#EkStep Foundation

[dhallblogs]

India Leverages Digital Public Infrastructure to Change the Face of Governance.

The occasion: an intellectual confluence of industry leaders, technocrats, and bureaucrats to discuss the possibilities of transforming India by ushering in a Digital Public Infrastructure(DPI) Revolution across the three pillars of the economy – Samaaj (civil society), Sarkar (government), and Bazaar (business).

ALSO READ MORE- https://apacnewsnetwork.com/2023/08/india-leverages-digital-public-infrastructure-to-change-the-face-of-governance/

[apacnewsnetwork0]

India Leverages Digital Public Infrastructure to Change the Face of Governance

The recent endorsement by the G20 Ministers plus the discourse from EkStep Foundation were further feathers in India’s DPI cap 

Rajneesh De, Consulting Editor, APAC News Network

“A single step of a man, a giant leap for mankind.” These were the immortal words of Neil Armstrong after landing on moon (perhaps even more relevant today after the euphoria of Chandrayan 3).

Decades later, another Indian luminary Nandan Nilekani seems to have almost paraphrased these immortal lines. “EkStep for India, a thousand steps for its billions.”

The occasion: 

an intellectual confluence of industry leaders, technocrats, and bureaucrats to discuss the possibilities of transforming India by ushering in a Digital Public Infrastructure(DPI) Revolution across the three pillars of the economy – Samaaj (civil society), Sarkar (government), and Bazaar (business).

The proponents: 

EkStep Foundation started by Nandan, Rohini Nilekani and Shankar Maruwada in 2015.

As per a recent IMF paper, between 2013 and March 2021, the Indian government saved up to 1.1% of GDP expenditure thanks to the advanced DPI. 

The Indian ecosystem has also witnessed a tremendous increase in the use of Digital Infrastructure, with a 200% increase in rural internet subscriptions against 158% in urban India between 2015 and 2021, as per the data from Press Information Bureau (PIB).

The focus areas included PeoplePlus Lifelong Learning, PeoplePlus AI for Societal Change, and PeoplePlus Open Networks. The Lifelong Learning focused on harnessing the power of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPIs) to enrich the learning experiences in FLN, vocational, and skilling sectors. 

The PeoplePlus AI for Societal Change deliberated on how AI can bring about societal changes by providing language as a bridge, turbocharging human capability, amplifying visibility and decision-making, and creating new possibilities and professions. 

The PeoplePlus Networks highlighted the importance of open networks for open opportunities in education & skilling to enable discoverability, accessibility, and inclusivity.

“Digital Public Infrastructure is a significant step forward for Bharat’s commitment to self-sustainability and technology leadership,” emphasized Nandan Nilekani.

India, through India Stack was the first country to develop all three foundational DPIs: digital identity (Aadhar), real-time fast payment (UPI) and a platform to safely share personal data without compromising privacy (Account Aggregator built on the Data Empowerment Protection Architecture or DEPA). Each DPI layer fills a clear need and generates considerable value across sectors.

Incidentally DPI has been collectively adopted by the G20 countries as a set of shared digital systems. This set obviously comes with a number of riders including security,  interoperablity,  on open standards and accessible for all, with governance and community as core components.

The G20 Digital Economy Ministers even arrived at a consensus to shape digital public infrastructure (DPI) of the future, as an accelerator of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) with the World Bank collaborated with the Government of India as its knowledge partner on DPI in the Digital Economy Working Group.  

Event the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, reiterated the “unshakable belief of India in innovation, speedy implementation of DPI, modulated by spirit of inclusion – leaving no one behind.” 

The G20 India Presidency also proposed the One Future Alliance’ (OFA) with support from UNDP and its knowledge partners. This alliance envisages a confluence of governments, tprivate sector, academic and research institutions, donor agencies, civil society organizations and other relevant stakeholders in the DPI ecosystem.

While theoretical discourses are fine, it is perhaps time to analyze the benefits of the digital public infrastructure for India. Creating a more equitable digital economy, reducing the wealth gap, empowering digital inclusion and enhancing service delivery obviously stand out. Add to these the reducing transaction costs, improving agricultural practices, improved decision making in governance, quick and effective disaster management and emergency response.

Notwithstanding the optimism, there are still bottlenecks around in more extensive DPI adoption.  The lack of access to infrastructure, digital divide and affordability are the top three challenges. Language and content barriers, physical and cognitive disabilities, privacy and security concerns as well as geographical disparities too pose as impediments.

