CHENNAI: Hope for a better tomorrow has dawned on Kannagi Nagar. This colony, set up to rehabilitate millions of slum dwellers in the city, who were displaced due to development projects, will see its first computer lab opening up for the youth.This ray of hope has been provided by Hope Foundation and Dell. As part of the Dell Youth Connect Scheme, this computer lab will empower children and youth of Kannagi Nagar, Asia’s largest resettlement colony.Given the high rate of high school dropout among children in Kannagi Nagar, this computer lab has come at the right time, said Dr Ashok Kumar Prabath, Chief Program Officer of Hope Foundation, which runs a primary school at the colony.He also added, “This lab will cater to children from our school and also children from this neighbourhood who study in the nearby government schools, free of cost.”Communication was the key to being a confident person, said Dr Ashok. In this lab, they would adopt a triple E concept — English, e-tools and computer tools like basic word and e-learning.Dr Ashok said, “Most of our curriculum is based on rote learning. We want the children to understand the concepts clearly and go to the next level. We make use of the multi-media to give them a clear conceptual understanding.”This lab would also offer courses for the youth of Kannagi Nagar, which will equip them with better communication and computer skills, making them employment ready.Dr Ashok said, “Most of the students are hard working and have scored good marks, but given their lack of exposure they are not able to communicate well in English, which is affecting their confidence level and their employment opportunities. We at this lab believe that ‘confidence’ includes communication and conceptual learning.”For the youth of the Kannagi Nagar, they would offer computer courses on basic, DTP and other tools. The lab was equipped with 20 trainers and they were open from 8 am to 7 pm during week days. The classes last for a session of one and a half hours, and they are equipped to handle seven batches a day.The centre was inaugurated by Narasinga Telidevara, Executive Director, Dell BPO at Okkiam Thoraipakkam. Speaking on the occasion, he said, “It’s critical that we arm youth around the globe with skills to participate in the connected era by supporting access to technology resources, teaching youth how and when to use technology and unleashing each child’s unique potential through technology.”KA Senthil Velan, DSP, Padma Venkataraman (daughter of former president of India R Venkataraman), Manjula Saraf, Programme Director were also present at the function. For more information, call 9791035670.
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