Latest news with #DigitalDivide
Entrepreneur
17-07-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
From Tea Sellers to Tech Users: CSC Event Celebrates Digital India's Reach
You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Common Service Centre e-Governance Services India Limited (CSC SPV), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), celebrated 10 Years of Digital India at New Delhi. The event marked a decade of progress toward bridging the digital divide and empowering citizens at the grassroots level. Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, inaugurated the event and addressed the gathering as the Chief Guest. In his speech, he commended the dedication of Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) who have brought digital services to citizens in the most remote corners of India. "VLE brothers and sisters across the country have set a remarkable example by delivering the benefits of Digital India to every citizen," he said. "When the world questioned how a tea seller or a vegetable vendor could use digital payments, today that dream has come true. UPI payments have now surpassed Visa transactions. This is the strength of 1.4 billion Indians." The Minister highlighted that CSCs have reached nearly 90 percent of villages across the nation, calling them the most effective medium for last-mile digital access. He also shared inspiring stories of VLEs like Manjulata from Odisha's Mayurbhanj district and Rose Angelina from Meghalaya, who overcame personal challenges to lead digital change in their communities. "Through her center in the Mairang area, Rose Angelina is not only delivering services but also setting an example of transformation and empowerment," he noted. Key announcements during the event included the launch of free artificial intelligence training for ten lakh individuals, with a special focus on VLEs. Vaishnaw urged VLEs to begin offering IRCTC services and expressed commitment to collaborating with state governments to integrate their IT systems with CSC-SPV. Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Jitin Prasada, emphasised the foundational role of CSCs in achieving the goals of Digital India. "The resolve to extend the benefits of Digital India to the last mile is being carried forward with the help of our VLE brothers and sisters," he said. He recalled that there were only 83,000 CSCs in 2014, a number that has now grown to nearly 5.5 lakh. He also acknowledged over 74,000 women VLEs and discussed the importance of using new technologies such as artificial intelligence to uplift sectors like health, education, and agriculture. Welcoming the dignitaries, Sanjay Rakesh, Managing Director and CEO of CSC SPV, highlighted the impact of the centres in providing services directly to people's doorsteps. "With CSC, there is no need to visit cities to avail government services. We are creating a new paradigm of inclusion and empowerment," he said. CSC Diwas was celebrated across the country between July 1 and 15 with active public participation. In Delhi, a two-day event brought together IT Secretaries from all states to discuss the future of e-governance and rural empowerment. Top-performing VLEs were honoured for their contributions. Since its inception in 2015, Digital India has played a crucial role in transforming governance and financial access. With more than 5.5 lakh centres operated by VLEs, CSC SPV has become one of the world's largest digital service delivery networks. The movement continues to redefine inclusion, proving that digital empowerment is not a privilege but a right for every citizen.
Malaysian Reserve
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Malaysian Reserve
Building education equity: New study highlights Digital Divide among children in the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
Connected Nation Michigan and Tribal leaders assess broadband and computer access in households with children SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich., July 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Connected Nation Michigan (CN Michigan), with support from the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, has released a new study examining how the Digital Divide impacts Tribal households with children in northern Michigan. The report, titled 'Building Education Equity: Understanding the Digital Divide among Children in the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians,' analyzes data from a 2023 survey of Tribal member households. It focuses on computer ownership and internet access — two vital tools for educational success — and reveals that while many families are connected, significant gaps remain for others. 'Broadband and computers are no longer optional. They are essential for a child's education,' said Chris McGovern, Director of Research Development, Connected Nation and CN Michigan. 'This study shows how the Tribe continues its leadership in this work to close the Digital Divide.' In 2023, CN Michigan surveyed 940 member households in collaboration with Tribal leadership. The findings among households with children showed the following key findings: 84% of Tribal households with children have both a computer and home internet access. 16% fall into the Digital Divide: 7% do not own a computer. 6% do not subscribe to home internet. 3% lack both a computer and internet service. In households earning more than $35,000 annually, 93% have internet and 94% own a computer. In households earning less than $35,000, those numbers drop to 83% and 75%, respectively. The Tribe has already taken several steps to improve connectivity by securing a Rural Development Broadband ReConnect grant and a National Tribal Broadband Grant, which is aimed at building fiber networks and evaluating broadband infrastructure. Additionally, outreach about the now-defunct Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) helped many families reduce costs and obtain discounted devices. However, with the end of that federal program, the search for alternative options is ongoing. The report also provides some recommendations and next steps. They include: Continue broadband deployment and infrastructure investment on Tribal lands. Increase access to affordable devices through awareness campaigns and funding programs. Explore creative solutions to ensure that everyone has access to affordable home broadband service, particularly in rural and Tribal areas. To download and read the full report, click here. About Connected Nation: Founded in 2001, the national nonprofit's mission is to improve lives by providing innovative solutions that expand access to and increase the adoption and use of broadband (high-speed internet) and its related technologies for all people. Everyone belongs in a Connected Nation. Learn more at About the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians:Sault Tribe is a 44,000-strong federally recognized Indian Tribe that is an economic, social, and cultural force in its community across the eastern Upper Peninsula counties of Chippewa, Luce, Mackinac, Schoolcraft, Alger, Delta, and Marquette. The Tribe comprises housing and Tribal centers, casinos, and other enterprises that employ both Natives and non-Natives and fund Tribal programs.
