Date:25/01/2008 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/01/25/stories/2008012553661400.htm

Back MCX computer literacy drive in Maharashtra

Our Bureau

Mumbai, Jan. 24

Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) has tied up with Microsoft and New Delhi-based non-profit organisation, Indian Society of Agri-business Professional (ISAP) for imparting computer literacy in rural Maharashtra.

Of the total project cost of Rs 1.14 crore, Microsoft will provide Rs 84 lakh and MCX will pump in Rs 30 lakh. The project aims at providing basic computer literacy to rural youth, farmers and women. "It will not only keep them abreast with the present technology but also equip them with technical and entrepreneurial skills, while facilitating access to useful content on the Internet," said Mr Joseph Massey, Deputy Managing Director, MCX.

The programme being run by Microsoft and ISAP, has trained over 15,500 people and over 24,000 people are using this service across 16 districts for understanding the futures market prices of the specific commodities.

BENEFITING FARMERS

Mr K.L. Chadha, Chairman, ISAP, said "MCX joining the initiative will further strengthen the project. The farmers will not only be benefited by accessing to prices of various commodities in different places, they can also search for valuable inputs on agriculture sector on the Internet." ISAP is undertaking the initiative with due diligence and assisting in ground level implementation of the programme in Maharashtra. They will install the laptop and desktop computers provided by MCX and other donors across all the centres for training.

Mr Deepak Maheshwari, Director, Microsoft Corporation India Pvt Ltd said, "We believe that by training undeserved individuals, we can create social and economic opportunities that can change people's live and transform communities