Asha inaugurated its 14th Rural Technology Center (RTC) at Vannikonendal, Thirunelveli, its first RTC in the district.

Rural Technology Center Vannikonendal Inauguration

Asha Chennai inaugurated its 14^th Rural Technology Center on 19 June, 2026 at Vannikonendal, Tirunelveli, Tamilnadu. This RTC is the 4^th centre under Asha’s Project Pearl in Thoothukudi.

You may view the album here.

Asha’s runs RTCs in partnership with Pravartak (subsidiary of IIT Madras). We provide free computer science education to government school students, offering courses ranging from Digital Literacy and Scratch Programming to advanced courses such as Web Development, Animation, and Media Editing. Robotics and Artificial Intelligence are the latest additions to the curriculum, helping students gain exposure to emerging technologies. You may read more about it here.

Asha’s RTCs which benefit nearly 1,000 students across Tamilnadu are currently active in these locations-

Setting up the RTC

The work of setting up the RTC began in April 2026. Asha’s Pearl project coordinator, Mr. Murugan worked on getting the place ready. We got the electrical work done, installed 6 fans, workstations, 5 benches, table and chair for front office, and modem.

Inauguration Ceremony

Generally, Asha RTCs are paired with a school where the RTC teachers visit and teach the students for 3 hours every week. Here, we are paired with GHSS Vannikonendal which has around 650 students from class 6 to 12. Asha currently runs its Explore program in the school. It should be noted that last year, one of the classes in the school also completed the ACE program.

The inauguration ceremony began with a visit to GHSS Vannikonendal. Asha volunteers Mr. Rajaraman, Mr. Bhaskar, Ms. Joystna, and Mr. Shiva, along with Asha’s Project Coordinator at Thoothukudi, Mr. Murugan visited the school during the morning assembly. They met with the Assistant HM, Ms. Sumathi who welcomed them to the school.

Mr. Bhaskar spoke about the history of Asha and specifically the long association Asha has had with the Thoothukudi and Thirunelveli districts through Project Pearl. He spoke about the programs such as SPRINT, Karadipath, Explore, ACE and RTCs which are run by Asha across various districts. He also spoke about Asha’s experience in managing the RTCs successfully and the opportunities and exposure presented to students.

Mr. Rajaraman then addressed the students informing them about the new RTC established. He spoke about the importance of learning computers and the implications of digital knowledge in workforce in the future. Since the RTCs offer both basic and advanced courses, he urged the students to make use of the opportunity and learn at the RTCs.

Following the assembly, the team proceeded to the RTC accompanied by the Panchayat President, the Headmasters of GHSS and PUPS Vannikonendal, RTC teachers, and members of the local community. Mr. Rajaraman, together with the RTC teachers, cut the ribbon to inaugurate the center. The dignitaries also lit the kuttu vilakku, marking the auspicious beginning.

Since the volunteers could not meet the RTC students in the morning, Mr. Rajaraman and Mr. Bhaskar revisited the center in the evening to interact with students and their families.

More than the address by the volunteers, what made the event particularly engaging and interesting was the large number of children from feeder schools who have already engaged with Asha Chennai’s computer science programs in various way. This included PUPS Koovachipatti, PUMS Athikinaru, PUPS Vannikonenthal and also from the ACE program in GHSS Vannikonenthal etc. They shared their experience learning computers so far, the projects they had done and their participation in the various Impressions events. They were really excited to continue their journey with the new RTC and the excitement was contagious!

Student enrollments have already begun and more than 120 students have signed up, signaling an exciting start for the new center. The RTC will operate in two evening batches (4:30–6:00 and 6:00–7:30), and four batches on Saturdays and holidays. The RTC will start by offering Digital Literacy and Scratch Programming courses.

RTC Vannikonendal will be a two teacher RTC and will be led by Ms. P. Nithya and Ms. S. Tamilselvi. We wish Ms. Nithya, Ms. Tamilselvi, and all the students at the Vannikonendal RTC a successful and enriching journey ahead.