Indus Valley Times

Aims to enhance the digital learning outreach for beneficiaries

By Prakash Panigrahi

Berhampur, July 8 TP Southern Odisha Distribution Limited (TPSODL), the joint venture between Tata Power and Odisha Government for power distribution in Southern Odisha, in a step towards enhancing digital literacy, is organizing Digital Literacy Campaigns across all its licenced area of operations. The company through this campaign aims to provide necessary exposure to rural communities with the digital space and has already trained 2,500 women Self Help Groups (WSHs) under this campaign. 

Through this campaign, TPSODL has already reached over 10 lakh individuals (covering nearly 1,000 Gram Panchayats) and has sensitized them to the benefits of digital exposure, online payment options, digital incentives, accessing government schemes, and educational content through inter personal interactions along with village and block-level group meetings. These campaigns cover districts such as Ganjam, Gajapati, Koraput, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Nabarangapur, Kandhamal, and Boudh. To further ensure maximum outreach in some of the most interior locations, TPSODL officials, in collaboration with NGO partners, are conducting door-to-door campaigns to train rural youth, college-going girls, Women Self Help Group (SHG) members, Panchayati Raj representatives, ASHA workers, and Anganwadi workers on various aspects of digital literacy. In addition to household-level campaigns, more than 300 small group meetings have been conducted to foster enthusiasm for digital literacy in different Panchayats.

“We are proud to empower over 2,500 Women Self Help Groups through our Digital Literacy Campaign. By extending digital learning opportunities to these beneficiaries, we aim to bridge the digital divide and enable them to harness the full potential of the digital world. TPSODL Team is contributing towards the digital empowerment and socio-economic development of the communities through such initiatives,” said Mr Amit Garg, Chief Executive Officer, TP Southern Odisha Distribution Ltd.

The campaign aims to provide rural communities with exposure to the digital world. During the campaign, TPSODL officials distribute Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials, covering topics such as different aspects online payments and accessing pool of information available on the internet. By participating in this campaign, beneficiaries gain a better understanding of the digital landscape and the benefits of digital world and accessing various services through digital platforms.

TPSODL, in partnership with the NGO, is actively reaching out to remote hilly and tribal villages to ensure the success of this campaign. This also includes meetings with different stakeholders and community groups, including SHG federations, civic societies, farmer groups, and Panchayati Raj Institute members, are organized to raise awareness about the importance of digital literacy for the general public.

As part of the campaign, TPSODL has also raised awareness about the dedicated toll-free helpline numbers, 1800-345-6797 and 1912, enabling consumers to seek assistance for any electricity-related issues.