KanchiLom aims to develop the weaver community of 3 villages within Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, into a digitally enabled cluster for socio-economic growth using new technologies, designs, using scaled-up traditional weaving methods, employing ICT tools and digital connectivity for marketing and sales.
“We strongly believe that digital inclusion is an important pillar for socio-economic growth. Our collaboration and support for social development programs focus on the use of technology to enable equal access to opportunities in education and training for all sections of society,” said Amit Marwah, head of Customer Marketing and Communications for Nokia India.
The Cluster Resource Centre (CRC), which is the centre point of this program is an integrated digital resource center allowing weavers access to advanced designing softwares for combining the traditional designs with modern sensibilities for new markets. CRC will also offer basic digital literacy, training in using advanced designing softwares, wireless networking workshops and digital information services to the local population. It will serve as a cluster wireless network that will provide wireless broadband connectivity to schools, health centers and Anganwadi Kendra for overall development of the community.
“We are delighted to partner with Nokia for the overall growth of the weaver community in Kanchipuram. We believe that KanchiLoom program will truly transform the lives of the weavers by providing them with training and access to the internet and wireless connectivity. The entrepreneurs in the region will further benefit from the e-commerce portal and specific entrepreneurship training provided as part of the initiative,” said Osama Manzar, Founder-Director, Digital Empowerment Foundation.
With the help of an e-Commerce portal, open access to direct market for weavers and reduced dependence upon the middle-men is eventually bound to impact the livelihood of these people positively.
