The remote villages in Dindigul and Theni districts face significant economic challenges, primarily due to their heavy reliance on agriculture-based livelihoods. As agricultural work is largely seasonal and unpredictable, the majority of families—especially those of landless agricultural laborers—struggle to maintain a steady income. This economic hardship severely limits their ability to support their children's continued education, often resulting in school dropouts between the 8th and 10th standards.
These dropouts not only miss out on completing their basic education but are also deprived of access to vocational training opportunities such as Industrial Training Institutes (I.T.I.) and other skill-based educational pathways. In response to this pressing issue, CHANARD (Centre for Human Assistance in National Advancement Rural Development) has taken proactive steps to address the educational and economic gap in the region.
As part of its youth empowerment initiative, CHANARD established the Do lphin Computer Centre in Batlagundu. This center serves as a pivotal platform to equip school dropout children and unemployed youth with essential computer skills and digital literacy. In collaboration with KALVI Institute of IT Education, Dolphin Computer Centre provides certified, affordable computer education, enrolling 50 students every six months in structured training batches. These programs are conducted by dedicated, professionally trained staff, following a well-planned computer education curriculum that ensures quality learning outcomes.
Expanding its impact further, CHANARD – Dolphin Computers, in partnership with the Tamil Nadu Urban Livelihood Mission (TNULM), offers free computer training programs to urban youth. These programs are aimed at reducing poverty and vulnerability among urban poor households by equipping students with in-demand technical and professional skills. One key offering under this initiative is the Telecom Customer Care Executive Course, which prepares trainees for employment in customer service roles within the telecom sector—one of the growing industries offering steady income and career progression.
By combining education with real-world employment pathways, CHANARD – Dolphin Computers is not only providing skill development opportunities but also enabling rural and urban youth to become self-reliant, confident contributors to the economy. The program's dual focus on self-employment and skilled wage employment is building a foundation for sustainable development and long-term community upliftment.
