CSR: NASSCOM Foundation, Vodafone and CGI launch DigiSakshar platform

Vodafone India Foundation, in partnership with CGI and NASSCOM Foundation, announced the launch of online digital skills portal DigiSakshar.org. A CSR initiative of Vodafone Idea, developed under their ‘Connecting for Good programme’, DigiSakshar aims to empower the marginalized communities and help them become a part of the digital economy.

DigiSakshar has been developed to help communities graduate to digital literacy and use this knowledge to build and enhance their livelihood, thus encouraging the digital have-nots and digital novices to become a part of the technological revolution. In addition to offering digital literacy to communities, the self-learning portal also drives them towards better job and entrepreneurship opportunities helping them become self-reliant.

The portal was launched in a virtual event by P. Balaji, Chief Regulatory and Corporate Affairs Officer, Vodafone Idea Limited, George Mattackal, President, Asia Pacific Global Delivery Centers of Excellence, CGI, Dr. Dinesh Tyagi, CEO, CSC e-Governance Services India Limited and Preeti Arora, Head Learning Resources and Technology, National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) along with Ashok Pamidi, CEO and Santosh Abraham, Vice President from NASSCOM Foundation.

P. Balaji said, “Vodafone Idea is committed to developing communities where we operate in and our commitment is well encapsulated in our company’s mission statement. We have transformative initiatives in the domains of Agriculture, Education, Health, Women Empowerment which are positively impacting millions of Indians every year. Today, as part of our commitment to increase digital literacy and help communities learn digital skills, I am delighted to announce the launch of Digisakshar – which I am sure will contribute to a resilient and skilled India.”

CGI is among the largest independent IT and business consulting services firms in the world, committed to serving as a caring and responsible corporate citizen through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. With this partnership, CGI will be developing self-learning content in multiple languages to augment the digital skills curriculum. In addition, CGI will help strengthen DigiSakshar’s technology infrastructure for better access and enhanced user experience.

“At CGI we strive to make a positive impact through technology. Through DigiSakshar, our goal is to help enable digital literacy and contribute to improving the social and economic well-being of the communities in which we live and work,” said George Mattackal, CGI during the launch. NASSCOM Foundation has programme-managed the creation of the portal and is also working towards a CSR based sustainability model for the same.

Ashok Pamidi, CEO, NASSCOM Foundation, said: “NASSCOM Foundation is one of the first organizations to realise the potential of digital literacy and bring it to the underserved communities through ‘Follow the Fibre’ initiative in 2011. We now bring our ten years worth of experience of making millions become digitally literate to create the best fit portal for digital literacy and skills. With DigiSakshar, we hope to further the Prime Minister’s agenda of a self-reliant India through digital literacy. With digital literacy through physical centres taking a huge hit due to the current crisis, Digisakshar hopes to provide a safe online learning environment for Digital Novices to learn new skills.”

The free-to-use portal provides over 40 courses in both Hindi and English, designed for all age groups and curated to cover basic, intermediate and advanced knowledge on digital skills. The courses range from basics of computer operations, handling mobile phones, using internet securely, digital payments, finding jobs and livelihood opportunities, accessing common and government websites and many more. The web platform curates personalized content from different sources in Hindi and English and will soon also be available in Kannada, Oriya and Marathi.

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