India’s steps to build a Digital India
The National Digital Literacy Mission (NDLM), a public initiative that aims to make at least one person in every family digitally literate, is well under way as different stakeholders look to target specific groups of society.
For instance, tribal villages are receiving computers and will have basic computer training programmes launched for their youth. Mitra Foundation’s chairman said that “Our endeavour is aimed at creating computer awareness and improving tribal children’s skill sets so that we can take one step ahead towards achieving goals of Digital India Campaign”. (DNA India)
In the state of Chhattisgarh, people that have a below poverty line status are receiving computer training and given the basic skills to be able to use digital devices. This specific project, called e-literacy, is expected to be particularly beneficial to rural areas where training will be given at home.
Women are also receiving special training in the state of Andhra Pradesh as an effort to “see that they do not lag behind in the digital age and are ready to use the digital tools to empower themselves”. On a pay it forward basis, three women will receive specific training to help others in their district, and they shall in return train others.
The various projects leading to the accomplishment of the NDLM’s goals have so far been very successful and the government’s deadline to make 5.250 million people digitally literate has been brought forward by a year – now at the end of 2016 as opposed to 2017. (Economic Times)