A stronger policy and regulatory support, proper and timely investment in digital infrastructure, targeted use cases and services should be some of the action plans to mitigate these challenges.  Add to it more sensitivity towards localized content and language diversity.

Box: The G20 DPI Framework comprises three elements:

Technology in the form of interoperable and reusable digital systems and applications (e.g., software codes, protocols, standards) that can be used across different use cases and sectors;

Governance standards that codify human rights and protection of personal data, privacy, and intellectual property, as well as accessible and transparent grievance redressal mechanisms. Governance can also extend to cover institutions and funding;

A community of private sector and civil society actors who collaborate.

Box: Examples of digital infrastructure include:

Internet backbone, broadband.

Mobile telecom and digital communication suites, including applications.

Data centers and networks.

Enterprise portals, platforms, systems, and software.

Cloud services and software.

Operational security, user identity and data encryption.

Also Read More - https://apacnewsnetwork.com/2023/08/india-leverages-digital-public-infrastructure-to-change-the-face-of-governance/

[news365timesindia]

[ad_1] At PURPLE FEST 2025, Tech Mahindra Foundation, the CSR arm of Tech Mahindra Ltd., a Mahindra Group company, unveiled "THE ABILITY NETWORK" (TAN). This pioneering initiative will provide verified information and essential guidance to persons with disabilities and their primary caregivers, enabling them to lead lives of dignity and independence, through a collaborative network of credible partners from both civil society and the private sector.   TMF launches "The Ability Network" in the presence of Dr. Virendra Kumar, Hon’ble Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment, and Mr Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, DEPwD, GOI   According to a 2023 World Health Organization (WHO) report, over 15% of the global population—approximately 1 in 6 individuals—experiences significant disability. In India, an estimated 70-80 million people live with various disabilities. Despite this substantial population, an accessible, on-demand ecosystem providing timely information and support for persons with disabilities and their caregivers remains largely non-existent, particularly in marginalized communities.   The absence of early and timely interventions often results in persons with disabilities facing discrimination, educational exclusion, and denial of their fundamental right to a dignified life. Meanwhile, caregivers frequently report feeling isolated, unsupported, and financially burdened, despite their deep commitment to helping their loved ones thrive.   The Ability Network is spearheaded by Tech Mahindra Foundation in collaboration with expert partners including Enable India, Ujwal Impact Advisors, Nayi Disha, and Ekstep Foundation. In addition, Tech Mahindra Ltd.’s Maker’s Lab is lending tech support to the initiative. Together, they are developing solutions to empower persons with disabilities across India to lead independent, fulfilling lives.   In its initial phase, the initiative will focus on individuals with visual impairments, hearing impairments, and intellectual disabilities across Telangana and Bengaluru. The Ability Network will be accessible through both a web-based application and a mobile app, launching in the coming months. Users will be able to communicate their needs in their preferred language via text or audio. The platform aims to build a comprehensive community connecting experienced solution providers, product innovators, and grassroots organizations with those seeking information and services.   On the occasion of the launch, Mr. Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary – Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, MSJE (GOI), stated, “Initiatives like The Ability Network can enable the entire ecosystem and bring about a change not only at the grassroots level but also at the policy well. We are glad that a corporate like Tech Mahindra Foundation has taken the leap in this regard and we urge other corporates and organisations to join hands in this endeavour.”   Mr. Chetan Kapoor, CEO of Tech Mahindra Foundation, emphasized the significance of The Ability Network, "Access to information and guidance about services and products for persons with disabilities and their caregivers has been scarce at best and for far too long. The Ability Network enables the discovery of verified information and guidance that is crucial for primary caregivers of children with disabilities and opens a new paradigm in mainstreaming inclusion in India—benefiting not only those directly involved but the entire Indian economy. We are grateful to the Hon’ble Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar of Social Justice & Empowerment and Mr. Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, for their presence and support to this initiative."   For more information about The Ability Network, please contact: [email protected].   About Tech Mahindra Foundation Tech Mahindra Foundation (TMF) is the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of Tech Mahindra Limited, Mahindra Group Company.

