Tele-Fisheries and Tsunami Alert System Launched in Alappad

Bringing Tele-Education, Tele-Agriculture and Tele-Medicine knowledge to the rural communities

Azhikal, India
January 14, 2007

The Mata Amritanandamayi Math in connection with the ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization), has been establishing Amrita ISRO Village Resource Centers* (VRC)across the country using satellite technology to bring knowledge, medical care, educational, and economical resources to remote areas.

Today, the Amrita ISRO Village Resource Center launched Tele-Fisheries and Tsunami Alert Systems at the fisheries harbor in Azhikkal, Alappad Panchayat, Kerala.

The systems were inaugurated by Sri. S. Sharma, the Honorable Minister of Fisheries, Harbor Management & Registration of Kerala. During the function, a Tele-Fisheries Information Board was unveiled which will display data regarding the three best fishing locations as determined through the ISRO satellite. The board will be updated with new information every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

The fisheries harbor will also be home to Alappad's Tsunami Alert System. Attached to the board is a siren which will sound should another wave threaten the community.

Other Amrita ISRO Village Resource Centers have been established in the Kerala villages of Kalpetta, Putiyakavu, Parippally, Srayikkad, Amritapuri, Manantavadi, as well as the Tamil Nadu villages of Nagapattinam and Ettimedai. These are bringing Tele-Education, Tele-Agriculture and Tele-Medicine knowledge to the local communities. Aside from these online programs, there are a number of off-line programs, including skill training, eco-development, capacity building programs, debates and seminars.

Since the VCR program's inception in July 2005, 70 such online and off-line programs have been organized in various sectors with 11,050 people participating.

--- Sree.

*Village Resource Centers (VRCs) is a unique concept developed by Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), which envisages transformation of rural communities by providing all the infrastructure and facilities for tele-education, tele-medicine, emergency and disaster response systems. VRC will also provide vital information and satellite pictures for the benefit of communities like farmers, fishermen etc.

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