This project was a joint social initiative between Anchorage (ITSMA’s sister-concern) and GAIA, co-funded by the Basque government. The project started in May 2001 with the objective of providing vocational training to the community members around Bidadi. The intention was to spread awareness of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and harness its potential to improve the quality of life.

Tel-Nek project was implemented in Bidadi, Ramanagaram Taluk, Bangalore Rural District.

The training includes All MS Office, Internet and email principles and applications, PageMaker, CorelDraw as well as Tally (An Indian Accounting Package that more than 90% of the firms use). The project also covered all aspects of TeleWorking and one of the key concerns of the project team is to reduce urban migration by providing suitable and remunerative ICT based employment opportunities to the successful trainees. The process of exploring mutually beneficial TeleWorking arrangement with corporate in Bangalore city and other places is on.
 
Rural and semi-rural women with class 10 pass in the age group of 18-35 years are the primary target of the project. The training program is held in Kannada as our experience and interaction with the community indicated that the language is a major hindrance in successful implementation of ICT trainings conducted by other groups.

Tel-Nek Centre has already trained more than 500 women and 300 children.

Future goals

Many ideas and projects have already been implemented and many more are in the pipeline. The 10 year e-MITRA model is yet to be unleashed.

Publications: “Information Technology for Learning and Development for Women in Rural India” in IEEE’s Publication 2004
Parallel to our social commitments, we proceeded with our business goals, by organizing other inward and outward delegations. More ...