What is the Digital Bus initiative?

About Digital Bus initiative: 

• It is a joint venture between the National Digital India Mission and the NIIT Foundation.
• It was started in 2017, aims to take technology to remote areas and also foster innovation and offer new opportunities and ensure that every community is able to thrive in the digital age.
• Objective
  • Reducing the Digital divide for those living in remote areas
  • Providing Linkages to Government programs and initiatives
  • Enhancing interest-levels in learning
  • Introducing the multidisciplinary approach to education
  • Encouraging collaborative learning
  • Developing interpersonal skills
  • Providing awareness on technology amongst rural community
  • Providing equal opportunities for rural youth
• Features of buses: These are solar-powered, 5G-enabled and are fully furnished classrooms with computers, Internet, and camera/video capabilities, with preinstalled e-courses, all available free of cost.
• Focus of the courses: These courses focus on fundamental functions like using e-mail, the Internet, and applications.
• It offers a career programme to help the beneficiary look for a job in the nearest city of town.

Q1: What is India’s ‘Digital India’ initiative?

It was launched in 2015, strives to provide universal access to digital infrastructure, services, and efficient governance. A significant part of this effort is the recently proposed Digital India Act 2023 (DIA), which aims to establish flexible regulations that can adapt to technological changes, offer accessible mechanisms for online offense resolution, and ensure a legislative framework aligned with overarching governing principles.

Source: How the Digital Bus initiative has empowered young adults in remote areas of the country

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