On September 17, 2020, WhatsApp has partnered with Common Services Centers (CSC) for a WhatsApp chatbot to empower rural communities by providing digital skills at their doorstep, and to create livelihood through promotion of rural entrepreneurship. WhatsApp chatbot is expected to be used by 10 million beneficiaries by August 2021.
- This partnership aims to provide cost-effective video, voice and data content and services, in the areas of e-governance, education, health, telemedicine, entertainment as well as other private services.
- People can send a “Namaste” at CSC Academy’s official WhatsApp account +91 99991 89321, to access details and course modules of flagship programmes.
What are CSCs?
The CSCs are physical facilities that deliver Government’s e-Services at rural and remote locations where access to computers and internet is negligible or absent.
- As per government, CSC is a ‘strategic cornerstone’ of the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP), approved by the government in May 2006, as part of its commitment in the National Common Minimum Programme to introduce e-governance on a massive scale.
Need for this Partnership:
Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA), an initiative of the government to provide digital literacy to 6 crore rural citizens, is being implemented by CSCs across the country. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, training has been suspended across the country. Now this partnership will enable the delivery of digital literacy modules through WhatsApp will help in the extension of the programme in rural as well as urban areas.
- Apart from PMGDISHA, there is also a Digital Beti initiative which aims to train 5,000 rural entrepreneurs on digital literacy in over 3,000 villages across 10 Indian states.
Recent Related News:
i.Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Company Limited has launched ‘Smart Assist’, a 1st of its kind technology service in the insurance industry. Through a secure screen sharing feature, the service allows the customers to connect with the company to avail real-time assistance on completing the purchase anywhere.
ii.In a boost to the railways’ efforts to use technology to ease infrastructure work, for the first time in India, Railway is using New Track Construction (NTC) machine for the entire track laying of the Dedicated Freight Corridors. The projects will be implemented by Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL).
About Whatsapp:
Owner– Facebook
Founders– Jan Koum and Brian Acton
