Digital Bus Initiative

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Context:

Digital Bus initiative has over three lakh beneficiaries in India.

Digital Bus initiative

About:

• It is a joint venture between the National Digital India Mission and the NIIT Foundation started in 2017.
• The programme aims to take technology to remote areas and to enhance innovation and offer new opportunities and ensure that every community is able to thrive in the digital age.

Features :

• These buses will provide hands-on training and a curated programme in digital and financial literacy, IT skills, and entrepreneurship to young adults and kids across villages in India.
• Buses are solar-powered, 5G-enabled buses with fully furnished classrooms with computers, Internet, and camera/video capabilities, with preinstalled e-courses, all available free of cost.

Course focus:

• These courses focus on fundamental functions like using email, the Internet, and applications like MS Office.
• It also delivers programmes like Financial Literacy and Cyber Security.

Major objectives:

• To reduce the Digital divide for those living in remote areas
• To provide Linkages to Government programs and initiatives
• To introduce the multidisciplinary approach to education
• Encourage collaborative learning
• Develop interpersonal skills
• Provide awareness on technology amongst rural community
• Provide equal opportunities for rural youth

'Digital India' initiative ●It was launched in 2015, to provide universal access to digital infrastructure, facilities, services, and efficient and transparent governance. Recently proposed Digital India Act 2023 (DIA), aims to ●Establish flexible regulations that can adapt to technological changes, ●Offer accessible mechanisms for online offence resolution, and ●Ensure a legislative framework aligned with overarching governing principles.

Sources:

https://www.thehindu.com/education/how-the-digital-bus-initiative-has-empowered-young-adults-in-remote-areas-of-the-country/article68561412.ece

https://csc.gov.in/digitalIndia#:~:text=Digital%20India%20is%20a%20flagship,Prime%20Minister%20Shri%20Narendra%20Modi.

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Digital India initiative is hailed as an important milestone for achieving significant digital literacy and financial inclusion in India. However, digitisation has not reached all sections of society even today. Assess the initiatives of the government of India towards digitisation and their success.(250 words)