Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)
Mangaluru, Nov 16: Knowledge of computer is essential in today’s times. However, students of rural and hilly areas that too those who are studying in government institutions and are deprived of computer education.
It is for this reason that a renowned NGO of Mangaluru M Friends Charitable Trust has donated a digital bus with new technology on the occasion of its decennial celebration for rural children.
This bus is named ‘Class on Wheels’ and will make rounds of rural areas of Dakshina Kannada district providing for free educational service. The aim is to provide computer education for 5,000 children a year.
A bus has been converted into a computer classroom. It is airconditioned with provision to accommodate 16 or 32 students at a time for learning purpose. The bus has 16 laptop computers, keypads, mouse, 16 revolving chairs and 16 foldable desks.
A separate computer, chair and desk is provided for the teacher. A projector f to conduct conferences, TV for presentation, music system, mike sound system, lightings, LED digital board are also fixed. Colour printer, photocopier and scanner are also provided.
A biometric device has been fixed near the door of the bus to monitor the attendance of the students. There is a multispecialty facility to hold meetings or any functions for around 25 people inside the bus.
There are three entry points to get into the classroom bus. A CCTV camera is also installed for the safety of children. It is fixed with a ultramodern 6.8 kv generator for electricity, point for outside electrical connections, a 200 litre water tank on top of the bus for washing purposes, wash basin, drinking water facility of 40 litres, two outdoor AC units, battery box, tool box and a power point.
The digital bus concept was Hanif Puttur's brainchild, who works as cloud and infrastructure manager in Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Research Centre laboratory in Dubai. He is also the chief of M Friends Charitable Trust, UAE region.
The total cost of the bus is Rs 60 lac. The Heera model bus was bought from Aravind Motors and converted by Rodricks Industries of Baikampady. This bus will make rounds of various educational institutions in rural areas of Dakshina Kannada district and impart a minimum of 15 to 20 hours of computer education to children in phases.
The bus will have two experienced teachers, a driver and a conductor. Excepting for the government holidays, the bus will function from 9 am to 4 pm. This project runs at an annual cost of Rs 10 lac.
The project will begin from Kunjoor Panja school. M Friends group began its activities in 2013 as a WhatsApp group and has become a renowned charitable trust.
In the press conference, Mohammed Hanif Hajee, president, Rashid Vittal, chief secretary, Aboobacker K, treasurer, Mohammed Arif Padubidri, secretary and Aboobacker Puttur, trustee were present.