In support of the Government’s Digital India initiative, Nasscom Foundation and DXC Technology joined forces to advance a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. Focused on two key endeavours, boosting digital literacy in aspiring districts and bridging the skill divide among India’s youth in tier 2 and 3 cities, Nidhi Bhasin, CEO of Nasscom Foundation, and Nachiket Sukhtankar, Managing Director of DXC Technology in India, revealed the substantial strides made over the past year in realising a digitally inclusive society and nurturing a proficient workforce in the nation.
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The collaboration between Nasscom Foundation and DXC Technology aims to address the digital divide in the country. “We empower marginalised communities by enabling them with digital access, digital literacy and e-governance facilities,” says Nachiket Sukhtankar, Managing Director – India at DXC Technology.
DXC’s CSR Programme encompasses a multidimensional approach towards aligning our core values with our community outreach as we strive to drive revolutionary changes across the fields of Education and Digital literacy, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Environmental Sustainability.
DXC’s collaboration with Nasscom Foundation embodies its commitment to social responsibility, and its vision of leveraging technology for community empowerment and bridging the digital gap in rural India.
Aligned with its corporate social responsibility objectives, the partnership aims to empower marginalised communities through digital literacy and e-governance initiatives. By leveraging its expertise and resources, DXC plays a pivotal role in driving positive change and socio-economic transformation in rural areas, contributing to inclusive growth and fostering sustainable development.
How resource centres are contributing to bridging the digital literacy gap in aspirational districts
The resource centres play a crucial role in bridging the digital literacy gap in aspirational districts through several key mechanisms:
i. Accessibility: Centres located at block or district levels ensure proximity and ease of access to digital resources and training
ii. Digital Infrastructure: Equipped with computers, laptops, and the internet, centres offer essential tools for digital literacy and skill development.
iii. Educational Resources: Varied digital and physical resources cater to diverse learning preferences, enhancing comprehensive learning experiences.
iv. Language Accessibility: Disseminating information in multiple languages promotes inclusivity in accessing digital content.
v. Targeted Outreach: Prioritising marginalised communities addresses disparities in technology access and education
vi. Community Engagement: Activities like awareness campaigns foster local interest and participation in digital literacy
vii. Empowerment: Training Digital Ambassadors creates a sustainable support network for ongoing digital literacy education
“Overall, these resource centres serve as pivotal hubs for promoting digital literacy, providing access to resources and training, and empowering communities to navigate the digital world effectively in aspirational districts,” Nachiket Sukhtankar adds.
What strategies are being employed to ensure that the establishment of these Resource Centres aligns with the broader vision of the Digital India initiative and contributes effectively to building a digitally empowered society?
“The Digital India initiative aims to turn India into a digitally empowered society and a knowledge-driven economy. Our goal aligns with supporting India in achieving this vision to foster inclusive growth.,” says Nidhi Bhasin, CEO, of Nasscom Foundation.
The establishment of Digital Resource Centers (DRCs) is geared towards bridging the digital divide, thereby playing a vital role in granting technology access and fostering digital literacy among community members, including youth, women, senior citizens, and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
Furthermore, these centres aid community members in accessing government welfare schemes via E-Governance services. This is facilitated through training sessions led by trained Digital Ambassadors, who, being deeply integrated within the communities, are adept at understanding and addressing the unique challenges of imparting technological training.
“Our concerted efforts with government bodies at both district and block levels ensure that DRCs are pivotal in community development. Such strategic partnerships heighten the DRCs’ visibility and accessibility, making a significant portion of the local population aware of the centres’ existence and their purpose,” Nidhi Bhasin, CEO, of Nasscom Foundation adds.
CASE STORY
Tanushree UmajiBorkar, a Digital Ambassador from Gilgaon village in Gadchiroli district, Maharashtra, has made significant strides in transforming her community through digital literacy and government scheme facilitation. Over the past year, Tanushree has played a pivotal role in guiding residents through the complexities of various government schemes, such as Ayushman Bharat, Abha Card, Mahatma Phule Jan ArogyaYojana, E Shram Card, and Aadhaar updates.
Initially, Tanushree encountered numerous challenges. A significant hurdle was the outdated Aadhaar information of many citizens, which barred them from enrolling in essential schemes. Scepticism among villagers, who feared these initiatives were scams, further complicated her efforts. Nevertheless, Tanushree’s persistence and dedication to educating her community paid off. She successfully organised Aadhaar update camps, making it easier for residents to access other vital schemes and convincing them of their legitimacy and benefits.
