PUDUKOTTAI: A dozen village information centres functioning in the tsunami-hit coastal villages of Pudukottai and Thanjavur districts will get Internet connectivity on December 26, coinciding with the second anniversary of the tragedy.
The Novib Netherlands, the Netherlands-based organisation for
international cooperation, has sanctioned a sum of Rs.2 lakh to each of
the centre to provide the infrastructure that includes a computer and a
wireless tower for the network under its `information and communication
technology for poor' project.
The centres were set up by the Dhan Foundation, Pattukottai, at
Keezha Kudiyiruppu, Pudhukudi, Kottaipattinam, Ayyanpattinam, Meemisal,
R. Pudupattinam and Muthukudi, in Pudukottai district and Maavakadu,
Eripurakarai, Mallipattinam, Sedubavachathiram and Somanathanpattinam,
in Thanjavur district.
The Project Executive of the Foundation, G. Satishkumar, told The
Hindu here on Sunday that apart from the Internet facility, the
fishermen would also have access to video conferencing, weather
reports, local market network on fishing trade in these villages.
"Each centre will be given about six global positioning system
(GPS) equipment for assisting fishermen adopting the conventional
method of fishing," he said.
Using the GPS, a fisherman would be able to locate the net left by
him in the waters to catch fish a few days earlier. "Although
experienced fishermen will be able to locate the net, it will not be an
easy job for young traders. The GPS will help the fishermen identify
the spot accurately, through the details of the latitude and
longitude", he explained.
The facilities will be launched at the villages simultaneously at 3 p.m. on Tuesday.
