XLRI Students Start Computer Training for Tribal Villagers

Jamshedpur, Nov. 11 (The Telegraph): Residents of Dorkasai village might not have touched a computer. But some of them would set a dose of IT and that too from the prestigious XLRI.

This morning marked a beginning for about 50 tribals — youths and children — from the village in Potka block, as they attended the B-school’s first basic computer literacy programme.

XLRI students would teach the tribal students on the campus. The batch comprises of students in the age group of 15 to 26.

Secretary of the Social Initiative Group for Managerial Assistance at XLRI said they got the idea to organise such classes after a field trip.

“During our village exposure programme a year ago, some villagers in Dorkasai expressed their desire to learn computers. They asked our students to come there and teach,” said Victor Prasad, secretary of the students’ body.

The XLRI students returned from the village but could not leave behind the request of the villagers.

“Then we thought if we cannot go there, why can’t the villagers come here (to Jamshedpur),” added Victor.

The initiative took a big leap when XLRI tied up with Gram Vikas Kendra, an NGO under the aegis of Tata Motors, to carry on the project. Loyola Project School and XLRI’s information technology wing Socrates also joined the venture.

The basic programme has 12 modules of three hours each. Thought the tribal students would have to travel from their village to the steel city for the weekly classes, their travelling expenses would be reimbursed. Dorkasai is about, 12km from Jamshedpur.

About 50 students from nearby areas would also join the group from Potka. These students are being brought in under a Loyola project.

An advanced module would follow the present course.