The July newsletter brings together stories of how SoochnaPreneur Centres are helping people access essential digital and government services while creating new livelihood opportunities. It also looks at how young people are building digital skills and how artisans are using technology to promote their products and reach new customers. From Allam Trimod and E. Ramesh…
Deep within the rugged hills of Ayodhya in Purulia lies a world that often remains invisible to mainstream development narratives
Deep within the rugged hills of Ayodhya in Purulia lies a world that often remains invisible to mainstream development narratives
Community-centric SBC Landscape_DEF Presentation
Last weekend, at the ImagiNxt summit in Mumbai, I sat in the audience listening to a panel discussion titled “The other India is already innovating” where DEF Founder-Director Osama Manzar, as one of the panellists, joined the conversation on grassroots innovation.
As part of the observance of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) 2026, a multi-stakeholder dialogue is being convened to reflect on the evolving journey of telecommunications and the internet, and their profound impact on societies across the world. At a time when digital technologies increasingly shape economies, governance systems, education, healthcare, livelihoods, and…
As artificial intelligence, cloud technologies, and digital economies continue to expand rapidly across the world, the physical infrastructure powering these systems often remains invisible in mainstream conversations. Behind every digital service lies a growing network of data centers that require vast amounts of land, water, energy, and resources. While these developments are frequently associated with…
“Receiving the Artisan Card has given us a new identity and confidence. Earlier, we were making jute products but had no formal recognition. Now we can access government schemes, trainings, and bigger market opportunities. This support has encouraged us to dream bigger for our future,” shares a Rural Woman Entrepreneur from the Herampur Jute Cluster…
In the Majlishbag area of Malda district, West Bengal, Sampa Mahali is steadily building a stronger future for herself and her family through her bamboo handicraft enterprise. What was once a small livelihood activity rooted in traditional craftsmanship is now evolving into a growing social enterprise, supported by digital learning and entrepreneurship development under the…
“Education has always been close to my heart, and being able to contribute to my community through it gives me a deep sense of purpose,” shares SoochnaPreneur Nagendra Chaturvedi. Nagendra Chaturvedi, from Umri in Madhya Pradesh, has been associated with the Digital Empowerment Foundation since 2014 and has worked extensively on grassroots initiatives related to…
