Tele-Fisheries and Tsunami Alert System Launched in Alappad

The Mata Amritanandamayi Math (MAM), in connection with the ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization), has been establishing Amrita ISRO Village Resource Centers across the country using satellite technology to bring knowledge, medical care, educational, and economical resources to remote areas.

Today, the Amrita ISRO Village Resource Center launched Tele-Fisheries and Tsunami Alert Systems at the fisheries harbour in Azhikkal, Alappad Panchayat, Kerala.

The systems were inaugurated by Sri. S. Sharma, the Honourable Minister of Fisheries, Harbour Management & Registration of Kerala. During the function, a Tele-Fisheries Information Board was unveiled which will display data regarding the three best fishing locations as determined through the ISRO satellite. The board will be updated with new information every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

The fisheries harbour will also be home to Alappad's Tsunami Alert System. Attached to the board is a siren which will sound should another wave threaten the community.

Other Amrita ISRO Village Resource Centers have been established in the Kerala villages of Kalpetta, Putiyakavu, Parippally, Srayikkad, Amritapuri, Manantavadi, as well as the Tamil Nadu villages of Nagapattinam and Ettimidai. These are bringing Tele-Education, Tele-Agriculture and Tele-Medicine knowledge to the local communities. Aside from these online programs, there are a number of off-line programs, including skill training, eco-development, capacity building programs, debates and seminars.

Since the VCR program's inception in July 2005 {news}, 70 such online and offline programs have been organised in various sectors with 11,050 people participating.