Karnataka Chief Minister SM Krishna pledges support to NIIT’s World Computer Literacy Day Initiative

Bangalore, December 1, 2001

Karnataka Chief Minister, Mr. S M Krishna today pledged his support to the World Computer Literacy Day (WCLD) initiative launched by Asia’s IT training leader NIIT at a solemn function in Bangalore, by stating, “I support the movement to bring computer literacy in to everyone’s lives”.

The World Computer Literacy Day, to be celebrated on December 2, 2001, also marks NIIT’s 20th Foundation day. Set up in 1981, NIIT has done pioneering work in IT education and has trained over 2 million learners across 27 countries.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Sudha Raju, Vice President, NIIT said, “The overwhelming response to the world computer literacy day from Karnataka strengthens NIIT’s commitment and resolve of bridging the Digital Divide.”

Mr Susheel Kumar Daru, 82, will will get his first lessons in computers at NIIT’s Koramangala Centre in Bangalore and send his first e-mail to his nephew abroad. Later, Mr Sharma plans to use Internet as a means to enhance his learning.

It’s the day when over a 100 people each from the small towns of Chikkodi and Bailhongal in Karnataka will have their first brush with computers.

Towns like Belgaum and Mysore will have over 500 people each learning SWIFT Jyoti.

SWIFT Jyoti , a special 10-hour, 4-session training program, for the World Computer Literacy Day has been designed by Head of NIIT R&D Dr. Sugata Mitra the program aims to train beginners in the basics of computers.

As part of this initiative NIIT will train around 8,000 of India’s elected leaders-MPs, MLAs and corporators-and 12,000 of Government school toppers of Classes 8, 9, 10 and 11 absolutely free.

100,000 global citizens will make their first acquaintance with IT, exploding the aura of incomprehensibility that surrounds computers, and show the way to the IT-unaware millions.

A distinguished gathering at New Delhi will witness the inauguration of World Computer Literacy Day by Mr. Pramod Mahajan, Minister for IT, Communications and Parliamentary Affairs. Mr. Sanjiv Goenka, President CII and Ms. Colette Mathur, Director, World Economic Forum will also be speaking. The invitees to this function include participants of the CII-World Economic Forum India session due to start on Dec 2 evening.

WCLD--which commemorates the two decades of existence of global IT education corporation, NIIT-will mark the mass mobilization of computer literacy movement. NIIT, that has brought a record breaking 2 million people into the IT fold over the last 20 years, has chosen December 2 for launching its revolutionary computer training tool, Swift Jyoti. Mr H. Vishwanath, Minister for Primary and Secondary Education, Karnataka has already pledged his support to this movement earlier this week.

Swift Jyoti in fact is expected to lay the foundation for a crusade of which every child, every adult, every professional, every member of the silver generation will one day be a part.

“The overwhelming response to the World Computer Literacy Day and success of SWIFT Jyoti will prove to the world that computer literacy can touch the lives of the common person swiftly, conveniently and cost effectively,” stated Mr. P. Rajendran, Chief Operating Officer, NIIT Ltd.

December 2 will also showcase India’s immense capability to rise up as a nation and join hands for a worthy cause. “Not since India’s great Freedom struggle, and the days of the famous Dandi March, would the country have witnessed such widespread participation from the Indian community. The build up to WCLD, and the events leading to December 2, reiterate this point,” he added.

Whether it is training inmates at Delhi’s Tihar Jail and creating new skill set for them, or offering 20,000 free courses to the country’s political leadership and students-the message is clear. IT is the only way to go and India must become computer savvy as a nation.

Momentous support

The response to WCLD too has been momentous. Support for the big day has come from all quarters of the country, uniting states, Governments, political leaders, industry captains and professionals under the banner of the computer literacy cause.

While India’s leading portals such as indiatimes.com have devoted crucial space to WCLD and helped in catalyzing the numbers registering for NIIT’s Swift Jyoti course, Chief Ministers from across the country’s geographies have come forward to endorse December 2 and personally flag off the event.

Some of India’s state chieftains who have pledged their commitment to WCLD at events held country-wide include Mr. Chandrababu Naidu of Andhra Pradesh, Mr. Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, West Bengal, Mr. Narendra Modi, Gujarat, Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal, Himachal CM, and Mr. P.K. Kunhalikutty, Minister of IT, Kerala. The West Bengal CM will spearhead the contingent of 150 MLAs who will undergo the Swift Jyoti program to be held on Dec 2 at the Assembly.

About NIIT

NIIT pioneered IT training in India in 1981 and has evolved from a predominantly education company to an IT Solutions Corporation with equally balanced Software and Education revenues and a presence in 38 countries.
NIIT’s distinct training programs include Futurz--A series of programs of varying duration leading to iGNIIT title. CATS--Curriculum for Advanced Technologies Studies--offer training on advanced technology. SWIFT--Short Work Programs in Information Technology - caters to the literacy needs of people keen to learn computers. LEDA-Learning through Exploration, Discovery & Adventure-designed exclusively for school children.

NIIT is the first and the only Asian Education and Training Organization to feature among the IDC top 15 global IT training market leaders. The company has been conferred the "Best Training Company Award’ by Microsoft 2001." In a recent survey by Dataquest, India’s leading computer industry magazine, NIIT has been voted as the First choice of recruiters.

For further details, contact niit.webmaster@niit.com or Visit www.niit.com