Village Information Centre (VIC)

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) through Village Information Centres (VICs) have apparently become one of the better initiatives of SIFFS that enhance the quality of the life of fishing communities.

Deploying ICT to a good extent, the VICs of SIFFS do play as a Facilitating Agent between the Community and the Government and, moreover, the local communities consider the VICs as a reliable Information and Communication Agent. The fisher folks have started treating the centres as owned by their community by providing basic amenities such as free space and electricity to run, and leaders of local bodies participate in the process of service selection at VIC level.

VICs promote quality education by providing computer training, awareness sessions and seminar to the student community. VICs also provided support to the existing community based organisations like Karayogams, Parishes and Village Panchayats of Fishermen Communities in South India. These local bodies used the facilities of VICs for awareness creation on ‘Safety at Sea’, Fisheries and Health related issues.