Google India’s Internet Saathi Programme Reachs 2.6 Lakh Villages

On July 16, Google India made an announcement that its Internet Saathi programme that educates rural women how to leverage the Internet has come to Odisha and Punjab. As such, this programme has been available in 2.6 lakh villages from 20 Indian states.

The Internet Saathi programme was first introduced as a pilot projects fours years ago. Google has partnered with Tata Trusts to deploy the project and help women learn to use the Internet so that they can keep training others in their neighboring villages and community.

During the four years, 70000 “Internet Saathis” have used the Internet to bring a variety of positive changes to their community. In addition, they have helped more than 2.6 crore female colleagues.

According to the Chief Internet Saathi of Google India Neha Barjatya,

Some women have begun to build their micro-business from honeybee farming to stitching. Meanwhile, some are looking for new ways to improve their daily life.

Barjatya further said,

Google India plans to carry out the programme at about 5000 villages in Punjab, and more than 16000 villages in Odisha.

Tata Trusts Head Raman Kalyanakrishnan said,

Google has recently teamed up with Kantar to conduct a study in which more than 2500 rural Indians were interviewed. The collaboration aims to help the company to evaluate the impacts of Internet access towards their own livelihood.

According to Kantar ICUBE Study 2018,

Each 8 in 10 Saathis, as well as their beneficiaries, think that their villagers tend to look up to them more.

The study pointed out,

3 in 10 Saathis and 2 in 10 beneficiaries have now started their own businesses. Besides, the business reportedly makes monthly profits ranging from Rs 3000 to Rs 5000. In other words, this project from Google has significantly contributed to economic growth in India.

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