Two-Day Programme for Kiosk Operators and Development Organisations that work with such implementation projects
Organised jointly by Gandhigram Trust and RIM (Rejuvenate India Movement)
The 2-day programme covered the following issues:
1. Village ICT centre - possible services and usage
2. Revenue streams and making a profitable business
3. Co-existing with and enhancing other service providers
4. Skill and knowledge updation for kiosk operators
5. Networking and enlarging scope of operation
Faculty:
Ram, Chief, Samanvaya
Priya, Samanvaya
A highly creative, interactive
and talented group of entrepreneurs and a drive for achievement ensured
that the workshop was a success. Several ideas and follow-up plans for
developing innovative products and services were discussed. Plans are
on to conduct similar workshops in the future.
Feedback:
"Earlier I had many ideas, but I did not know how to go about making
these ideas work, or whether they were even feasible. Now, I know how
to implement; I have got the implementation approach and methods."
Murali, Entrepreneur-Kiosk Operator, Kancheepuram
"When I came all I knew
about this Internet kiosk was Rasi Maiyam and Government, nothing more.
I take back the idea that it is all community service and how to do this
service also professionally. If I persist and consistently go on for a
year, then I will see success."
Mohanasundaram, Entrepreneur looking to facilitate setting up a network
of Internet Kiosks in and around Periyapalayam
"I had been thinking
of only Kalugumalai (village) and the Government all this while. It is
a much larger picture today, and numerous possibilities of work and revenue
generation for me"
Kalidas, Entrepreneur-Kiosk Operator, Kalugumalai Village, Tuticorin
District
"My questions about
what can I do for the village people have been answered. For me, it is
bridging the gap between the villagers, their needs and the world and
what it can offer."
Latha, Aspiring Entrepreneur-Kiosk Operator, Gandhi gram
"The Rasi Maiyam is
one small place, but it's reach is very very large. And I have to be continuously
at it, trying out many things to make it a success. I have learnt how
to do that, how to connect revenue and service."
Devanathan, Aspiring Entrepreneur-Kiosk Operator, Mazhuvangaranai Village
"There are so many ideas
that we have had. Now we also have the implementation methods for these
and many more ideas."
Uma, Entrepreneur-Kiosk Operator, Kalugumalai Village, Tuticorin District
"One thing that I have
been made to realise is that I have to go out there with all the services
that I can offer for the village, and not expect them to come to me."
Renuka, Aspiring Entrepreneur-Kiosk Operator, Gandhi gram
"There is a lot of scope
for this technology and what it can do. But it needs a consistent effort.
It has been very useful for me in learning how the needs of the people
and the services that I can offer can be connected."
Kumaravelu, Entrepreneur-Kiosk Operator, Tuticorin
"For me, it is always
a question of how Rasi Maiyam can help in the harmonious, all-round development
of the people and the village. With the help of this technology and it's
judicious use, people can network and learn from each other's strengths."
A.L. Rangarajan, RIM (Rejunevate India Movement) State Coordinator