Literacy, simply put in layman’s term, is the ability to read, write, speak and listen in a manner that eventually enables effective communication. Literacy is undeniably the most indispensable skill-acquisition in the modern world today and without it, the world today would come to a standstill.
Literacy skills have always been integral to the mode of communication. We have witnessed how the modes of communication have progressed from postal letters to telegraph messages to the telephone, internet and then text messaging via a cell phone and the electronic mail. Today, communication can be done by just choosing one option among the gamut of ways to communicate. It is quite an irony that what we as adults struggle to learn today as a necessity, children learn as part of their daily lives, like language, which they learn without realizing that they are learning it. This could also be evidently observed by the way a three year old child can turn your Smartphone into his favorite gadget.When we talk about literacy today, we cannot deny the fact that in the “Digital world”, we as digital citizens cannot afford to lag behind in the race to “Digital Literacy”. What we must understand is that Digital literacy is more than just knowing how to send a text or watch a video online. It means having the knowledge and ability to use a range of tools that technology offers for varied purposes in a safe and secure way. A digitally literate person can use technology strategically to find and evaluate information, connect and collaborate with others, produce and share original content, and use the Internet and technology tools to achieve many academic, professional, and personal goals.
The need for Digital literacy in a country as populous and diverse as ours is critical. With this idea in mind the National Digital Literacy Mission (NDLM) was formed with the vision, initially to provide Information Communication and Technology (ICT) training to 10 lakh persons, one in every eligible household in selected Blocks in each State/ UT of the country. Out of 10 lakhs, 9 lakhs will be trained through government machinery and 1 lakh through Industry, NGOs and others through their own resources/ under Corporate Social Responsibility. The objective is to impart basic ICT skills relevant to the need of the trainees, which would enable the citizens to use IT and related applications and participate actively in the democratic process and further enhance opportunities for their livelihood. The persons shall be able to access information, knowledge and skill through the use of digital devices.
Two levels of training under the SCHEME
The two levels of IT training envisaged under the Scheme will have the following broad objectives:
1. Appreciation of Digital Literacy (Level 1)
To make a person IT literate, so that he/ she can operate digital devices, like mobile phones, tablets, etc., send and receive emails and search Internet for information, etc.
2. Basics of Digital Literacy (Level 2)
Besides IT literacy at a higher level, the citizen would also be trained to effectively access the various e-Governance services being offered to the citizen by the Government and other agencies.
Place of Learning
The eligible households can nominate one person from their family. The selected person to get himself enrolled under this programme in a nearest designated Training Centre/ Common Service Center (CSC).
Implementation Process
NGOs, Industries, Government authorized centres, Common Services Centres (CSCs) and authorized educational institutions with appropriate infrastructure will be utilised to train and empower ten lakh citizens on IT literacy in select Gram Panchayat/ Blocks/ Districts of each State/ UT. The training will be held at various training locations including CSCs, Adult Literacy Centres, NIELIT Centres, RSETI, NGOs involved in IT Literacy, etc
Each State government and UT administration shall appoint a State Implementing Agency (SIA) to ensure the smooth implementation of the Scheme. The SIA for Nagaland is the Nagaland State e-Governance Society (NSeGS)
NIELIT initiatives under Digital India and the NDLM
National Institute of Electronics & IT (NIELIT), Kohima under the Department of Electronics & IT, Govt. of India has been engaged proactively, ever since its inception, in giving impetus to the nation-wide drive for technology revolution in the country. These constructive initiatives of the institute, in particular, running of Digital Literacy Courses (IT proficiency Courses) complements the core objective of Digital India to transform the country into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. In order to create digitally literate population, NIELIT has devised ICT Proficiency courses with soft skill components that provide incumbents with an articulate approach and language for development of skills in ICT and harnessing their capabilities. The courses will emphasize on skill development and latest trends in the technological arena, which will help an individual to bridge and close the technological gaps and minimizing the digital divide.
Digital literacy is one of the most important components of being a digital citizen - a person who is responsible for how they utilize technology to interact with the world around them and benefit from their uses. It is time to scale the digital divide and join the rest of the world, transform our country into “Digital India”. Rich or poor, it makes no difference because Digital India is for everyone. Rather, in the words of our prime minister, “When I say ‘Digital India’, it is not meant for the rich but for those who are poor.”
For more details on the NDLM please visit http://www.ndlm.in/ and for various courses offered by NIELIT Kohima, please visit http://kohima.nielit.gov.in/
