Ernakulam: M A Abdullah Moulavi of Asamannoor panchayat in Ernakulam district has become a shining example of Kerala’s digital literacy drive—and a powerful symbol of how age need not be a barrier to learning. At 104, he now begins each morning by unlocking his son’s smartphone, browsing social media reels, tuning into prayer songs on YouTube, and even video-calling his grandson overseas.
Abdullah is one of nearly 2.2 million Kerala residents who have gained digital fluency through the transformative “Digi Keralam” initiative, a project launched by the Local Self-Government Department in 2022 to mirror the state’s historic total literacy campaign. Despite expectations that the target demographic would be younger, it welcomed learners of all ages like Abdullah demonstrating inclusive outreach in action.
Volunteers adapted to his longstanding daily routine to provide personalised training that enabled him to confidently navigate smartphones. The support helped Abdullah not only with basic functions like messaging and calling—but also empowered him to independently access news, spiritual content, and stay connected with loved ones abroad.
His son noted the transformation: “He used to rely on others for news; now he accesses it himself.” Abdullah’s journey has become emblematic of Kerala’s broader leap toward digital equality. With 99.98% of participants achieving basic digital skills, Kerala is set to be formally declared India’s first fully digitally literate state by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