Tanushree went the extra mile to explain the utilisation and advantages of schemes like the Ayushman Bharat Yojana. She highlighted how these schemes are critical for the community, emphasising that updates and enrolments could be done locally and at no extra cost, contrasting with the fees charged at Setu Kendra.
Her efforts have not only brought substantial benefits to her community but have also rewarded her personally. Through her diligent work, Tanushree was able to purchase a motorcycle for her family and gold earrings for her mother, making her parents immensely proud.
Tanushree’s journey has been one of personal growth and community recognition. From a shy individual hesitant to engage with others, she has transformed into a confident and well-known figure in her village.
Her role required her to visit homes to educate about the schemes, a task she performed with increasing ease as her efforts were recognised and appreciated by the community.
Currently, Tanushree is imparting knowledge of ‘Digital and Financial Literacy,’ teaching residents, students, and even educational institutions about the use of mobile technology, social media, and the internet. Despite initial reluctance from some institutions regarding Aadhaar numbers, her persuasive and informative approach has led to successful training sessions, further enhancing her reputation and the impact of her work.
Tanushree’s story is a testament to the power of dedication, education, and the transformative impact one individual can have on their community. Her experience through the program is not just a professional achievement but a journey of empowerment, learning, and community service. Her gratitude towards the opportunity to make a difference is evident, and her story is an inspiring reminder of how commitment and education can bridge gaps and enrich lives.
How has the initiative addressed the skilling gap in India?
“Our skill-building initiative in collaboration with DXC Technology is strategically designed to equip India’s youth with skills that are essential for the workforce. Focusing on Tier II and Tier III cities, we train students not only in foundational skills but also in advanced technical courses,” says Nidhi Bhasin, CEO, of Nasscom Foundation.
THE CURRICULUM IS METICULOUSLY CRAFTED TO INCLUDE:
Foundational Courses: Our Digital 101 course serves as an entry point for students keen on exploring careers in emergent technologies like Big Data Analytics, Cybersecurity, AI, and IoT.
Domain and Deep Skilling Courses: Participants receive training in advanced tech courses such as Full Stack Development, Python, Cybersecurity, Machine Learning, Data Analytics, IoT, and Digital Forensics.
These courses are complemented with contemporary skills training, crucial for boosting employability, catering to the burgeoning industry demands, and enhancing productivity in the workplace.
Recognising the critical need for inclusivity in skill development, the initiative is designed to be inclusive, actively seeking representation from socio-economically marginalised backgrounds, as these groups often face barriers to accessing essential tools and information, which impedes their integration into the workforce.
The impact of our efforts has been far-reaching. This year alone, we have successfully skilled over 28,000 young people across India, with more than 1,000 beneficiaries already securing employment opportunities.
How will you measure the success of the Resource Centres in increasing digital literacy, and enhancing e-governance participation?
“At Nasscom foundation, our methodology for assessing the effectiveness and impact of our Resource Centres is grounded in a results-based framework that strategically manages our programmes and projects. As part of the design, we use a programme level Theory of change (ToC) board,” says Nidhi Bhasin.
Nidhi Bhasin emphasises that while looking at impact, the results are broken down into outcomes and outputs and measured using indicators at different levels. All our interventions are defined on the readings of a baseline survey aimed at identifying the technological needs and gaps within the community. This crucial step ensures that our efforts are accurately aligned with the local requirements, enabling us to tailor our digital interventions for maximum effectiveness.
Furthermore, we continuously monitor and assess the effectiveness of the Resource Centres in addressing the specific needs of the communities they serve, especially in the targeted Aspirational Districts.
This ongoing evaluation process allows us to make informed adjustments to our strategy, ensuring that our Resource Centres not only meet the current demands for digital literacy and e-governance but also contribute significantly to the inclusive growth and development of these regions.
Through this meticulous approach, we aim to achieve measurable improvements in the lives of the individuals and communities we serve, ultimately contributing to the broader goals of the Digital India initiative.
Defining the success of our resource centres involves a multifaceted approach, where key indicators include the community’s awareness of the programme, the level of local engagement and participation, particularly among young people and women, the volume of government schemes utilised and benefits received as a result of our efforts, and the, including of local governments include district magistrates.
“Other factors include an increase in awareness of digital and financial literacy, an increase in confidence etc. We focus on a variety of KPIs that reflect our goals of increasing digital literacy, enhancing e-governance participation, and fostering inclusive growth, Nidhi adds.
Through this comprehensive evaluation, we aim to not only meet but go beyond our objectives, contributing to a digitally empowered and inclusively growing society.
