Latest news with #AspirationalBlocksProgramme
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Empowering women, tribal communities through digital access
The digital revolution is reshaping economies, businesses, and communities across the globe. Yet, millions in India—particularly women and tribal populations in rural and aspirational blocks—remain on the fringes of this growth story. While more than 55% of internet users in India are from rural areas, when it comes to daily internet usage, urban users surpass their rural counterparts. In many tribal and rural communities across India, digital exclusion goes beyond a lack of smart devices, creating a profound disconnect from essential services and opportunities. Representing some of India's most marginalised communities, the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) are characterised by pre-agricultural economies, stagnant literacy rates, and minimal access to mainstream development opportunities. With a population of 44,71,005 individuals, these communities face fundamental barriers due to limited access to smartphones and digital infrastructure. Many remain unable to access even basic digital identity services and Aadhaar-enabled benefits, cutting them off from crucial financial aid, health care, and welfare mechanisms. As India's digital infrastructure evolves, this gap threatens to further widen existing inequities, reinforcing cycles of poverty and marginalisation. Bridging this gap is not just about providing access to technology but also about equipping individuals with the skills to use it meaningfully. Digital literacy enables remote work, entrepreneurship, and access to e-commerce among other benefits, helping overcome mobility barriers, particularly for women and marginalised communities. For tribal communities, it unlocks government schemes, financial services, and agricultural advancements, fostering self-reliance. These are the foundation for socio-economic progress, ensuring no one is left behind in India's digital growth story. As digital access expands, so does the potential for empowerment. A well-structured digital literacy initiative must focus on training people in navigating the internet, cybersecurity, digital payments, and e-governance for a holistic understanding of the digital world. It must also foster entrepreneurial readiness, equipping individuals with tools for online business management and e-commerce platforms, leading to economic independence. For those who wish to join the workforce, digital literacy programs must provide certifications that align with industry needs and improve employability in tech-enabled jobs. Recognising the challenges of imparting digital literacy to vulnerable communities like the PVTGs, the government of India launched the Aspirational Blocks Programme as a targeted intervention to bridge the digital divide at the grassroots level. Building on the successful digital literacy initiatives of the Aspirational Districts Programme, this block-level approach enables focused empowerment of India's most underserved areas, particularly those with significant tribal populations. The programme combines technology-enabled learning with physical infrastructure and community engagement to ensure digital resources and e-governance services reach the last mile. Equipping marginalised communities with foundational digital skills and providing access to essential e-governance services is essential to fostering inclusion and enabling self-reliance in some of the most remote and disadvantaged regions of our nation. For India to become Viksit Bharat by 2047, it is imperative that they are brought into the digital fold through a targeted, scalable approach to digital literacy that provides tailor-made solutions. The Tribal Development Report 2022 highlights a concerning reality—literacy among PVTGs stands at just 47.7%, significantly lower than the national average of 77.3%. This underscores both the urgency of digital inclusion and the challenges of its implementation. For leaders determined to bring in change--solving this requires a hyperlocal, culturally attuned approach. Training modules must be designed in vernacular languages, incorporating visual and audio aids to ensure accessibility. More importantly, digital ambassadors from within these communities can play a transformative role in driving adoption. However, without upgraded infrastructure, even the best-designed interventions will fall short. Establishing community tech centres equipped with devices, internet access, and mentorship programmes through industry collaborations can help PVTGs see tangible benefits of digital literacy. Scaling these efforts however demands a collaborative ecosystem where policymakers, industry leaders, and non-profits must work together, leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven, mobile-first vernacular platforms for accessibility. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives should integrate digital skills, complementing government-led programs. To ensure measurable impact, implementing monitoring frameworks tracking employment rates, entrepreneurship growth, and digital adoption is critical. We must focus on technology-enabled, sustainable solutions that bridge this divide and unlock true empowerment. Access to digital platforms enables participation in government schemes, digital banking, and e-governance services, improving transparency and financial autonomy, and hence, strengthening governance and social inclusion measures. With digital tools, people in even the most remote areas can access online education, vocational training, telemedicine, and awareness programs that significantly improve their quality of life. The Union Budget this year reinforces the commitment to digital empowerment through targeted provisions for women and marginalised communities. The Rural Prosperity and Resilience Programme, coupled with enhanced rural connectivity initiatives, positions digital literacy as a cornerstone of socio-economic progress. This strategic focus on digital inclusion promises to transform technology access from a privilege to an enabler of equitable growth. This article is authored by Jyoti Sharma, CEO, Nasscom Foundation.
