Kerala pioneers India’s first library-based inclusive innovation hub: Minister Roshy Augustine inaugurates STRIDE maker studio

KOTTAYAM: In a landmark move toward social equity and technological empowerment, the Minister for Water Resources, Roshy Augustine, officially inaugurated the STRIDE Maker Studio at the Sarvodaya Library in Valakkayam. This pioneering project marks the establishment of India’s first library-based inclusive innovation hub, specifically designed to manufacture assistive technological devices for individuals with visual impairment and other physical challenges.

Addressing the gathering, Minister Roshy Augustine described the STRIDE Maker Studio as a vital stepping stone in Kerala’s journey toward becoming a global inclusive innovation hub. He emphasized that the project creates a specialized ecosystem for children with disabilities, providing them with the necessary tools to navigate daily life independently. By integrating this production center into a library—a space traditionally dedicated to public education—the initiative aims to foster a profound social shift that ensures no one is left behind in the digital age.

The inaugural ceremony also witnessed the immediate impact of the project, as Braille learning devices manufactured within the studio were distributed to students from the Kalakettu Assisi School of the Blind. This gesture underscored the studio’s core mission: transforming the traditional concept of a library from a passive repository of books into an active center of production and problem-solving.

Robin Tommy, Executive Director of the Social Enterprises and Inclusion Division at K-DISC, noted that this initiative democratizes innovation by bringing technology directly to the community level. The project is a collaborative effort between the Kerala Development and Strategic Council (K-DISC), St. Ephrem’s Community, and Amal Jyothi College of Engineering, Kanjirappally. It serves as a blueprint for a larger state-wide vision to replicate this inclusive model across more than 1,000 libraries in Kerala.

The event was presided over by Shri N. Jayaraj, MLA, and attended by a distinguished panel of guests including local government leaders, representatives from the District and Taluk Library Councils, and faculty from partner institutions. Together, they celebrated the studio’s commitment to providing knowledge-based training for students and teachers while collaborating with engineering colleges to refine assistive designs. Through the STRIDE Maker Studio, Kerala is reimagining social participation, effectively bridging the local digital divide and ensuring that cutting-edge technology serves the needs of every citizen.