Recipient Institution:
Grammena Patna Kendram

Karakulam Post, Thiruvantapuram, Kerala 695564
INDIA

Tel/Fax: 91 471 2371463
Email:info@iitcgpk.org

Project Leader:
Suhruth Kumar

Amount and Duration: US$ 20,211 / 11 months

Commencement Date:
1 January 2004

Abstract of Project
Unsung among us is a project about people and culture which are around us but we don't see them. They made our immediate environment but still we fail to recognize them. Their voices go unheard.

Development of ICT and globalization is creating a global culture. Domination of this super culture is destroying cultural and linguistic diversity, slowly destroying our common heritage, our past. Many of the marginalized communities hold wealth of knowledge which will be lost for ever if we don't work quickly to preserve them. Their voices have to be heard and their social and economic issues have to be addressed.

While allowing for a global culture, ICT also provides for addressing the issues of 'Unsung among us'. This project aims to study and demonstrate how ICT can be use for the same. Project will use ICT and New Media for preserving our past, our cultural heritage. It provides for small and marginalized communities among us to get their voice heard.

Development in digital technologies leads to lower cost in content creation. With a small digital camera one can capture the culture, skill, life style etc of their community. Internet enables them to be heard across the globe. Multimedia CD ROMs will form digital records of various local culture and knowledge.

This project aims to develop methodologies for creation of local content through local capacity building. Project is expected to generate interest in creation of content locally. Basic information infrastructure for dissemination of local content will be established. These 'Unsung' communities among us forms great pool of knowledge which are particularly relevant when we look into sustainable development models. Their models are deep rooted in their culture. Project will showcase these models from a holistic perspective.