Google’s ‘Internet Saathi’s to cover 300,000 villages in India

‘Internet Saathi’ program is a digital literacy program that aims at empowering women in rural India.Google India on Wednesday announced that it has now reached 100,000 villages in the country. It also announced its plan to cover 300,000 villages across India in December the same year.

“From being afraid to touch a smartphone, worried that they will spoil it, to now demanding services that can help them get more from the internet — women in rural India have come a long way,” Sapna Chadha, Director Marketing, South East Asia and India at Google, a statement said.

“We are delighted with the progress we have made with the ‘Internet Saathi’ model and it is remarkable to see the passion of these women learning about the internet,” she added.

In its two years of journey it has been able to gain greater heights and make place for itself in 10 Indian states. Right now nearly 25,000 fully-trained ‘Internet Saathis’ are working everyday in these villages to help women and children learn about the internet.

In total, over 10 million women have gained from the program so far and have become familiar with the benefits of using the internet in their daily lives. Further, on the second-year anniversary of the program, Google also announced the expansion of the program in two new states — Haryana and Bihar.