Since 2006, guided by the vision of Empowerment through Education, the Foundation drives impactful initiatives in education and employability, with a strong focus on empowering women and persons with disabilities. Operating across 26 locations in India and collaborating with over 90 partners, our initiatives are creating meaningful and inclusive opportunities for all. Since FY 2012-13, the Foundation has impacted 6,53,019 lives with its initiatives.   About The Ability Network  The Ability Network aims to provide access to curated information as well as high quality, affordable services through a range of solution providers. The network will act as a collaborator of different stakeholders ranging from healthcare (including preventive and chronic care, early detection of disabilities), education, vocational training, therapy & counselling, assistive technology and more. Apart from the end user, nonprofits providing crucial services will find a larger user base, for-profits/social entrepreneurs will find a customer base for their products and collaboration with the government will ensure systemic changes at policy level for PwDs. Currently, a small unit at Tech Mahindra Foundation is working closely with EkStep Foundation, UIA PwD, Nayi Disha & Enable India to create the framework for TAN and prepare for the first phase of launch by June 2025.  !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window,document,'script', 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); fbq('init', '311356416665414'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); [ad_2] Source link

[news365times]

[ad_1] At PURPLE FEST 2025, Tech Mahindra Foundation, the CSR arm of Tech Mahindra Ltd., a Mahindra Group company, unveiled "THE ABILITY NETWORK" (TAN). This pioneering initiative will provide verified information and essential guidance to persons with disabilities and their primary caregivers, enabling them to lead lives of dignity and independence, through a collaborative network of credible partners from both civil society and the private sector.   TMF launches "The Ability Network" in the presence of Dr. Virendra Kumar, Hon’ble Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment, and Mr Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, DEPwD, GOI   According to a 2023 World Health Organization (WHO) report, over 15% of the global population—approximately 1 in 6 individuals—experiences significant disability. In India, an estimated 70-80 million people live with various disabilities. Despite this substantial population, an accessible, on-demand ecosystem providing timely information and support for persons with disabilities and their caregivers remains largely non-existent, particularly in marginalized communities.   The absence of early and timely interventions often results in persons with disabilities facing discrimination, educational exclusion, and denial of their fundamental right to a dignified life. Meanwhile, caregivers frequently report feeling isolated, unsupported, and financially burdened, despite their deep commitment to helping their loved ones thrive.   The Ability Network is spearheaded by Tech Mahindra Foundation in collaboration with expert partners including Enable India, Ujwal Impact Advisors, Nayi Disha, and Ekstep Foundation. In addition, Tech Mahindra Ltd.’s Maker’s Lab is lending tech support to the initiative. Together, they are developing solutions to empower persons with disabilities across India to lead independent, fulfilling lives.   In its initial phase, the initiative will focus on individuals with visual impairments, hearing impairments, and intellectual disabilities across Telangana and Bengaluru. The Ability Network will be accessible through both a web-based application and a mobile app, launching in the coming months. Users will be able to communicate their needs in their preferred language via text or audio. The platform aims to build a comprehensive community connecting experienced solution providers, product innovators, and grassroots organizations with those seeking information and services.   On the occasion of the launch, Mr. Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary – Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, MSJE (GOI), stated, “Initiatives like The Ability Network can enable the entire ecosystem and bring about a change not only at the grassroots level but also at the policy well. We are glad that a corporate like Tech Mahindra Foundation has taken the leap in this regard and we urge other corporates and organisations to join hands in this endeavour.”   Mr. Chetan Kapoor, CEO of Tech Mahindra Foundation, emphasized the significance of The Ability Network, "Access to information and guidance about services and products for persons with disabilities and their caregivers has been scarce at best and for far too long. The Ability Network enables the discovery of verified information and guidance that is crucial for primary caregivers of children with disabilities and opens a new paradigm in mainstreaming inclusion in India—benefiting not only those directly involved but the entire Indian economy. We are grateful to the Hon’ble Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar of Social Justice & Empowerment and Mr. Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, for their presence and support to this initiative."   For more information about The Ability Network, please contact: [email protected].   About Tech Mahindra Foundation Tech Mahindra Foundation (TMF) is the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of Tech Mahindra Limited, Mahindra Group Company.

Since 2006, guided by the vision of Empowerment through Education, the Foundation drives impactful initiatives in education and employability, with a strong focus on empowering women and persons with disabilities. Operating across 26 locations in India and collaborating with over 90 partners, our initiatives are creating meaningful and inclusive opportunities for all. Since FY 2012-13, the Foundation has impacted 6,53,019 lives with its initiatives.   About The Ability Network  The Ability Network aims to provide access to curated information as well as high quality, affordable services through a range of solution providers. The network will act as a collaborator of different stakeholders ranging from healthcare (including preventive and chronic care, early detection of disabilities), education, vocational training, therapy & counselling, assistive technology and more. Apart from the end user, nonprofits providing crucial services will find a larger user base, for-profits/social entrepreneurs will find a customer base for their products and collaboration with the government will ensure systemic changes at policy level for PwDs. Currently, a small unit at Tech Mahindra Foundation is working closely with EkStep Foundation, UIA PwD, Nayi Disha & Enable India to create the framework for TAN and prepare for the first phase of launch by June 2025.  !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window,document,'script', 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); fbq('init', '311356416665414'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); [ad_2] Source link

[indialeaders]

Shankar Maruwada on The ILSS Digital Transformation for Social Impact Program

Shankar Maruwada, co-founder and CEO of EkStep Foundation, emphasises that it's time for social purpose organisations (SPOs) to leverage technology to deliver programs, scale up, and significantly boost their efficiency.

