Knowledge Management

Duration and scope of association with Vikaspedia

Life Academy of Vocational Studies (LAVS) was appointed as the State Nodal Agency for Vikaspedia by C-DAC in the month of November, 2016. Vikaspedia has been developed as part of the India Development Gateway initiative. Prior to this website, the Indian government launched several other websites across different ministries and government organizations, which are mostly in English and the national language, Hindi. Besides the central government-run websites, each state government has its own information sites, as well. Recognizing the limitations of the earlier moves, the multilingual portal is developed as a single-window access to information, products and services, with specific objective of reaching the ‘un-reached’ communities of India. Vikaspedia seeks to bridge the gap between the poor and development, by providing links to government, civil society groups / NGOs and private institutions. The ultimate goal is to create a service-oriented, people-friendly and demystified Information Technology (ICT) for development in service of communities through country-wide collaborations. It seeks to bridge the gap between the poor and development, by providing links to government, civil society groups / NGOs and private institutions. The portal is dedicated to offer information in 23 languages: English, Assamese, Telugu, Hindi, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, Bodo, Dongri, Sanskrit, kashmiri, Konkani, Nepali, Oriya, Urdu, Maithili, Manipuri, Santali, Sindhi, Punjabi, and Marathi. CDAC has introduced new and user friendly tools that will help contributors in generating regional content over the Internet. It was a great moment in the life of the organization when it got selected as the State Nodal Agency (SNA) for dissemination in Oriya in the state.

The key advantages of the portal

A timely initiative to facilitate sharing of development information promoting active citizenship; Rich repository of data for ready reference by development practitioners and agencies; A tool for empowerment and economic development of the masses; Participatory focus with emphasis on voluntarism; Best use of IT and ICT tools for social change and change management; Need based and demand driven approach and Huge potential for outreach and scale-up.Vikaspedia was much more useful and effective in generating demand and response for customized information in contrast to radio, print and other forms of electronic media. The SNA has worked hard to mobilize an in-house team and reach out to line departments and others through writing letters, conducting district workshops and meeting functionaries of different domain related agencies, yet there was still a lot to do in terms of promoting voluntarism, proactive usage and participation of experts In nut shell, the meetings and workshops as a familiarization exercise not only creates a dedicated pool of experts for Vikaspedia but also to reach more number through them and facilitate their regular and active contribution. The rationale behind moving a project like Vikaspedia is to reach out to the target groups of our society. Hence, in order to derive tangible benefits from this programme, our intended beneficiaries would definitely try to locate their specific concerns and seek solutions for those in our project. So, in this context our task is clearly cut out. We need to facilitate an enabling environment by integrating the needs and aspirations of the people belonging to different age groups and occupations. This would create a holistic approach towards social development infused with the virtues of equity, justice, sustainability and inclusiveness. The driving force behind these would be the availability of *Choices* from among a range of alternatives. For instance, if we are aiming to connect with the Youth, then we must develop our content in an innovative manner furnishing information about Sports, Movies, Study materials( GK, Current Affairs and Specific Study materials for professional education) and online tutorials for students preparing for various competitive exams. We could also link vital sources providing needful insights on Skill Development and Vocational Education run by the Government to aware the youths about choosing their career paths and avenues for jobs. Similarly, if we want to reach out to the senior citizens, we should publish important places of pilgrimage or recreational activities meant for them. We can also help them by providing emergency numbers like Police, Hospital, Fire Stations that they could instantly access when caught in crisis. Incorporating gender equality is cornerstone of inclusive social economic growth. Hence, if we wish to cater to the needs of women, we address their particular requirements. For example, we can upload videos featuring cooking classes, household management which would serve them in performing their day to day household chores. By this way, we could effectively revitalize our Project by serving the needs and aspirations of various segments of our population and apprise them about the efficacy and dexterity of this venture which not only seeks to provide innovative ways to find answers to in enumerable questions but also constantly motivates, inspires and exhorts the Netizens to use Vikaspedia as a one stop solution portal to all existing and emerging real life situations in an increasingly digitized world.

Team members and their designations

Mrs. Gita Rout was appointed as the Team Leader who was supported by Mrs. Nibedita Pattanaik to translate, transliterate and digitize contents on target basis. Forming of State Expert Group consisting of members from six domains each for reviewing and validating data of all the domains

