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Swipe Right on Age: Kerala’s 104-Year-Old Embraces the Smartphone Age

Swarnadwip Nath Published Aug 17, 2025, 12:11 PM Updated Sep 16, 2026, 05:17 PM

In an inspiring tale that bridges generations, Kerala’s digital revolution is finding its most unlikely—and heartening—champions. At the heart of this narrative is M A Abdullah Moulavi, a 104-year-old from Asamannoor in Ernakulam, who has not only mastered using a smartphone but...

A Centenarian’s Clicks—Kerala’s Digital Renaissance

Gone are the days when “tech-savvy” was a label reserved for the young. Abdullah, who not long ago could only make calls on a basic feature phone, is now navigating YouTube to watch devotionals, video-calling his grandson abroad, and even browsing Facebook with ease. His remarkable leap is emblematic of the larger “Digi Keralam” movement—a state-led initiative that has empowered more than 2.1 million Keralites, including over 15,000 above the age of 90, to become digitally literate.

Abdullah’s transformation owes much to his family and Digi Keralam volunteers, who taught him the basics using his son’s smartphone. His grandkids became patient teachers, and the program’s support continued until Abdullah handled his device with self-reliance and pride. For the centenarian, digital learning has not just been about technology, but about staying connected with loved ones and rejuvenating his sense of independence in late life.

Digi Keralam: More Than a Campaign, A Movement

Launched by Kerala’s Local Self-Government Department in September 2022, the Digi Keralam program aimed to do more than just teach people how to swipe and tap—it sought to bridge the digital gap across the state, bringing e-governance and digital services to every household, regardless of age or background. Trained volunteers, student activists, Kudumbasree group members, and NSS cadets together formed the engine of this massive effort, which included:

Surveying 8.3 million families to identify over 2.18 million digitally illiterate individuals
Delivering personalized training at homes, worksites, and community centers
Covering the basics—turning devices on/off, messaging, digital payments, accessing government services, and staying safe online

With a 99.98% success rate and thousands of elderly learners, Kerala is now poised to be declared the first state in India to achieve total digital literacy. The official announcement is set for August 21, 2025, at a function in Thiruvananthapuram.

Real-Life Stories, Real Impact

Kerala’s success echoes through its villages: 79-year-old Sarasu, once skeptical about digital learning, now runs a YouTube channel, while 80-year-old Sulochana navigates government portals unaided. For many, digital skills have meant increased access to financial benefits, e-health services, and the ability to keep in touch with family across the globe during tough times like the pandemic.

Pullampara panchayat—a rural pocket near the state capital—pioneered digital literacy for senior citizens, inspired during lockdown when elders struggled to access wage credits. The model taught even those over 90 to handle smartphones, access vital services, and remain active, respected members of their communities.

Beyond Technology—Empowerment and Aspiration

Experts say Kerala’s achievement is as much social as it is technological. By erasing the stereotype of the “digitally challenged elder,” the program has fostered intergenerational dialogue and pride in lifelong learning. Now, senior citizens are no longer bystanders in the digital age—they are active participants, voicing their needs and enjoying new freedoms.

Jeromic George, Principal Director of the Local Self-Government Department, sums it up: “This was not just a government programme, but a people’s movement, connecting generations and communities.”

Looking Forward

With Kerala set to become India’s first “digitally literate” state, Abdullah’s story stands as a beacon for the nation—proof that age is no bar to digital empowerment. The digital revolution here is rewriting not just the roles of individuals, but the very fabric of community and progress.

Sources: Hindustan Times, The Week, Mathrubhumi, Indian Express, Madhyamam

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