500 Anganwadi Children to Get E-Slates in Mangalore: Initiative by Cyber Security Expert Ananth Prabhu

After the state government decided to reopen preprimary schools, a group of volunteers have come forward to donate e-slates to 500 children on Children’s Day (November 14). The initiative is the brainchild of cyber security expert Ananth Prabhu G and his friend Azzfar Razack and is aimed at introducing technology to children at a young age. Ananth Prabhu said that parents have been constantly asking for tips on how restrict use of mobile phones among children, so they feel that an early acquaintance with technology may deter children from misusing it at a later stage. It will also help students in case they are allergic to chalk, which is needed while using a regular slate.

Last year, Prabhu and Razack had launched a ‘gift a toy’ programme and since then Prabhu travels with toys in the boot of his car. Mr Prabhu said that while shopping for toys, he came across these writing tablets and searched for them on the internet. Since it is available for Rs 250, he decided to donate them to 38 kids at the Balawadi near Pandeshwar. When the shopowner got to know about it. he reduced the price to 195 after which Mr Prabhu decided to give about 250 e-slates to children. When he wrote about the campaign on social media, several people came forward to contribute. Donations are transferred directly to the shopowners account.

Ananth Prabhu and his friend Azzfar Razack have planned to distribute e-slates to at least 10 anganwadis and artist Anudeep Karkera has volunteered to conduct drawing classes in these anganwadis for three days. A contest will be held in each of the 10 anganwadis on Children’s Day, where students will be asked to draw the map of India on the he eslate and the best one will be rewarded.