The ILSS Digital Transformation for Social Impact Program caters to the technological needs of SPOs and help them design their own digital transformation roadmap.

[noisynutcrusade]

Could Inclusive Education Transform Indian Classrooms?

This article has been published in partnership with EkStep Foundation. In the late 1800s, when Dr Maria Montessori was working at a psychiatric clinic in Rome, she would often visit asylums for children with intellectual disabilities (then referred to as “mental disorders”). It was here that she observed that these children needed a more stimulating environment, that “in such a bare, unfurnished…

[priyachetty-blog-blog]

Be there at 5 pm with Akshara Foundation & a stellar plan while ‘it all adds up’! Tuesday, December 22, 2020 Time: 5.00pm to 7.30pm (IST) Link to register for the Symposium: https://forms.gle/SLLWRmPazGsCqd1M7 Please note: this event will be held on Zoom and the link to log into the sessions will be sent to your inbox, closer to the date of the event. SESSIONS INAUGURAL SESSION : FOUNDATIONAL NUMERACY IN THE CONTEXT OF THE NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY 2020 Shri. T. M. Vijay Bhaskar, IAS - Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka Shri. Anil Swarup IAS (Retd.) - Former Secretary, Government of India followed by the launch of Akshara's digital content in Math for Grades 1-5, along with Rekha Menon - Chairman, Accenture India and Trustee, Akshara Foundation PANEL DISCUSSION : DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES IN THE INDIAN EDUCATION CONTEXT Panelists: Shankar Maruwada - Co-Founder and CEO, EkStep Sanjeev Malhotra - CEO at Centre of Excellence for IOT & AI, Nasscom Namita Dalmia - Director, Investments at Omidyar Network India Moderator: Ashok Kamath - Chairman, Akshara Foundation PANEL DISCUSSION : THE DIASPORA VOICE IN EDUCATING INDIA’S CHILDREN Panelists: Vasu Aithala - Hoysala Trust, Houston, USA Chaya Rao - PUSA, North Carolina, USA Vijay Vemulapalli - Secretary and Board Member, Vibha, USA Moderator: Nishith Acharya – Founder and CEO Equal Innovation, Boston, MA. and Trustee, Akshara Foundation GANITHA KALIKA ANDOLANA - A REPORT By Principal Investigators at J-PAL, USA CLOSING REMARKS @priyachetty - Priya Chetty-Rajagopal Founder & Managing Partner, @multiversaladvisory and Trustee, Akshara Foundation Register Now You will get an email with the link to log into the session via Zoom, closer to the date of the event. We look forward to seeing you on December 22, 2020. For any queries, please write to sushmita@akshara.org.in (at Bangalore, India) https://www.instagram.com/p/CJFx19DFtJi/?igshid=1qhhb8ld76uhy

[indialeaders]

ILSSOnline: Navigating Digital Transformation in the Social Sector - Insights and Strategies

In our recent webinar, ‘Navigating Digital Transformation in the Social Sector - Insights and Strategies,’ our panelists Rekha Koita and Rizwan Koita, co-founders, Koita Foundation, and Shankar Maruwada, co-founder and CEO, EkStep Foundation had a candid discussion about the state and future of digital transformation (DT) in the Indian social sector landscape.

[noisynutcrusade]

Why We Need to Reclaim & Build Spaces for Our Kids 

This article was published in collaboration with EkStep Foundation. When Anthill Creations, a Bengaluru-based non-profit organisation building low cost and sustainable playgrounds around the country, began their operations in 2017, the discourse around playgrounds and the infrastructure required to build them wasn’t very advanced.  “When we started out, there was a lack of awareness around the…

[noisynutcrusade]

A Peak Inside India's DIY, Sustainable Playgrounds

This article was published in collaboration with EkStep Foundation. When Pooja Rai was a student of architecture at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur, she would volunteer at Disha Seema Care Centre, a school for underprivileged children located on campus. During one visit, she observed a few girls playing on broken cement pipes while some construction work was going on…