged in various developmental activities by performing all types of G2C services ranging from supplying ration cards, providing medical insurance and issuing various certificates from local administration authorities and thereby giving soothing touches to many a family.Easy accessibility, friendly approach of Akshaya centres, timely delivery of services, the speed and transparency in service, together with the flexible timings make Akshaya centres a people’s choice by all means. Service delivery at multiple levels has been the mantra of the new age e-governance and Akshaya centres with more G2C services to their credit aim at an altogether “empowered society” making the citizen powerful- a power within to choose, make decisions and access information of their choice.In the coming days, Akshaya centres are expected to share more information and act as self-managed groups, thereby creating better communication and productivity. Certainly the citizen would be living life ‘king size’ as far as the availability of services is concerned and Akshaya centres are all prepared to take this new age challenge. Considered to be a rural model, the project at the outset aims to empower the rural population in using the advantages of ICT for their day-to- day applications. This will certainly improve the conditions and enhance the economic development of the rural populace in Kerala in all spheres of life.(The writer is coordinator, Akshaya Project of Kerala State IT Mission, Kannur District. e-mail; [email protected])
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