Karnataka turns to Alexa to make libraries friendly for the differently-abled

Karnataka’s Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Priyank Kharge on July 1 launched 'Tarangini programme' under which Alexa devices will be provided to these Arivu Kendras (rural knowledge centres).

To make rural libraries more accessible to the differently abled, the Karnataka government has begun distributing Alexa devices.

On July 1, Karnataka’s rural development and panchayat raj Priyank Kharge launched 'Tarangini programme' under which Alexa devices will be provided to these Arivu Kendras (rural knowledge centres).

In the first phase, 200 Alexa assistive devices were distributed to Arivu Kendras in the Zilla Panchayats of Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Kolar, Chikkaballapur, and Ramanagara.

“This initiative will benefit many individuals with visual disabilities and those who primarily rely on listening as a mode of learning. Alexa will be a significant and useful addition to the services offered at rural Arivu Kendras, helping library supervisors engage with all sections of the community,” Kharge said.

Alexa is user-friendly and accessible for students, teachers, parents, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities, he said.

“It enables easy access to information, enhances learning, and saves time. Students can use Alexa to track events on their calendar, access study materials, and schedule appointments with mentors or advisors - all without needing to open a computer. It is also useful for teachers in planning lessons for their upcoming classes,” he said.

The initiative has been rolled out in partnership with United Way Bengaluru and is supported by CSR funds from State Street.

Kharge said that Arivu Kendras have evolved from traditional libraries into multifunctional centres that now provide digital learning content, career guidance, constitutional literacy, inclusive technologies for persons with disabilities, and expert-led knowledge sessions. “Today, all Arivu Kendras in rural Karnataka have been digitised,” he said.

There are 5,888 active Arivu Kendras in rural Karnataka, of which 5,767 have been digitised, the minister said.

Additional chief secretary (panchayat raj) Uma Mahadevan said Karnataka has 5,888 rural libraries and 6,599 more were planned.

She added efforts were on to provide Alexa support in Kannada as well. “It’s now available only in English, but we will provide Kannada-enabled Alexa devices in a phased manner,” Mahadevan said.

To improve rural library services, Kharge said several organisations signed memorandums of understanding to run free programmes at Arivu Kendras.

Key collaborators include the Centre for Budget and Policy Studies for educational modules and supervisor training; the Science Gallery Bengaluru for learning experience tools and Indian Institute of Astrophysics for astronomy awareness.

Kalike (TATA) is working on elderly well-being in 300 Gram Panchayats, while the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology is offering tech-based skill training. Pallium India is supporting palliative care initiatives, Stichting BRAC International is aiding ultra-poor women and families in Kalyana Karnataka and other districts, and Indian Institute for Human Settlements is studying and advising on improvements in rural crèches.