Information and communication technology for livelihood development: Micro perspective in kollam district, Kerala Ravi R. Venkata1, Director, Aryanathu V.2, Research Scholars, Ramesh S.3, Research Scholars 1Centre for Entrepreneurship Developmen, Gandhigram Rural Institute (Deemed to be University), Gandhigram 2Gandhigram Rural Institute (Deemed to be University), Gandhigram 3Gandhigram Rural Institute (Deemed to be University), Gandhigram Abstract The contemporary Indian Development Process has opened up a variety of opportunity to enable the livelihood in term of sustainable in nature. The word “livelihood” is more familiar in the Indian economy, since inception of planning period. The livelihood means ‘as to being a living or a means for subsistence’, as those particular economic activities that provide income. General definition of a livelihood development is that comprising the capabilities, assets and activities of a human being to enhance their opportunity for attaining sustainability in their life perspective(Chambers and Conway 1992)1. For enabling the sustainable development in livelihood the employment is more imperative which [Employment and Livelihood] are called two sides of the same coin. The skills and abilities that enable a person to be employed that is called “employability”2. Employment can be from three sectors - primary, secondary and tertiary sectors, otherwise it is called agriculture, industry and service sector. In the 21st century, most of them move from primary to tertiary sector. Nowadays, each and every aspects of day-today life are influenced by the technology and its usage. Therefore, the technology is enhancing the employability of a person, rather than working as impediment. Further, the application of technology is essential to improve the livelihood opportunities in the current socio-economic scenario. Information and Communication Technology (ICT), is one among the various technologies available for improving the livelihood opportunities in the contemporary society. The ICT is facilitating the process of sharing information as resource among the people who access and manage the livelihood options. Nowadays, the availability and use of ICT Gadgets opened up new avenue of livelihood options. It means that business and servicing of ICT Gadgets is one of the business enterprises, that is livelihood option. The ICT enable to share information and bring innovative ideas in the process of enterprise promotion or livelihood options to increase their economic activities. Skills are the central point of increasing the livelihood opportunities and employment; so, the technology and its application is relevant for enhancing livelihood opportunities an its management. In this context, this paper is an attempt in presenting various livelihood opportunities through ICT in rural area of Kollam district, Kerala. The paper is made on the micro level study which derived based on the case study method in the selected habitations of the Kollam district, Kerala. Top Keywords ICT, Enabling Technology and Livelihood Opportunity, Employment Rural Development. Top |