Nungthang Tampak programmed for fame

After Kerala India’s second computer literate village in state

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 20

A month long free computer training course for the villagers of Nungthang Tampak, a Kom village was concluded today with a small but impressive function at the village church. The training programme was organised by Mangaal Rural, an NGO working for rurtal development.

In the function director of Mangaal Rural, N. Surjit declared that Nungthang Tampak has become India’s second 100 per cent computer literate village in India. Kerala’s Chamravattom village is the country’s first 100 per cent computer literate village.

The training programme was opened on July 24, with four computer systems with one Wi Fi server and two master trainers provided free of cost by Mangaal Rural, based in Imphal. The concluding programme held at Nungthang Tampak Baptist Church was attended by the village chief Leivon Romio Kom, former vice-president of United Committee Manipur, Chandramani Khumancha, president ACOAM Lup, Ksh. Somorendro, rural elected members and villagers.

The village, about 65 kms south of Imphal is located in Saikot Assembly constituency of Churachandur district. This is a Kom village and has 45 households having a population of 200.

After the training programme was concluded Surjit donated a computer set with Wi Fi connectivity and a solar power system to the village.

To ensure that all the villagers attend the course classes were opened from 5 in the morning and continued till midnight. A room at the church premises was used as the class room. The two trainers were provided camped at the village during the course.

Surjit explained that as the villagers had to go to paddy fields and other works the classes remained open throughout the day and night so that all of them could join the class when they were free.

A 23-year-old housewife, mangte Shashniya said “I always dreamt of learning computer knowledge and I always prayed. When I married young I did not see any opportunity of learning it. But today I know the basics I thank Mangaal Rural.” She had to stop her speech frequently as emotitons choked her up.

The villagers were taught how to surf, compose text, save them, photoshop, send e-mail, store data and get print outs, etc.

“We do not have enough to pay back for what Mangaal Rural gave us. But this will be an important event in the history of our village. We all are grateful. May Mangaal Rural light up Manipur,” the village chief said.

Chandramani appealed for unity and love among all the communities living in Manipur for all round development.

While thanking Mangaal Rural Somorendro also said people should unite and work together for the betterment of the state.

All the speakers expressed their gratitude to Mangaal Rural for holding the programme and urged it to continue such programmes in other villages as well.