Computers and ministers: Aamma's the word in TN

CHENNAI: Waking up to the need to keep in step with the times, the Tamil Nadu government is now keen on making its Cabinet computer literate. And the ministers will begin their education with the word ''Aamma''!
The state information and technology minister D Jayakumar announced that from April 28 all ministers would have to enrol themselves for a computer training programme organised by the department which would continue till May 21.
This is an extension of the computer training programme that the MLAs are undergoing. Replying to a question in the assembly, Jayakumar said the MLAs could continue their course from their native constituencies.
Stressing on the importance of computer education Jayakumar said: "If you ignore computers, computers will ignore you."

While appreciation for the programme was forthcoming from MLAs cutting across party lines, CPI MLA from Mannargudi, V Sivapunniyam, pointed out that the instructors of the computer programme began teaching the MLAs with the word Aamma (mother), the term used by the AIADMK functionaries to address the state chief minister and party supremo J Jayalalithaa.
Sivapunniyam added that thanks to computers the MLAs have now learnt to paint their party symbols on the computer.
While the AIADMK MLAs painted the two- leaves symbol and etched ''Aamma'' on the screen, their party colleagues drew the corns with sickles.