News18
24-05-2025
- Business
- News18
Decoding PM Modi's Rural Empowerment Drive And The Politics Of Development
Last Updated: With a 'whole-of-government' push, the Centre aims to reshape rural India into a hub of opportunity and prosperity under Viksit Bharat 2047 Prime Minister Modi headed the 10th NITI Aayog Governing Council Meeting, 'Viksit Bharat 2047', to discuss rural development, expansion of the Aspirational Blocks Programme, and the Viksit Bharat 2047 goals. Chief Ministers of all states and Union Territories, along with their respective Lieutenant Governors, were present. Deliberations were held on the country's roadmap to achieving the Modi government's 'Viksit Bharat @2047' vision. The overarching theme of 'Viksit Bharat' is intertwined with the aspiration of a developed rural India. The Grameen Bharat Mahotsav 2025, themed 'Building a Resilient Rural India for a Viksit Bharat 2047', links the prosperity of villages to the nation's progress, encapsulated in the motto, 'Village grows, the country grows". The objective is to empower rural populations by converting villages into dynamic centres of growth, offering opportunities, mitigating outward migration, and enhancing the quality of life. There is a dual approach to rural empowerment under the Viksit Bharat initiative, focusing on both foundational infrastructure and economic enablement. Universal toilet access under the Swachh Bharat Mission, the construction of pucca houses via the PM Awas Yojana, and the provision of clean drinking water through the Jal Jeevan Mission have ensured basic amenities. With approximately 4 lakh kilometres of rural roads constructed over the past decade under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, connectivity has also been bolstered. Over 94 per cent of rural households now have access to telephones, mobile banking, and UPI, integrating rural India into the modern economy. Common Service Centres have expanded to 5 lakh from fewer than 1 lakh before 2014. They provide online access to numerous government services, aiding village development and generating employment opportunities. These advancements are foundational to creating an environment for rural prosperity and well-being. Economic revitalisation has received significant focus. Approximately Rs 3 lakh crore has been disbursed under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi; agricultural loans have also seen a substantial increase, and many Kisan Credit Cards have been issued to provide financial support to farmers. Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) have been promoted to ensure better market access and prices for agricultural produce. Efforts are also underway to promote natural farming and diversify rural incomes through improved irrigation and the creation of rural enterprises. The strategy actively seeks to promote non-agricultural livelihoods as well. It involves establishing service-sector-based manufacturing hubs in smaller towns and expanding opportunities within the MSME and informal sectors in rural areas. The Vishwakarma Yojana scheme helps support traditional crafts. Furthermore, rural MSMEs have reportedly benefited from schemes providing collateral-free loans and support for start-ups. The inclusion of green economy opportunities, particularly in renewable energy, is another area for job creation and sustainable growth. Human Development and the Political Narrative Access to healthcare facilities through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and the benefits of telemedicine in rural areas have increased. Concurrently, education facilities have been bolstered as part of the Viksit Bharat mission. Since 2014, improvements in educational access have led to increased enrolment, including a significant rise in female enrolment, and enhanced research output from higher education institutions. However, the political discourse surrounding human development, particularly education and health, is evolving. As basic infrastructure becomes more widespread, political focus is shifting towards issues of quality of life, positioning education, health, climate change, and the environment as potential areas for political mobilisation by the opposition. While the government highlights progress, the opposition seeks to delegitimise that progress by politicising the nature of development. Implementation Challenges and Future Trajectory The year 2047, as envisioned by the Modi government, is to mark the transformation of rural India into an epicentre of economic activity. The 'whole-of-government' approach, with seamless coordination across various ministries and levels of government, is ensuring that the vision progresses towards its objectives. 'Development from the periphery', focusing on empowering border regions and rural fringes, is a highlight of a government working for the people and reaching the most hard-to-reach villages. The long-term impact hinges on overcoming entrenched issues such as regional disparities, skill gaps, and ensuring the sustainability of economic activities in rural areas. However, achievements such as the reduction in rural poverty and the empowerment of women through initiatives like Lakhpati Didis show that we are moving in the right direction. First Published:
The Hindu
22-04-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Gangaram Block tops in Delta Ranking under Aspirational Blocks Programme across nation
Gangaram Block in Mahabubabad district has achieved top spot in the Delta ranking under the Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP) and will receive a ₹3 crore incentive. Located in one of the most backward areas of the State, Gangaram Block has secured the top position among 500 aspirational blocks in the latest Delta Ranking for September-December 2024 released by NITI Aayog. As part of the Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP), Gangaram Block will receive an additional allocation of ₹3 crore to boost its development initiatives further. Other blocks that will benefit from the programme in the State include Kannaigudem block in Mulugu district, which will receive ₹2 crore; Narva block in Narayanpet district, which will receive ₹1.5 crore; and Pembi block in Nirmal district, which will receive ₹1 crore. To avail these incentives, a plan of action/project proposal must be submitted to the NITI Aayog by May 25, 2025. Launched on January 7, 2023, the Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP) focuses on improving governance to enhance the quality of life of citizens in the most difficult and relatively underdeveloped blocks in the country. The programme's strategy revolves around consolidating existing schemes, defining outcomes, and vigilantly monitoring progress through 40 key performance indicators (KPIs) in five sectors — health and nutrition, education, agriculture and allied sectors, infrastructure, and social development. Mahabubabad District Collector Adwait Kumar Singh congratulated the block-level officials on their achievement, saying, 'It is a proud moment for Mahabubabad district. I have already issued clear directions for the strategic and transparent utilisation of these funds, ensuring alignment with the five key themes and performance indicators under the programme.' ABP fellow H. Srinath added that the block would focus on achieving complete results in maternal and childcare, tuberculosis eradication, and non-communicable disease screening, improving NITI Aayog indicators for farmers, providing quality education, and leveraging the role of Anganwadi workers in identifying malnutrition among children and supporting the growth of mothers and children. Tiriyani Block of Kumuram Bheem Asifabad district had secured the top position in the first delta rankings of ABP announced in December 2023.
