Training Goal:

• Enabling Karmadhyakshyays to monitor the process of Decentralised Information Management Initiative and provide supportive supervision to all the subsequent stakeholders at Panchayat Samiti and block level.
   

• Enabling Panchayat Samiti Sabhapatis to analyse development indicators and plan subsequent actions in collaboration with the Block Development Officer.

Training Objectives:

• Familiarising computers and basic software to elected representatives of Barddhaman district. The elected representatives include both Karmadhyakshyays of Zilla Parishad as well as Sabhapatis of Panchayat Samitis.
   

• Enabling them to analyse information on a Geographic Information System and plan subsequent steps for improvement.
   

• Enabling them to use computers easily and understand it so that computer fright does not become a hindrance later.
   

• Making them familiar with the internet, sending and receiving emails, basic tenets of information technology and understanding the importance for monitoring and planning strategic action in their own area.
  
   

Training Report
 

Trainers welcomed the elected candidates of Burdwan district and explained the goals and objectives of the Decentralised Information Management Initiative (DIMI) at the commencement of the first day training. The elected candidates of Burdwan district had no prior knowledge in computer. So the trainers introduced them with different physical parts of computer. They realized that the monitor is not a computer; it is only a part of a computer to display the results. Trainers explained them the basic relation between hardware and software. They learnt to create a folder and save a file into it. Some of them found that to gain control over mouse is really difficult. They played some games to gain control over mouse.

At the second half they entered into the Geographic Information System (GIS). Trainers introduced them with the facilities of GIS. They started with census India. In this session they learnt to search any location, see any census related information and build query on Sex ration (0-6 yrs.), Literacy rate etc.

At the second day morning training started with MS-Word. They could type letter, change font colour and size, insert table. After lunch break trainers introduced them with the new module MS-Excel. They could type into spreadsheet. They could solve simple calculation using formulas. They could create chart from colour coded data. After a small break they were introduced with the five copies of blank forms which will be filled up by BDO Office for information relating to AWC, education, health etc. Trainees told that they will co-operate with BDO to complete the job.

The third day training started with Internet. Trainers introduced them with the modern communication technology. They learnt to browse different sites. They could send and receive email to each other. Some of the trainees were amazed as they saw their picture in the Internet while they were browsing the Website www.trendswestbengal.org. Some of the trainees told that they will manage to bring the Internet connection in the block office.