Internet Saathi programme expansion to Punjab and Odisha

The Internet Saathi Programme, an initiative launched jointly by Google India and Tata Trusts, expanded to the Indian states of Punjab and Odisha as part of its broader mission to promote digital literacy and empower rural women through internet awareness and training. This expansion represented a major step in bridging the digital divide in rural India, bringing the benefits of internet connectivity to women who had previously been excluded from digital access and online opportunities.

Background

The Internet Saathi Programme was launched in 2015 as a rural digital literacy initiative to promote the use of the internet among women in villages. The project began as a pilot in Rajasthan and soon expanded across several states, training local women—known as Saathis—to serve as community trainers and digital ambassadors.
The key idea behind the initiative was to address the gender gap in internet usage in rural India, where women often had little access to technology and information. By enabling women to learn about the internet, smartphones, and online services, the programme sought to empower them with knowledge related to education, health, finance, and entrepreneurship.

Expansion to Punjab and Odisha

The decision to expand the programme to Punjab and Odisha was taken in December 2018, marking a significant milestone in its geographical reach. Before this expansion, the Internet Saathi initiative was already active in more than fifteen states including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal.
With the inclusion of Punjab and Odisha, the programme’s coverage extended to:

• 20 States across India.
• Over 290,000 villages connected.
• More than 25 million rural women trained in basic digital literacy.

The expansion aimed to replicate the success of the initiative in northern and central India, where it had already transformed rural women’s access to information, communication, and financial inclusion.

Implementation Approach

The programme functioned through a train-the-trainer model, where selected women from villages—referred to as Internet Saathis—were trained by field teams in the use of smartphones, tablets, and internet-based applications. These trained women then visited neighbouring villages to educate other women on how to:

• Use search engines and mobile apps.
• Access information on healthcare, agriculture, education, and employment.
• Utilise digital payments and government e-services.
• Communicate through online platforms and social media.

Each Internet Saathi was provided with an internet-enabled device and learning materials. She was expected to continue supporting her community even after the initial training phase, thereby ensuring the sustainability of digital literacy efforts.
In Punjab and Odisha, the programme adapted to local contexts:

• In Punjab, the initiative focused on agricultural awareness, digital payment systems, and e-governance services, reflecting the state’s strong agricultural base and interest in technology adoption.
• In Odisha, emphasis was placed on access to healthcare, education, and financial inclusion, targeting rural women in remote and tribal regions where digital penetration was particularly low.

Goals and Outcomes

The overarching goals of the Internet Saathi Programme were:

• To reduce the digital gender gap in rural India.
• To create a network of digitally literate women capable of empowering others.
• To enable rural communities to access online government services, financial tools, and learning opportunities.
• To foster economic participation through digital marketplaces and small-scale entrepreneurship.

The programme achieved measurable outcomes across India:

• Increased digital participation: Women who had never used a smartphone before learned to browse, search, and communicate online.
• Enhanced socio-economic awareness: Many Saathis reported using the internet to access agricultural advice, health tips, and information on government schemes.
• Improved confidence and leadership: The initiative encouraged women to take leadership roles within their communities, challenging traditional gender norms.

In Punjab and Odisha, early reports highlighted a rapid rise in smartphone use among women and increased awareness of online education and e-commerce.

Social and Economic Impact

The Internet Saathi Programme’s expansion to Punjab and Odisha contributed to several broader developmental goals:

• Empowerment of rural women: By acquiring digital skills, women became capable of making informed decisions for themselves and their families.
• Promotion of entrepreneurship: Many trained women started small businesses or assisted others in setting up digital transactions and accessing online marketplaces.
• Community development: The network of Internet Saathis became a catalyst for social change, improving communication and connectivity across rural communities.
• Support for Digital India: The initiative complemented the central government’s Digital India mission, promoting digital inclusion and rural connectivity.

Challenges and Sustainability

Despite its success, the programme faced challenges:

• Limited internet connectivity in remote villages affected training continuity.
• Socio-cultural barriers sometimes restricted women’s participation due to traditional gender roles.
• Ensuring long-term engagement of Saathis beyond the initial training phase required ongoing community and institutional support.

To address these issues, Google and Tata Trusts partnered with local NGOs, state governments, and community organisations to strengthen local networks and sustain digital awareness campaigns.

Significance

The inclusion of Punjab and Odisha in the Internet Saathi network marked the continued expansion of one of India’s most impactful rural digital literacy programmes. It represented a milestone in promoting gender-inclusive digital transformation, ensuring that rural women were not left behind in the nation’s technological progress.