Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 30: Director School Education Jammu, Ashok Kumar Sharma today distributed 100 free laptops, 25 laptops each to Reasi, Kathua, Jammu and Kishtwar districts for the Government school girls of Jammu division at a function organised in the Government Girls Higher Secondary School Mubarak Mandi.
The event was marked as an important step towards promoting digital literacy and IT awareness among girls in line with the vision of the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.
The laptops were distributed by the Director, the chief guest on the occasion, along with the guests of honour. K K Parashar, representative of Paytm Foundation and General Secretary, MAHAMANA MALAVIYA MISSION, JAIPUR (RAJ.) and Dharmendra Jhamb, Vice President, Paytm Foundation, New Delhi, S S Rathore, Chief Education Officer, Jammu and the Principal of the school, Poonam Sharma.
Speaking on the occasion, Director said that the aim of the program was to bridge the digital divide and empower the girl students by providing them access to digital platforms, digital education, and IT awareness.
Addressing the teaching fraternity, he said that the Directorate keeps reinventing itself to keep up with the changing times in order to provide the students with the latest teaching aids and tools.
“We believe that digital literacy is the key to unlock the potential of individuals, businesses, and nations. We are committed to bridging the digital divide by providing access to digital platforms and education to everyone, regardless of their gender or geographical location”, he added.
The event was marked as a significant milestone in promoting digital literacy in Jammu and Kashmir, especially among girls, who often miss out on the opportunity to access digital platforms and IT education due to various social and cultural barriers.
The enthusiasm of the students towards the program encouraged the organizers to plan similar events in the future.
K K Parashar informed the audience that the laptops were donated by Paytm with the help of Mahamana Malaviya Mission, Jaipur and in the next stage more areas will be covered which is expected to benefit hundreds of girls students in the region making it a significant step towards creating a digital ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir, with special emphasis on empowering girls through digital literacy. The success of the program serves as a testimony to the commitment of the Directorate towards promoting digital literacy and IT awareness, and the vision of creating a digitally inclusive society.
The laptops distributed under the Paytm Foundation’s Digital Literacy Program, come pre-installed with educational and IT skills development modules and are equipped with the latest hardware and software. The program aims to equip the girl students with the necessary skills and tools to explore the vast opportunities offered by the digital world.