By TIOL News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, JAN 05, 2014: AT the foundation laying down ceremony of TCS Global Learning Centre, the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, said that the proposed Global Learning Centre of TCS will be the largest facility for Information Technology training in the city of Thiruvananthapuram. When fully functional, it will be able to train about 50,000 associates annually. It will also conduct holistic professional and personal development programs for TCS professionals. The Centre, which proposes to integrate elegant design, ecological thinking and modern technology, will set global benchmarks for corporate learning institutions, he added.

Dr Singh said that TCS is also setting up a software development Special Economic Zone in Thiruvananthapuram. The Global Learning Centre will further enhance the presence of TCS in the State of Kerala and Thiruvananthapuram in particular. He said that TCS is a shining example of the success of Indian private enterprises in the last 20 years or so. It has carved a niche for itself in the global market for IT and IT-enabled services and has set benchmarks of excellence in the area of software development, he added.

The PM expressed happiness over TCS being alive to the need for helping the society. It has taken up several projects in the areas of education, health and environment. The company has made a significant contribution to education through its Adult Literacy Programme which has covered nearly two lakh beneficiaries so far. Its BPO employability programme has trained over 22,000 graduates belonging to the weaker sections, many of whom have also been provided gainful employment in the company. TCS has also partnered with the National Skill Development Corporation under Project Udaan to upgrade the skill sets of Kashmiri youth and enable their mainstreaming with corporate India. In the area of health, the company has used its expertise in IT to develop an integrated Hospital Management System which is being used by several hospitals and social organizations.

Dr Singh observed that the IT sector in India has witnessed phenomenal growth over the past several years, particularly in the area of software development. The Government stands committed to providing an enabling environment which encourages the sector to grow even further. Pursuant to recommendations of the Rangachary Report, several taxation issues confronting the IT sector have been addressed. The Govt is also engaged in the resolution of issues pertaining to immigration and visas. The Govt is trying to improve the hardware ecosystem in the country and are exploring the establishment of two semiconductor wafer fabrication manufacturing facilities.

At another event organised by the Kerala State Government, the Prime Minister attended the launch of E-literacy Project to be implemented by Panicker Vigyan Vikas Kendra, commended the Government of Kerala for setting up an institution to perpetuate the memory of the Mr P N Panicker. He expressed his happiness that the Vikas Kendra is taking the lead to make Kerala the first e-literate state of the country, in collaboration with the Central and State Governments and Civil Society Organizations.

The PM said that the Total E-literacy Campaign to be implemented using the tools of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) will help in reducing the digital divide. This will contribute to improvements in the living standards of the underprivileged population of the State.