New Straits Times
30-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Priorities for the 13th Malaysia Plan
LETTERS: THE Alliance for a Safe Community welcomes the scheduled tabling of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) in Parliament on July 28. As Malaysia charts its course for the next five years, the 13MP must be bold, inclusive, and future-focused to address current challenges and prepare the nation for long-term resilience and sustainability. We urge the government to give serious consideration to the following critical areas for inclusion in the final Plan: 1. Social Protection and Healthcare Reform The plan must strengthen social safety nets, especially for the B40 and vulnerable communities. With an ageing population and rising chronic diseases, Malaysia needs comprehensive healthcare reforms, including mental health services, primary care strengthening, and greater support for caregivers and persons with disabilities. 2. Education and Human Capital Development A strong emphasis must be placed on quality education, digital literacy, STEM development, and upskilling. Teachers must be empowered, and school infrastructure upgraded. Equal access to education in rural and underserved areas is essential to reduce inequality and ensure intergenerational mobility. 3. Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Climate resilience must be mainstreamed across all sectors. The 13MP should include strong climate action commitments, sustainable urban planning, improved waste management, water security strategies, and reforestation programmes to address environmental degradation. 4. Economic Restructuring and Innovation A sustainable, high-value economy must be prioritised — moving away from low-skilled, low-wage models. The Plan should foster innovation, support MSMEs, increase automation, and attract green and digital investments. Regional development must also be equitable to avoid economic disparity. 5. Housing and Urban Liveability Affordable, safe, and accessible housing must be a priority. Urban renewal initiatives must be fair and inclusive, benefiting all stakeholders. Public transportation, pedestrian safety, and community infrastructure need urgent upgrades to enhance quality of life. 6. Good Governance and Institutional Reform The 13MP should incorporate stronger mechanisms for good governance, transparency, and accountability in public service. Strengthening integrity units, enhancing public participation in policymaking, and reducing bureaucracy are key to restoring public trust. 7. Public Safety and Crime Prevention A safe and secure environment is a prerequisite for national progress. Investments in community policing, cybercrime prevention, and drug abuse rehabilitation, especially among youth, must be scaled up. 8. Digital Transformation and Bridging the Digital Divide Digital inclusion should be made a national priority. Broadband access, particularly in rural areas, must be improved. The 13MP must also support digital safety education to prepare citizens for the evolving digital landscape. As we look ahead, the 13MP represents a timely opportunity for Malaysia to rebuild better — socially, economically, and environmentally. It must not only address current gaps but also anticipate future trends. We call on all stakeholders, including civil society, to participate actively in the shaping and monitoring of the plan's outcomes. Only through a whole-of-nation approach can we achieve a more equitable, secure, and resilient Malaysia.
