Date:01/08/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/08/01/stories/2007080162360300.htm

New Delhi

IGNOU organises ‘National Alliance for Mission 2007’ convention

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: Indira Gandhi National Open University will organise the fourth convention of the “National Alliance for Mission 2007: Every Village a Knowledge Centre” on its campus beginning Wednesday.

The three-day event will also host the fifth convocation ceremony of Jamsetji Tata National Virtual Academy for Rural Prosperity (NVA) -- established by M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) with assistance from Tata Trusts -- informed Vice-Chancellor V. N. Rajasekharan Pillai at a press conference here on Tuesday.

Explaining the concept of “National Alliance for Mission 2007” that was launched in 2004, eminent agriculture scientist M. S. Swaminathan said it was a coalition of over 400 partners from different sectors like the government, academia, private sector and civil society entities that worked on how to take technology to rural India in a meaningful way.

Awards to be given

The first Rural Innovation Fund Awards will also be distributed during the event and a technology pavilion will be on display throughout the three days.

The convention will also witness the launch of the “Grameen Gyan Abhiyan”, a national movement for knowledge empowerment of rural families.

“It is hoped that by 2010 the ‘Grameen Gyan Abhiyan’ will cover every village and home in the country. The last mile and the last person connectivity will be achieved through an integrated Internet-community radio or Internet-cell phone synergy. A major role of this movement will be the establishment of linkages between scientific know-how and field level do-how,” said Prof. Swaminathan, who helms the Chair for “Education for Sustainable Development” set up by IGNOU.

Dr. Pillai said: “During the 11th Plan period, the University will facilitate the creation of tele-knowledge centres at block level at 8,000 places across the country. These centres will empower the rural citizens with information and advisory inputs pertaining to civic services, agriculture, animal husbandry, human rights, legal literacy, HIV/AIDS awareness, family education and nutrition.”

Several Union Ministers like Arjun Singh, Anbumani Ramadoss, A. Raja ad Mani Shankar Aiyer are scheduled to attend the convention.