Enhancing Rural Development via Digital Advancements: The Role of NGOs

Abstract

Mahatma Gandhi once said “India lives in its villages” and looking at the present scenario from the social, economic and political perspectives this statement seems valid even today. Hence Rural Development which is concerned with economic growth and social justice, improvement in the living standard of the rural people by providing adequate and quality social services and minimum basic needs becomes essential. Non-government organizations with their advantage of non- rigid, locality specific, felt need-based, beneficiary oriented and committed nature of service have established multitude of roles which can effect rural development. A number of NGOs have been playing a vital role in rural community development, to enable them to lead a dignified life by building their capabilities,strengthening community institutions and mobilising resources. The present era is being characterized by “Revolution in information technology” which is popularly known as Information Communication Technology (ICT), including gadgets which processes to access, retrieve, store, organize, manipulate, produce, present and exchange information by electronic and automated means. So ICT refers to tools that facilitate production, transmission and processing of information. In developing countries like India, ICT has always been an important factor behind development. Even in areas where there is hardly any development, ICT has been considered to change some part of it. It has showed traces in the smallest of villages. In the present era of digitalization ict plays an important role in rural development. Various ICT initiatives has been undertaken by NGOs like DIGITAL GREEN-Video Kheti,Sampark.net, Oracle Smart Community Interface, ICT for Poor, RAIN etc . These ICT initiatives by NGOs focuses on transforming agriculture and other allied activities in to a sustainable & vibrant activity, which will improve rural people' livelihood and bring respect to their profession and. works towards uplifting the socio-economic status of the rural people.