Vodafone India Foundation, in partnership with CGI and NASSCOM Foundation has launched ‘DigiSakshar.org’ an online digital skills portal to help people of India become self-reliant through digital literacy.

A CSR initiative of Vodafone Idea, developed under their ‘Connecting for Good program’, 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 an 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 Ms. 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, Chief Regulatory and Corporate Affairs Officer, Vodafone Idea Limited 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 launch of Digisakshar – which I am sure will contribute to a resilient and skilled India.”

“At CGI we strive to make a positive impact through technology.” said George Mattackal, President of Asia Pacific Global Delivery Centers of Excellence, CGI during the launch. “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.”

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 offers more than 40 courses in both Hindi and English, curated 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 .