What is Sanchar Saathi Portal
Sanchar Saathi Portal is a digital platform developed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India. It is designed to provide training and support to rural and remote communities in India to help them better understand and utilize digital technologies.
The portal was launched on 20th December 2019, as part of the Digital India initiative, and it has since then been empowering citizens from all walks of life to become digitally literate and self-sufficient. It aims to bridge the digital divide between rural and urban areas and provide equal access to digital technologies.
The Sanchar Saathi Portal offers a wide range of digital literacy courses that cover topics such as basic computer skills, using smartphones, accessing the internet, and digital financial literacy. These courses are available in various languages, including Hindi, English, and regional languages such as Tamil, Telugu, and Bengali, to cater to the needs of different communities.
The training programs are delivered by certified trainers who are known as Sanchar Saathis. These trainers are selected from local communities and trained by the government to deliver digital literacy courses to their peers and neighbors. The Sanchar Saathis are provided with the necessary equipment, such as laptops and projectors, to conduct the training sessions in community centers, schools, and other public spaces.
One of the unique features of the Sanchar Saathi Portal is the use of mobile vans equipped with computers and projectors that travel to remote and inaccessible areas to provide digital literacy training. These mobile vans are known as Digital Rath, and they are an innovative approach to reach out to the most marginalized communities.
The Sanchar Saathi Portal also provides online assessment and certification for participants who complete the training courses. The certification serves as evidence of their digital literacy skills and can be used for employment and educational purposes.
The portal is a collaborative effort between various government agencies, private sector partners, and civil society organizations. It leverages the expertise and resources of these partners to provide comprehensive digital literacy training and support to communities across India.
The Sanchar Saathi Portal has been successful in reaching out to over 3.5 lakh beneficiaries since its launch. It has played a critical role in enabling individuals and communities to participate in the digital economy, access government services online, and connect with their peers and relatives.
The Sanchar Saathi Portal is an innovative initiative that has helped to bridge the digital divide in India. It has empowered rural and remote communities with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate the digital world, access information and services, and improve their quality of life. The portal is a testament to the government’s commitment to making digital technologies accessible to all and ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital age.