The Independent
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
The Digital Equity Act tried to close the digital divide. Trump calls it racist and acts to end it
One program distributes laptops in rural Iowa. Another helped people get back online after Hurricane Helene washed away computers and phones in western North Carolina. Programs in Oregon and rural Alabama teach older people, including some who have never touched a computer, how to navigate in an increasingly digital world. It all came crashing down this month when President Donald Trump — on his own digital platform, Truth Social — announced his intention to end the Digital Equity Act, a federal grant program meant to help bridge the digital divide. He branded it as 'RACIST and ILLEGAL' and said it amounts to 'woke handouts based on race.' He said it was an 'ILLEGAL $2.5 BILLION DOLLAR giveaway," though the program was actually funded with $2.75 billion. The name seemed innocuous enough when the program was approved by Congress in 2021 as part of a $65 billion investment meant to bring internet access to every home and business in the United States. The broadband program itself was a key component of the $1 trillion infrastructure law pushed through by the administration of Democratic President Joe Biden. The Digital Equity Act was intended to fill gaps and cover unmet needs that surfaced during the massive broadband rollout. It gave states and tribes flexibility to deliver high-speed internet access to families that could not afford it, computers to kids who did not have them, telehealth access to older adults in rural areas, and training and job skills to veterans. Whether Trump has the legal authority to end the program remains unknown. But for now the Republican administration can simply stop spending the money. 'I just felt my heart break for what we were finally, finally in this country, going to address, the digital divide," said Angela Siefer, executive director of the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, a nonprofit that was awarded — but has not received — a $25.7 million grant to work with groups across the country to help provide access to technology. 'The digital divide is not just physical access to the internet, it is being able to use that to do what you need to do.' The word 'equity' While the name of the program likely got it targeted — the Trump administration has been aggressively scrubbing the government of programs that promote diversity, equity or inclusion — the Digital Equity Act was supposed to be broader in scope. Though Trump called it racist, the words 'race' or 'racial' appear just twice in the law's text: once, alongside 'color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, or disability,' in a passage stating that no groups should be excluded from funding, and later, in a list of covered populations, along with older adults, veterans, people with disabilities, English learners, people with low literacy levels and rural Americans. 'Digital Equity passed with overwhelming bipartisan support,' said Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the act's chief proponent, in a statement. 'And that's because my Republican colleagues have heard the same stories as I have — like kids in rural communities forced to drive to McDonalds parking lots for Wi-Fi to do their homework. "It is insane — absolutely nuts — that Trump is blocking resources to help make sure kids in rural school districts can get hot spots or laptops, all because he doesn't like the word equity!' The National Telecommunications and Information Administration, which administers the program, declined to comment. It's not entirely clear how much of the $2.75 billion has been awarded, though last March the NTIA announced the allocation of $811 million to states, territories and tribes. 'More confident' On a recent morning in Portland, Oregon, Brandon Dorn was among those taking a keyboard basics class offered by Free Geek, a nonprofit that provides free courses to help people learn to use computers. The class was offered at a low-income housing building to make it accessible for residents. Dorn and the others were given laptops and shown the different functions of keys: control, shift and caps lock, how to copy and paste. They played a typing game that taught finger and key placement on a color-coded keyboard. Dorn, 63, said the classes helped because 'in this day and age, everything has to go through the computer.' He said it helped him feel more confident and less dependent on his children or grandchildren to do things such as making appointments online. 'Folks my age, we didn't get this luxury because we were too busy working, raising the family,' he said. 'So this is a great way to help us help ourselves.' Juan Muro, Free Geek's executive director, said participants get the tools and skills they need to access things like online banking, job applications, online education programs and telehealth. He said Trump's move to end funding has put nonprofits such as Free Geek in a precarious position, forcing them to make up the difference through their own fundraising and 'beg for money to just provide individuals with essential stuff." Sara Nichols works for the Land of Sky Regional Council, a multicounty planning and development organization in western North Carolina. On the Friday before Trump's inauguration in January, the organization received notice that it was approved for a grant. But like other groups The Associated Press contacted, it has not seen any money. Land of Sky had spent a lot of resources helping people recover from last year's storms. The award notice, Nichols said, came as 'incredible news.' 'But between this and the state losing, getting their letters terminated, we feel just like stuck. What are we going to do? How are we going to move forward? How are we going to let our communities continue to fall behind?' Filling unmet needs More than one-fifth of Americans do not have broadband internet access at home, according to the Pew Research Center. In rural communities, the number jumps to 27 percent. Beyond giving people access to technology and fast internet, many programs funded by the Digital Equity Act sought to provide 'digital navigators' — human helpers to guide people new to the online world. 'In the United States we do not have a consistent source of funding to help individuals get online, understand how to be safe online and how to use that technology to accomplish all the things that are required now as part of life that are online,' said Siefer of the National Digital Inclusion Alliance. This includes everything from providing families with internet hot spots so they can get online at home to helping seniors avoid online scams. 'Health, workforce, education, jobs, everything, right?' Siefer said. 'This law was going to be the start for the U.S. to figure out this issue. It's a new issue in the big scheme of things, because now technology is no longer a nice-to-have. You have to have the internet and you have to know how to use the technology just to survive, let alone to thrive today.' Siefer said the word 'equity' in the name probably prompted Trump to target the program for elimination. 'But it means that he didn't actually look at what this program does," she said. "Because who doesn't want grandma to be safe online? Who doesn't want a veteran to be able to talk to their doctor rather than get in a car and drive two hours? Who doesn't want students to be able to do their homework?' —- Ortutay reported from San Francisco.