Activities taken up

Portal Content Management
For Critical Data: Contacting related line depts.; Contribution from Donor Organizations e.g. SIHFW, OVHA, OREDA etc. Collecting data/ information from other sources such as Internet, libraries, policy guidelines of different departments and other authentic sources. Collecting information in shape of articles, pictures, videos, FAQs from off-line volunteers like journalists, columnists, academicians etc. Value addition to the identified content via IEC and direct contact, presentation and dissemination. Digitization of (translation/ transliteration of availed data/ information)
Annual targets for SNAs
Create 10,000 pages of content in the local language of the state Each domain has to have a minimum of 1000 pages Involve at-least 500 volunteers to achieve the above Release monthly newsletter (one per month) on Vikaspedia Cover at least 30-40% of the districts in the state through a minimum of 5000 first level service providers
Popularizing the portal and volunteer creation
LAVS utilized its existing network across the state to create a cadre of volunteers
Capacity building forms an important part of the whole process because of the huge volunteer base the portal would like to attract and retain. The plan to achieve this is envisioned through a ‘cascading strategy’ where the nodal agencies at state level are imparted with technical training to maintain the portal and it’s interactive features. The SNAs in-turn built the capacities of the volunteers and experts to offer their knowledge services on the portal.
Organizing events
LAVS planned and organized events those would disseminate the concept of Vikaspedia among general public Organizing outreach events such as CSC level awareness programmes, District Level Workshops, State Level Workshop, State Expert Group Meet, Participation in as many programmes organized by the Govt., NGOs, educational institutes etc. and public places such as bus stops, railway stations etc. As a special instance, Vikaspedia was promoted in Public Hearings held jointly by District Administration Boudh District, Odisha and LAVS for land acquisition as a platform for popularization in rural and interior areas of the state.
Use of IEC materials
Using banners, posters, leaflets and handouts and newsletter among general public and volunteers for dissemination
Use of telecommunication methods
Contacting volunteers, content contributors and other stakeholders through electronic media
Use of social media:
Use of Face book, Twitter etc.
Recognizing the volunteer
Acknowledging contribution by volunteers through monthly newsletters
CRS
Using the Community Radio Centers active in the state to reach to maximum number of rural population.
Radio Muskan 90.4 MHz
Location- Masterpada, Phulbani, Kandhamal
Coverage population-1, 40, 000
Coverage blocks-Phulbani NAC & block, Khajuripada, Phiringia,
Coverage Population-1,03,000
Radio Dhimsa 90.4 MHz.
At/PO-Koraput
Coverage blocks-Koraput, Lamtaput( 60 villages of 6 panchayats)
Coverage Population-68,000
District Chapter
Establishment of District Level Chapter across the state for a greater outreach and collection of data/ information and Uploading District Level Information in the portal across the domains.
Publicity in
Krishi Jagran(Odia) Magazine: Krishi Jagran (KJ) is a farm based multi lingual colourful monthly magazine published in 12 Indian languages, 23 editions with a circulation all over the country. Among the 12 languages a Odia version is also published monthly with its office from Bhubaneswar. KJ in collaboration with KVK-Khordha under ICAR-CIFA, Bhubaneswar, Odisha is guiding its Odia version to make the contents more relevant to Odisha farmers and farm readers
Apart from 40,000 common rural readers and 1,20,000 face book followers, KJ has reached to the 33 Odisha KVKs, ICAR institutions, ATMA functionaries in all districts all over the state. The magazine also reaching to 314 FIAC (block levels) under different Deputy Director of Agricultures of Odsha. All the contents are being presented as per the understanding, livelihood and language of rural people. Politicians and bureaucrats are also regular readers of KJ odia and its social site.
Best Practices
Regular engagement with stakeholders for membership, feedback and content contribution Timely dispatch of E News Letter to registered members Campaigns and special drives for awareness and membership-State Workshop, District Workshop, Educational Institutions, Resource Agencies, Extension Centres, Places of Public Gathering-Exhibition/ Mela, Exploratory Meets with potential partners. Mobilization of a team of qualified subject experts responsive to client needs Delivery of content on demand “Matric Mantra” “Career Tips” etc was very popular with students; information on new schemes is liked and demanded.
Vikaspedia is being used by increased number of link workers engaged by NGOs/ Agencies positively impacting their knowledge skills and efficiency.
Capacity Building
Outreach program conducted in the following districts (Awareness programs and District Level Workshop).
• Dhenkanal- District Level Workshop and NSS Programs
• Gajapati- District Level Workshop and participated in programs organised by DFP.
• Koraput- District Level Workshop, Awareness through SNA ongoing Millet Mission programs.
• Kalahandi- Community Level Awareness Programs(Organised by CSC)
• Rayagada- Community Level Awareness Programs-Poshan Abhijan organised by Unicef
• Kandhamal- Community Level Awareness Programs- Youth Volunteers training program organized by ISD(Partner Organisation)
• Bolangir- Awareness Programs- National Social Service(NSS) Programs
• Malkangir- Awareness Programs- National Social Service(NSS) Programs
• Association with DFP(Directorate of Field Publicity) , Govt. Of India for outreach in 8 Aspirational Districts
• Community Radio Programs in 3 Districts
 Radio Muskan 90.4 MHz
 Location- Masterpada, Phulbani, Kandhamal
 Coverage population-1, 40, 000
 Coverage blocks-Phulbani NAC & block, Khajuripada, Phiringia,
 Coverage Population-1,03,000
 Radio Dhimsa 90.4 MHz.
 At/PO-Koraput
 Coverage blocks-Koraput, Lamtaput( 60 villages of 6 panchayats)
 Coverage Population-68,000
• Associate with SIRD training programs
 Identification of Training Resource Persons from the Eight Aspirational Districts
 Identification of Block Level Govt.Officers from the Eight Aspirational Districts.
• Association with NSS(National Social Services) and work with NSS volunteers in the eight Aspirational Districts
• Awareness Programs in Youth Convention which will cover youth from 12 Districts(Including the 8 Aspirational Districts)
• Awareness Programs at State-level children festival ‘Suravi’ to be organized by Odisha Primary Education Programme Authority(OPEPA) and World Food Program(WFP)
• Awareness Programs at Baliyatra –The Largest trade fair of Asia
• Awareness of Vikaspedia through Leaflet and Brochures distribution at Kalinga Book Fair