MUMBAI: HPE and NASSCOM Foundation announced their partnership towards the Government of Maharashtra’s Mahaparivartan initiative. Together, they plan to launch four new digital literacy centers for female self-help groups in the rural areas of the underserved districts of Jalgaon and Buldhana.

Mahaparivartan, a Maharashtra Government initiative, is focused on using the Public-Private Partnership for social development of Maharashtra. NASSCOM Foundation is the industry partner for various programs under the Mahaparivartan initiative.

In partnership with HPE, the Foundation will work towards deploying shipping containers at specific locations in the rural areas of Jalgaon and Buldhana. These containers will be modified into futuristic classrooms having windows, desks, computers, internet, air conditioning, refrigerators etc.

These containers will be used to train special female self-help groups associated with MAVIM (Mahila Arthik Vikas Mahamandal) and MSLRM (Maharashtra State Rural Livelihoods Mission).

Krushi Vikas (Buldhana) and Sanskriti Samvardhan Mandal (Jalgaon) have been chosen as the implementation partners and will be providing training to the self-help groups on digital literacy and digital transaction tools. The self-help groups across these regions are proficient in creating products of value which they sell locally and in other villages and cities. The training will also be provided on building and improving market linkages through both digital and offline modes. HPE and NASSCOM Foundation hope that this intervention will help the self-help groups become empowered and also create multiple opportunities for their local businesses.

Once trained, the beneficiaries will be able to send email, connect on social media, buy from e-commerce websites, pay bills online, transact through digital payment modes, use maps, check weather forecast and will even learn how to use the Internet to avail various government services such as registering for Aadhar cards, ration cards, PAN cards, and others. They will be able to make informed and effective decisions about their financial resources, connect to the market and sell their products at better prices through the entrepreneurial skills.

“Digital transformation influences virtually every aspect of how we engage with the world around us, making digital literacy a vital skill for our citizens,” said Som Satsangi, Managing Director, HPE India. “The launch of these digital classrooms in partnership with NASSCOM Foundation reaffirms our commitment to support the Maharashtra Government’s Mahaparivartan initiative. Powered by our Future Classroom program, these digital literacy centres will provide the local women self-help groups access to important skills training that will empower them to actively participate in the country’s economic growth.”

These efforts also will fulfill the digital literacy needs as according to the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyaan (PMGDISHA, previously National Digital Literacy Mission) – a far-sighted, dynamic and integrated platform of digital literacy awareness, education and capacity programmes that will help rural communities fully participate in the global digital economy.