Background
The “Empowering Lives” event organized by Intel is about celebrating the 60 years of India Development (60th Independence year) by felicitating Principals, Teachers, Lectures, NGOs and students who have done exemplary work in innovative use of technology in their respective filed of work. The Event was held on December 10th 2007 at RV teachers college Auditorium, Bangalore.
 

Key Objectives of the Event

• To felicitate award winning schools, Principals, teachers and students from computerized government schools of Karnataka, who have excelled in promoting technology supported project based learning and won prizes under the 4th annual “Technology in Education” awards jointly conducted by Intel and DSERT.
• To felicitate local NGO partners of Intel like Prerana, Swayam, CEEIC, NBA for their outstanding contribution to Intel Community programs and to felicitate Visveswarya Technological University, Karnataka for supporting the Intel Higher Education program.
• Release of case study of Intel Education programs in Karnataka and release of Intel South Asia Corporate Social Responsibility Newsletter.
• Announcement of Intel and SSA Karnataka relationship for launching a open source based teacher training program for the first time in India.
   

Details

• Before the commencement of function, audience, Chief Guest and other dignitaries interacted with the winners over the project showcase. Dignitaries were impressed and appreciated the enthusiasm in students while students were explaining their projects.
• Mr. Ansul Sonak, Education Manager, Intel presented the welcome address and highlighted the collaboration of DSERT and The Intel Teach Program in Karnataka. He expressed that Intel has played a key role in promoting technology integration in the government schools of Karnataka.
• Mr. Rahul Bedi, Director Corporate Affairs Intel India in his address said “By felicitating teachers, pioneers and social entrepreneurs; we hope to inspire many for development and towards empowering lives of people”. He added “other than manufacturing we touch lives by supporting education and give them preview of technology-- bringing them close to the world. Now, Intel inside means empowering lives”.
• The event was a platform for Intel to announce the Intel SSA Karnataka relationship for launching an open source based teacher training program for the first time in India which would train 10,000 teachers in the state. Mr. Rahul Bedi announced the Intel SSA Karnataka Relationship for launching the program for primary teachers.
• The Intel one, Karnataka Case was released during the occasion by Mr. M N Vidya Shankar, IT Secretary, Govt of Karnataka and Mr. Praveen VishKantaiah, President, Intel India.
• The Intel South Asia Corporate Social Responsibility Newsletter was also released during the occasion by Prof. S Sadagopan and Mr. Rahul Bedi.
• Mr. M N Vidyashankar and Mr.Praveen Vishakantya distributed the school awards to the Head Masters of Seven winning schools.
• Prof. S Sadagopan and Mr. Rahul Bedi distributed the teacher awards to fourteen teachers.
• Student’s awards were distributed by CPI, Mr. Kumar Naik and Mr. Suryanaraya.
• Later Dignitaries felicitated local NGO partners of Intel like Prerana, Swayam, CEEIC, NBA for their outstanding contribution to Intel Community programs, also Felicitate Visveswarya Technological University, Karnataka for supporting the Intel Higher Education program and students who have done exemplary work in IRIS.
• Mr. Vidyashankar addressed the function on “Empowering lives through IT”. He was concerned that having the youngest population in the world there is a need to implement the appropriate policies. He said “technology gives us the opportunity to develop and we have to use it to the optimum”. He was glad at the large number of awards bagged by schools and students of rural Karnataka.
• Mr. Praveen Vishakantaiah was excited over the developments made by Intel. He said “Intel has always contributed to the community. And I believe by enabling the teachers and students in their growth we can create a milestone in education. Intel’s job is to make technology available to them to leverage opportunities and create a sustained momentum. Passion is an essential criterion for the teachers and students and technology can help you in this”.
• Mr. Suryanarayan, gave the Vote of Thanks on behalf of Intel.