#SBIGramSeva’s #CommunityInformationCenters Make #DigitalVillages @SBI_FOUNDATION

05 November 2018,  Chakai (Jamui) & Deoghar: Community Information Centers (CICs) inside villages by SBI Gram Seva project proved a tool to initiate digitalization of the people in need of mainstreaming. In Chakai block of Jamui district (Bihar), 5 villages under Ramchandradih panchayat have established own CICs  and these are well equipped with computers and internet connectivity. Many village children & youths are enrolled there to learn basic knowledge of computers & net surfing. There are 72, 67, 36, 36 and 62 students at Heth Chakai, Patjori, Garhi, Mamtadih and Chhachudih villages based CICs respectively, who joined computer classes there. Likewise in Barsatiya, Gadi, Nawadih, Ramaldih and Sahri villages of Andhrigadar panchayat under Deoghar Sadar block (district-Deoghar), such CICs are catering 17, 15, 17, 13 & 12 children/youths there in order. These centers are making people hopeful and serving them at their door step.

All these CICs are part of an itegrated project for community development as SBI Gram Seva, an CSR initiative of State Bank of India. There are services like making photocopies, scanning & access to important documents as Adhar/Ration/PAN Cards/Passport Size Photograph/Color Print Out, linkage to the Govt. Schemes like Old Age Pesion/Ujjwala Gas/Kisan Credit Card/Crop Insurance/Diesel Subsidy, Mobile Recharge, Money Transfer etc. available at CICs and they provide other Internet based facilities like searching website, youtube or e-mail also. The youths come here to know train time-table, journey reservation or to fill online application also. In evening time, villagers sit together at CIC premises and watch TV programs upon agriculture or any social issue.

These CICs were initiated in April 2018 but took few months to be fully functional and now became a hub for smooth communication as well as exchange of information timely. Earlier the village people from these panchayats used to go to Chakai or Deoghar about 10-15 km from their places but now they enjoy most of the new age technology at own village. The CICs are facilitating digital literacy in rural areas and people responded well.