The Digital India movement is a necessary revolution. It aims to change the lives of people by empowering them with access to information, services and by creating job opportunities. However, according to NSSO data, only 4.4% of rural households and 23.4% of urban households own computers. What’s even more disconcerting is that India is, to a great extent, lagging in terms of digital literacy. A report from the Digital Empowerment Foundation released in 2018, showed a staggering figure of 90% of India’s population being digitally illiterate. This essentially shows the gap in the country’s efforts to bring in digital transformation and people’s adoption of the technology. There is a dire need for digital education training. While the digital revolution is poised to bring in change as well as economic growth and development, we should be mindful to not create a section of the society that is left behind due to digital illiteracy. Digital poverty or the inability to access information and services that could benefit people is a real threat to our country’s development.
It is very inspiring to see that the government is taking efforts to increase digital literacy. Some of these programs are already implemented or are in the process of being implemented such as the National Digital Literacy Mission, The Digital Saksharta Abhiyan, and the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan.
As a leading rural fintech player, at Spice Money, we aim to do our bit to increase digital literacy skills amongst people in rural India. Our Spice Money Academy offers training, live sessions, and complete step-by-step walkthroughs with our mobile applications and devices so as to empower our customers and Adhikaris. We also aim to offer simplified lessons with a rural connect to relate with the audience.
I firmly believe digital literacy is essential for not only having access to services and information but also to access basic rights and entitlements. We must ensure that more and more people are made aware of today’s technologies so they can be empowered to lead a better life.
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