I came to know that PMSSS and CRS launched an e-Learning program for the underprivileged children through Village Information Center.  I attended all  the classes regularly and got through with the subjects.  I appeared for the public examination.  Thanks to the e-Learning teachers more than 50% of the questions in all subjects were covered in the e-learning program.  This has fetched me to score high marks ie. 487 out of 500 marks. Appreciating my result BSNL, Puducherry the technical partner of e-Learning program awarded me with a wrist watch. And media partner Rainbow TV given a memento.  I feel proud to receive such appreciation in my school life.  My self, my parents  and family members express our gratitude and thanks to PMSSS-CRS for the valuable support.

I am Mr. Karthiban from Kurusukuppam Village, Pondicherry.   I am 39 years old and blind.  My wife is also physically challenged person.  I have two children. 
          I was suffering from ulcer complaint for more than six months.  I couldn’t afford for private clinical treatment and I went to Govt. Hospital for treatment.  But my problem was not solved.  Then I heard about the e-Medicine program conducted at Village Information Centre in Kurusukuppam.  I registered for the e-Medicine treatment.  I took 3 consultations and treatment with e-Medicine Doctor.  They also gave me free medicines.   Now I feel better and hope to get cured fully.  My thanks to the Doctor, PMSSS - CRS E-Medicine program.  It’s a new experience for me to use headphone, sit in front of the computer in my village and chat with the Doctor from PMSSS through video conferencing in a very user friendly manner. 
          This is a very good and needy program for neglected, sick and disabled people.  I hope more poor people like me will benefit in the future.

         From that company they replied me, that my application has been short listed and sent my registration number.  Then I had in house screening survey at Kanathur near Chennai. I have been selected in the house screening survey and psychometric test. During my training period I am earning Rs.10,000/- as my salary.

  Fish catch and income is not regular at all. In the lean and ban seasons we have no income.   Few years back my father fell sick due to kidney problem.  He could not go for fishing and no income to our family.

I studied upto 12th standard and due to economical constraints, I had to stop going for any higher studies. Our family was in deep struggle and my future became a big question mark.

Tsunami disaster which hit our coastal hamlet also put not only our village community and our family in a miserable situation. There was no body to support us being river water fisherman.  Even the government could not do much for us.

In this situation PMSSS, a NGO in Puducherry came into our village to do relief, rehabilitation work for the tsunami affected.  This is the first time a NGO came into our village and tried to do something for the people’s welfare.  We only came to receive what they were giving and did not look at anything else.  However, PMSSS continued to stay in our village and tried to animate and tell about the concepts of development.  PMSSS and CRS established Village Information Center in our village.  They were making weather announcements and potential fishing finding zone for the benefit of the fishermen.

PMSSS later started computer training courses like Microsoft Unlimited Potential Program for the youth development. with the support of NASSOM foundation. These new things were continuously being informed to the village community by PMSSS.

Fearing lack of English knowledge I shyed away from joining the computer course.  PMSSS VIC Field Instructor counseled, motivated and guided me to join the computer course which is given free of cost.

Finally I joined the computer training course.  To my surprise the computer lessons were in Tamil language. It was a sigh of relief for me. It developed confidence and hope within myself.  I took keen interest to learn the computer course.  The instructor taught me in the simplest way possible and within 3months I completed the basic course.

I realized my talent and expressed my intention to serve as a volunteer for our Village Information Centre. While working as a volunteer I continued to learn the other courses and completed the Microsoft Unlimited Potential Program.

When there was a vacancy for the Field Coordinator in our VIC, I applied to PMSSS for the Vacancy.  PMSSS also seeing my voluntarism, commitment and interest to serve the community gave me appointment.

Now, I work as field coordinator of my own VIC and earn Rs. 4000 per month. I am able to support my family with my income.  I am proud to shoulder and look after my sickly father, my mother, brother and sister.

In order to further enhance my life and family livelihood I decided to continue my higher studies.  Hence, I found a way out and joined B.A. Sociology course under distance education programme in Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu.  I am encouraging my sister and brother also to continue their studies.

In PMSSS-CRS-Village Information Center I found my life and our family life back into normalcy. I look forward to a bright future with a sustainable livelihood options.  Seeing the development in my life I have encouraged other boys and girls who are drop outs and low educated to join the Computer course in the VIC.  Youth joined the course.

PMSSS VIC and the computer course offered by NASSCOM Foundation are creating a new atmosphere in our small coastal hamlet.   We have internet access.  We get lots of timely information on weather, sea conditions, fish finding zones etc.  We are able to access, communicate and network with needed people, government departments, agencies etc.

I am happy to state that our fishing youth who used to spend their time wastefully, now utilize it more meaningfully and profitably for their own benefit.  They are able to develop their alternate vocational and life skills.  This is definitely going to bring a drastic change and good development for our Chinnaveerampattinam village community.

To conclude I wish to express my sincere thanks and gratitude to all who have contributed and extended their valuable service for enabling me, ensuring income resource for my family and equipping our village community with digital devices towards integral human development.

I attended the program and understood the procedures for my marriage registration. I approached the Field staff for the registration. I was introduced to the lawyer and he helped me to register my marriage. I am very happy that I got my marriage certificate after 31 years of my marriage life. I am very much thankful to PMSSS - CRS Village Information Centre staff.

I am P. Geetha from Sonankuppam village, Cuddalore. I have one child and studying 2nd standard in school. My husband left me and married another woman. I was not cared by him and no support from my family also. My baby has a problem in her heart. She had to go for a heart surgery. No one was ready to help me for the surgery. During this time PMSSS conducted an e-awareness program on Women Rights in our village. The program explained about the rights of the woman in the family and in the community, laws and punishments for the violence against women. After watching this program I sought the help of PMSSS-CRS Village Information Center’s field staff for my problem.  The staff introduced me to the Lawyer Mr.C.A.Doss. I explained him my problem and about the surgery. He assured me that I could get my rights on my Husband’s property. He helped me to get the share of my husband’s property and the surgery was done to my child. Now my child is healthy. This was possible only because of the e-Awareness program conducted by PMSSS and CRS VIC.  My heartfelt thanks to them.