Hindustan Times
22-04-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
PM calls on bureaucrats to follow principle of ‘Nagrik Devo Bhava'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday called bureaucrats to follow the principle of 'Nagrik Devo Bhava (Citizen is God)' while serving the nation, further urging the civil servants to see themselves not just as administrators but as architects of 'Viksit Bharat (Developed India).' Addressing the 17th Civil Services Day celebration at Vigyan Bhawan, Modi said that bureaucracy must transform into a key enabler and become a 'facilitator of growth'. Underscoring the immense responsibility on civil servants to ensure that India becomes the world's third-largest economy at the earliest, he urged them to prevent any delays in achieving this critical objective. 'Just as we say 'Atithi Devo Bhava' (The guest is god), we must move forward with the mantra of 'Nagrik Devo Bhava' (The citizen is god). You must prepare yourself not just as a civil servant, but as an architect of a 'Viksit Bharat',' he said. During the event, the Prime Minister called on civil servants to be 'tech savvy' and become experts in 'data-driven decision-making'. 'You're already witnessing how rapidly Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Physics are evolving... You must prepare yourselves—and the entire system—for this future technology revolution, so we can deliver the best services to citizens and meet their aspirations.' 'The policies we are working on today, the decisions we are making, are going to shape the future of the next thousand years. India's aspirational society – youth, farmers, women – their dreams are soaring to unprecedented heights. To fulfil these extraordinary aspirations, extraordinary speed is essential,' Modi told the civil servants while reiterating the need to make policies and schemes more efficient and accessible through technology. Modi reminded the bureaucrats about the real meaning of holistic development. This year's theme—holistic development—was central to the PM's address. He said holistic development is not just a theme but a commitment and a promise to the people of the nation. 'Real progress does not mean small changes but full-scale impact –– clean water in every home, quality education for every child, financial access for every entrepreneur and benefits of digital economy for every village. No village, no family, no citizen is left behind. This is holistic development. Quality in governance is determined by how deeply schemes reach the people and their real impact on the ground,' he said. At the ceremony, 16 awards were presented to officers and districts under categories including Holistic Development of Districts, the Aspirational Blocks Programme, and Innovation. Among the recognized districts were Rajkot, Gomati, Tinsukia, Koraput, and Kupwara, where initiatives such as increased school attendance and the adoption of solar power have yielded tangible results. In his address, PM Modi also spoke about the role of the bureaucracy and the visible impact in districts such as Rajkot, Gomati, Tinsukia, Koraput, and Kupwara, where significant progress has been made, from increasing school attendance to adopting solar power. Mentioning the rapid changes occurring globally, noting how even within families, interactions with younger generations can make one feel outdated due to the fast pace of change, PM Modi highlighted the swift evolution of gadgets every two to three years and how children are growing up amid these transformations. 'In the age of technology, governance is not about managing systems, it is about multiplying possibilities.... We must increase the competence of civil servants so that we can prepare a future-ready civil service India's bureaucracy, work processes. Policymaking cannot operate on outdated frameworks,' he said. Highlighting that over the past 10 years, India has progressed from incremental change to impactful transformation, PM Modi said the country's governance model is now focused on next generation reforms, leveraging technology and innovative practices to bridge the gap between the government and citizens. 'With the right intent, planning, and execution, transformation is possible even in remote areas,' he added. Citing the example of the MSME sector, he highlighted the importance of Mission Manufacturing and how the success of this mission is heavily reliant on MSMEs. PM pointed out that amidst global changes, MSMEs, startups, and young entrepreneurs in India have an unprecedented opportunity. 'While the goal of Indian industries is to create globally best products, the goal of India's bureaucracy must be to provide the world's best ease of compliance environment,' he said. PM Modi outlined India's ambitious goals for the coming years, including energy security, clean energy, advancements in sports, and achievements in space exploration, emphasizing the importance of raising India's flag high in every sector.
