New Delhi: As India celebrated a decade of its transformative Digital India programme, the spotlight shone brightly on individuals who have truly brought the digital revolution to the grassroots. Among them was Rose Angelina M. Kharsyntiew, a dedicated Village Level Entrepreneur (VLE) hailing from the Eastern West Khasi Hills of Meghalaya, whose remarkable contributions were lauded at a national event in the capital. Her journey stands as a powerful testament to how digital access at the village level is not merely a convenience, but a profound catalyst for empowerment and significant economic transformation.
Kharsyntiew, whose path began in 2015 as someone actively seeking employment, has since blossomed into a pivotal figure in her community. From Mairang, she now successfully operates “Rose CSC,” a hub for a diverse array of digital services offered under the comprehensive Common Services Centre (CSC) scheme. Through her centre, villagers gain crucial access to a multitude of government schemes, essential banking and insurance services, vital telemedicine consultations, and invaluable educational resources. Beyond these digital offerings, Kharsyntiew is also at the helm of a sanitary pad manufacturing unit, an initiative under the Stree Swabhiman programme. This venture not only generates much-needed employment opportunities but also plays a crucial role in promoting menstrual health awareness in rural areas, addressing a critical need within the community.
Her exemplary efforts did not go unnoticed at the grand “10 Years of Digital India” celebration, held with much fanfare at the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre. Union Minister for Electronics and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, personally commended Kharsyntiew’s work, hailing it as nothing short of a “digital revolution” unfolding in one of the nation’s most geographically remote regions. The event also saw the esteemed presence of Minister of State Jitin Prasada, further underscoring the significance of the occasion and the recognition bestowed upon grassroots champions like Kharsyntiew.
The CSC scheme, a cornerstone of the Digital India initiative, has witnessed an extraordinary expansion since its inception. From a modest 83,000 centres, it has burgeoned to an impressive over 5.5 lakh centres, now extending its reach to nearly 90% of India’s vast network of villages. Central to this monumental growth have been women VLEs like Rose Angelina M. Kharsyntiew, whose numbers have swelled to over 74,000, truly embodying the spirit of digital inclusion and self-reliance.
Looking ahead, the government also unveiled plans for upcoming initiatives aimed at further amplifying the programme’s reach and impact, including an ambitious plan to provide free artificial intelligence training to 10 lakh individuals. As the next transformative phase of Digital India prepares to roll out, compelling narratives such as Kharsyntiew’s serve as a powerful reminder of the tangible and transformative real-world impact that digital inclusion can have at the very grassroots of the nation.
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