A Management Case:

Embalam Knowledge Centre

The MSSRF Information Village Research Project

 Implemented in 12 villages of Pondicherry

Union Territory since 1998.

 Village level Information Kiosks or Rural

Knowledge Centers(KCs) were set up in
different villages.
Highlights of the initiative
 The project is based on community ownership of
technology and technological tools.

 The relation between MSSRF and the village

community is one of partners-in-progress, and not
donor and recipient.

 Based on the pro-poor approach(‘Antyodaya’ principal).

 Bridging the social-communal gap.

Hub and Spokes Model
• A set of villages will be connected
through electronic conduits.
Spokes
• A single village is acted as Hub while
the rest of the villages will act as
Spokes.

Spokes Hub Spokes • Information will be got from the

spokes to the Hub as well as being
locally generated at the hub and
then disseminated to the villages at
Spokes the Spokes.
Services available at Knowledge Centre(KCs)

 Agriculture related knowledge like price fluctuation for agriculture produce.

 Information related to Government financial schemes like insurance for asset less
women and widows, healthcare, nutrieion, sanitation etc.

 Information related to animal husbandry

 Information related to the commercial aspects of SHGs like finding market for their
products.

 Information about employment opportunities

 Information needed for new entrepreneurs and innovators.

 Help the WSHGs in getting the logistic and management support in starting micro-
enterprises like incense stick making, pickle making etc.

 SHG Bank linkages programs.

About Embalam village

 Total Population : 6500

▪ Vanniyars 75%
▪ Dalits 20%
▪ FC 2%
 Total HHs: 1000
▪ 150 landless laborers
▪ 150 rich farmers
▪ 400 small & medium farmers

 13 women’s SHG comprises of around 15-20 women are

considered to be the best in Pondicherry Union Territory.
About Embalam KC

 The KC was started in the precincts of the Draupadi

Amman temple.

 Mr. Selvam(DMK) became the care taker of the KC.

 4 women from four different WSHGs were trained

and appointed as volunteers.

 One was a DMK sympathizers, two were Congress

sympathizers and one ADAMK sympathizer.
The Problem(s)
 DMK sympathizer Karuthamma projected herself as the
unofficial leader of the KC in operational matters which
was not accepted by the other 3 volunteers.

 They started the protest against her who was a close

confidant of Mr. Salvam.

 All volunteers had a self-important attitude.

 Finally, no solution was found, hence the project was

closed.
 Appendix
Type of
Location Esth. Year Operated By Village Situated in

Villianur(Hub) 1998 Project Staff Block Dev. HQ Rented Building

Kizhur 1998 Private House owner & village voluntry org. Agri. Village Private House
Veerampattiman 1999 Volunteers selected by traditional Panchayat Fisherman's Vill. Panchayt Building

Poornangkuppam 1999 Temple trust and Gram Panchayat Agri & Horti Vill. Public temple room

Pillayarkuppam 2000 Vill. Volunteers Bio Centre M S S R building

Thiruknchipet 2000 Vill. Volunteers Agri laborer's Vill Govt. TV Room

Klitheephalkuppam 2001 Vill. Volunteers Agri & milk prod. Part of the noon
Vill meal prog. Room
Nallavadu 2001 Volunteers selected by traditional Panchayat Fisherman's Vill. Panchayt Building
Periyakalapet 2003 Volunteers selected by traditional Panchayat Fisherman's Vill. Panchayt Building

Socially
Koonichampet 2003 Youth underprivilleged Community hall
people

Moorthykuppam 2004 Volunteers selected by traditional Panchayat Fisherman's Vill. Panchayt Building
Presented By:
Patanjali Kumar & Sumeet Kr. Pandey