By Digital Empowerment Foundation Published on: August 31, 2025 In the village of Babudih in Bokaro, Jharkhand, lives a woman whose story is as much about resilience as it is about transformation. Sumitra Bala Devi, was married off in childhood but refused to let circumstances clip her wings. With her husband, a driver, struggling to…
By Digital Empowerment Foundation Published on: August 31, 2025 In the quiet lanes of rural Uttar Pradesh, where access to government services and digital knowledge often feels out of reach, a young woman is steadily rewriting the story. Her name is Reena Ji. A BA second-year student with a calm determination in her voice, Reena…
By Digital Empowerment Foundation Published on: August 31, 2025 This month’s newsletter is a reminder that the story of digital transformation is as much about people as it is about technology. Across rural India, women are breaking barriers and reshaping the narrative of empowerment. For them, a smartphone, a printer, or an internet connection is…
By Digital Empowerment Foundation Published on: June 30, 2025 In today’s algorithmically governed world, the digital space has become a battleground for justice. From deciding who receives welfare benefits to whose identities are erased by misinformation, algorithms and data infrastructures are increasingly shaping public life. The Algorithmic Chronicles and Digital Democracy: Democracy of Whom? projects,…
By Digital Empowerment Foundation Published on: June 30, 2025 This blog is published by the Just AI – Data and Algorithms for Communities initiative at Digital Empowerment Foundation. As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly embedded in systems of governance, economy, and daily life, its social impact can no longer be viewed as a secondary concern.…
By Digital Empowerment Foundation Published on: June 30, 2025 As India moves away from coal, how do we ensure communities are not left behind? This edition highlights DEF’s journey in Jharkhand’s coal regions — blending research, digital empowerment, and community leadership to build pathways for a just, inclusive transition. Over the last two years, the…
By Digital Empowerment Foundation Published on: June 30, 2025 Parvez Alam is an inspiring example of how digital technology can elevate rural business initiatives. He has grown from a tiny community service provider to a vibrant digital entrepreneur as Spoke Coordinator at the Shababpur Smartpur Centre, which is supported by the Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF).…
By Digital Empowerment Foundation Published on: June 30, 2025 Shankar Prasad Mahto, a 60-year-old resident of Deoria village in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, had long been seeking clarity on various government welfare schemes. Like many elderly citizens in remote rural areas, he was unsure of the eligibility criteria, documentation, and application processes required to access these schemes.…
By Digital Empowerment Foundation Published on: June 30, 2025 In West Bengal, where talent meets tradition, artisans have been weaving, stitching, carving, and crafting for generations. In rural areas, despite their skills, access to sustainable markets and consistent income has remained elusive. Digikargha, working at the intersection of craft and commerce, has taken a transformative…
By Digital Empowerment Foundation Published on: June 30, 2025 In the quiet village of Payranga, nestled in Assam’s Kamrup district, Karina Begum quietly sustained herself by stitching traditional garments. A third-generation artisan, Karina inherited the intricate craft of making mekhela chadors, handwoven textiles that carry the rich cultural legacy of Assam. Despite her artistry, her…