Empowering India’s social sector through tech innovations

In Rajasthan’s Sikar district, parents of students studying at the Government Upper Primary School, Ujeen Singh Ka Nada Beri, were faced with a unique dilemma. As farm workers, most of them left their homes at 7 every morning, which meant they did not have any way to ensure that their children had reached school safely or were bunking classes. To address this challenge, the headmaster introduced a biometric attendance system – the school’s first major tech intervention. Through an SMS, the system notified parents if their child had not attended school for the day. The impact was remarkable – class attendance shot up to 99 percent, significantly reducing truancy!

This was fascinating how a simple digital tool became the bridge between parental worries and a child’s education. Similarly, there are many such incredible stories that showcase the transformative power of technology and how it is bridging gaps and benefiting communities even in the most rural corners of India.

Government’s support and conducive policies
At the recent G20 Summit, our Hon’ble PM highlighted the profound impact of our tech revolution by emphasizing on the numerous initiatives and platforms that are having a multiplier effect on the economy. He explained how India’s tech revolution has not only had an economic impact but also a deep social impact. Technology can be a means to empower people, reach the unreached, and take growth and welfare to the last mile.

In a country as diverse and vast as ours, the use of technology is imperative to address pressing social issues on a significant scale. Hence, the Government of India has rolled out multiple schemes across areas, such as education, financial literacy, agritech, and skill development, catering to nearly 900 million people living in rural regions.

To transform rural India into a digitally empowered society and a knowledge economy, the government launched the Digital India program. This initiative aimed to disseminate information and facilitate digital access to government services, using high-speed internet network. Today, the penetration of smartphones, UPI, and government schemes, such as the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA) and Jan Dhan–Aadhaar–Mobile, have enabled internet access in remote parts of our country.

There is also potential for India reaping its demographic dividend in the years to come. As one of the youngest countries globally, with an average age of 29 years, we possess a valuable asset. To fully utilize this demographic advantage, our focus should be on training this vast talent pool in specialized areas through skill development initiatives. The process can be expedited through technological interventions, ensuring that our youth, especially in rural areas, is equipped with the right skills and knowledge for a prosperous future.

Telecos key enabler in India’s tech revolution
The telecom sector has been a key enabler in constructing India’s technology-driven digital landscape. It has enabled unprecedented growth in internet penetration in the country – today, we have the second-largest telecommunications network in the world in terms of telecom subscribers. The use of mobile technology has changed the lives of individuals, businesses, and society forever in countless ways.

As per the Internet in India Report 2022, out of 759 million active internet users we have, 399 million are from rural India, while 360 million are from urban areas, indicating that the former drives the growth of the internet in the country. The widespread adoption of the internet and the affordability of smartphones have transformed the daily lives of rural Indians. These advancements have not only provided them with access to online services but have also substantially enhanced their overall quality of life. For instance, technology-enabled financial services, such as digital banking and mobile payments, are providing convenient and secure access to financial products and services for rural communities.

As a leading telecom player, we work closely with the government and the local industry bodies to address some of the pressing social issues of our country, and bring transformation in the rural areas of India by simple tech-based interventions. Vi Foundation operates across sectors, such as financial literacy, healthcare, entrepreneurship, education, and agriculture. Through partnerships, we are developing innovative tech solutions, tailored to the specific needs of the CSOs, NGOs, and CBOs.

Our flagship project SmartAgri, which uses IoT solutions, has enhanced the livelihood of 5.7 lakh farmers across 10 states. Our efforts to enhance financial literacy through the Jaadu Ginni Ka program have touched the lives of more than 1.5 crore people. We are also bridging the skills gap, all the way down to the grassroots. We are setting up 10 robotic labs across five states to provide new-age learning experiences to children from underserved communities, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and mindset they will need to thrive in an increasingly fast-evolving, dynamic world.

At the recently held India Mobile Congress 2023, we demonstrated our social tech-based solution Innovation in Technology for Public Good to the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, showcasing our support in the Government of India’s vision to empower rural communities across India via tech. Through our initiatives, we are not only addressing the immediate needs of communities but also creating sustainable and meaningful change for a better tomorrow.

The power of collaboration
The success of initiatives in the social sector hinges on partnerships, and hence collaboration between the government, private sector, telcos, and local communities is essential. The public-private-partnership (PPP) model has emerged as a robust framework. Private enterprises, with their resources and expertise, are instrumental in driving initiatives forward. The government plays a pivotal role as an enabler, providing support and creating conducive policies. Moreover, the involvement of local institutes and bodies is essential to understanding the unique needs and nuances of each community.

By harnessing the capabilities of technology, we can unlock a future where every Indian, regardless of their background or location, has access to the opportunities they deserve. In this vision lies not just our aspiration but our shared responsibility to build an inclusive and progressive India.