Malaysian Reserve
25-04-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Alabama teen honored with Connected Nation's 2025 Student Broadband Hero Award
BIRMINGHAM, Ala., April 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Connected Nation (CN) is excited to announce the 2025 Student Broadband Hero Award honoree – Altamont High School Senior Michael Schmalz. The national nonprofit has only given out four national awards in its 24 years of service (see below for more details). This is the first given to a student. The Birmingham teen planned and conducted several digital skills workshops for older adults as part of the Teens Teach Tech, powered by AT&T, program. Inspired by the positive change he observed while serving in his community, he started his own initiative to expand digital literacy across Alabama. Schmalz created 'Digital Harmonies' with the goal of providing devices and digital skills training to individuals in rural, low-income, and elderly communities across Alabama. On Wednesday, April 23, Michael was presented the 2025 Student Broadband Hero Award by Tom Ferree, Chairman & CEO, CN, during a surprise event held at Altamont School in Birmingham, where he will graduate next month. 'I just hope that people can learn more about the Digital Divide and what it is and how they can take action to bridge it,' said Michael, after receiving the award. 'I also hope that people remember as we move forward in an age that's increasingly dependent on devices that we agree to prioritize inclusion.' 'Our staff was amazed at how much Michael wanted to help others in his community and by how well he understands the importance of digital literacy,' said Emily Jordan, Vice President, Foundation and Education Initiatives, CN. 'He not only leveraged our program to help older adults learn some essential digital skills, but he also used the incentive funds earned through Teens Teach Tech, powered by AT&T, to kick-start a digital literacy program to reach more Alabama residents. That included purchasing devices for the program. He's truly an exceptional teen who's deserving of this honor.' How the Teens Teach Tech, powered by AT&T, program works Teen-led teams offer hands-on workshops, one-on-one mentorship sessions, virtual sessions, and community events that cover a variety of digital skills. These skills range from basic computer literacy to understanding mobile devices, staying safe online, and much more. The program provides training materials created by the Public Library Association in collaboration with AT&T, startup funds, financial incentives, and ongoing support and mentorship for the teen-led teams. It is ready-to-go and perfect for after-school programs, summer programs, youth programs, and other youth-based organizations. The program is being utilized by teens in 40 states who have trained (at this writing) over 22,000 older adults since 2023. It's a great cross-generational experience for both teens and adults. To learn more about how to kick-start a team in your community, go to 'Michael exemplifies what's possible when young people are empowered with the tools and support they need to make a difference,' said Terri Williams, Lead External Affairs, AT&T Alabama. 'Through the Teens Teach Tech, powered by AT&T, program he's not only helped others, but he's inspired a movement for student digital navigators across the state. We're proud to support this important work.' Broadband Visionary Award honoreesThe 2025 Student Broadband Hero Award is the first time CN is nationally honoring a student's work. The national nonprofit has given out a similar honor – called the Broadband Visionary Award – only four times in its nearly 25 year history. The past awardees for that honor are former Iowa Governor and former U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Branstad; Colonel M. Blaine Hedges, USA (Retired); Robin Ancona, Director, Telecommunications Division, Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC); and jointly, KGW-TV in Portland, Oregon; Fort Bend Independent School District in Sugar Land, Texas; and, jointly, RFD-TV and the American Farm Bureau Federation in Washington, D.C. for their work on 'A National Conversation on the Digital Divide.' Note: Email jdenson@ to request photos and/or video from the ceremony. About Connected Nation: Founded in 2001, the national nonprofit's mission is to improve lives by providing innovative solutions that expand access to and increase the adoption and use of broadband (high-speed internet) and its related technologies for all people. Everyone belongs in a Connected Nation. Learn more at
