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Mission 2007: Technology for rural India
John Nelson, an engineer by profession, has started the Vadalur Knowledge Centre. His is the PURA (Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas) model developed by the President of India. The Vadalur Knowledge centre is tied with the ANNA FM radio started by the Anna University (again on the advice of the President of India) and acts as a knowledge hub for the villagers in and around the area. ANNA FM is in fact, India's first community radio centre.
"I am taking the audio content from Anna FM, which is exclusively for rural Tamil Nadu and cable-casting it to thirty nearby villages. We also identify child talents and provide them guidance. With an intention to create future scientists, we have brought 20 children from Vadalur to Chennai. Prof. M S Swaminathan spoke to them and encouraged them to be scientists," John Nelson said.
Inspired by the chat children had with the President Dr Abdul Kalam Azad on rediff.com, Nelson's centre has initiated chats by rural students with him.
Other than these initiatives, Vadalur Knowledge centre gets outsourcing work from the US for the youngsters in Vadalur through Nelosn's friends working there.
Nelson's plan for future as a partner of Mission 2007 is "to follow the PURA model so that rural people get the benefits of urban areas."
John Nelson has won the National Virtual Academy Fellowship started by the President for rural knowledge revolution.
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