Tag: DigitalIndia

TechPulse

Kerala Launches K-FON: India’s First State-Owned Affordable Internet Network

Tanisha Cardozo

In a game-changing move toward digital inclusivity, the Kerala government has launched K-FON (Kerala Fibre Optic Network)—India’s first state-owned broadband service. The ₹1,500 crore project aims to offer affordable, high-speed internet access to every citizen, especially in remote and underserved areas.

🚀 A Vision for a Digitally Empowered Kerala

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, while launching the service, emphasized that universal internet access is fundamental to Kerala’s vision of a knowledge-driven society. “No one will be left behind,” he declared, even citing Idamalakudy, a tribal settlement deep in Kerala’s forests, as part of the K-FON network.

The CM noted that K-FON is not just about technology—it’s about equity, access, and empowerment.

🧩 How K-FON Works: The Infrastructure

The project involves the deployment of a 35,000 km optical fibre network across Kerala, funded by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB).

K-FON is being rolled out in two phases:

  • Phase 1: Connecting 30,000+ government institutions
  • Phase 2: Providing free internet to economically disadvantaged families and subsidised broadband to others

💡 Affordable Plans for Everyone

K-FON offers tiered plans to ensure accessibility:

  • ₹299/month (excluding GST)
    • Speed: 20 Mbps
    • 3,000 GB data cap
  • ₹1,249/month (excluding GST)
    • Speed: 250 Mbps
    • 5,000 GB data cap

The goal? To match private-sector quality without the exploitative pricing.

👥 Who Benefits?

  • 20 lakh+ people to receive free internet access
  • Over 14,000 households will be connected in the initial phase

All service providers will have non-discriminatory access to the network

🌐 Why It Matters

K-FON is Kerala’s alternative model to the corporate-run telecom sector—offering the same quality at much lower prices. It aligns with the larger objective of bridging the digital divide, especially for:

  • Students and job seekers in rural areas
  • Families who cannot afford private internet plans

Small businesses and entrepreneurs needing reliable broadband

🗨️ A New Standard in Public Internet Infrastructure

“K-FON is our way of freeing people from digital exploitation and giving them the infrastructure to thrive in a knowledge economy,” said CM Vijayan.

📈 Looking Ahead

K-FON is more than a broadband service—it’s a social innovation. By laying down public digital infrastructure, Kerala is setting a national precedent for affordable, accessible, and equitable internet.

Whether you’re in a forest village or a bustling city, K-FON promises to connect you to the future.

TechPulse

Goa Launches Mahila Digital Sashaktikaran Yojana to Empower Rural Women with Digital Skills

Tanisha Cardozo

Porvorim, August 7, 2025: With an eye on inclusion and innovation, the Government of Goa has launched the Mahila Digital Sashaktikaran Yojana, a transformative scheme that aims to digitally empower women, particularly in rural and underserved areas of the state.

The scheme was officially launched at the PAC Hall, Secretariat, by Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, along with Minister for ITE&C Rohan A. Khaunte, and dignitaries from Info Tech Corporation of Goa Ltd. (ITG) and the Directorate of IT.

“We are taking digital literacy to the Gramin women ensuring they are equipped with the confidence and skills to navigate today’s digital world,” said Dr. Sawant.

🎯 Why This Scheme Matters

As digital technologies increasingly shape economies and services, the gap between those with access and those without is growing. Women in rural areas often find themselves on the wrong side of this divide. This scheme directly addresses that gap by providing:

  • Essential digital literacy: Using smartphones, browsing the internet, accessing government schemes and financial tools.
  • Localized training: Conducted in familiar, accessible public venues such as panchayat halls, schools, or religious buildings.

Empowerment through knowledge: Digital fluency is linked to better financial independence, access to opportunities, and self-confidence.

🧑‍💻 Who Can Apply?

  • Women aged 18 and above
  • Must be a resident of Goa for 15+ years

Open to all educational and socioeconomic backgrounds

🏫 Where & How Will Training Be Conducted?

Training will be facilitated through:

  • Empanelled IT Knowledge Centres (ITKCs)
  • Common Service Centres (CSCs)
  • Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs)

Classes will be hosted in accessible locations such as schools, panchayat halls, or community spaces.

💸 Scheme Benefits & Financial Provisions

  • ₹500 per participant allocated to cover training program
    • 80% to training partner (CSC/ITKC)
    • 20% to ITG
  • ₹100 additional per person to CSCs/VLEs for sessions in public spaces (infrastructure support)

Three-year validity, with potential for renewal

💬 Government’s Vision

Rohan Khaunte, Minister for ITE&C, stated:

“This initiative supports Viksit Bharat 2047 and our goal of women-led development. By empowering women with digital skills, we open pathways to income generation, confidence, and active participation in the digital economy.”

🌐 Looking Ahead

The launch of the Mahila Digital Sashaktikaran Yojana is part of Goa’s broader vision to become a digitally inclusive and economically equitable state. With strong government support and a clear implementation plan, this initiative is poised to transform the lives of thousands of women—one screen, one skill, and one empowered choice at a time.

Human Interest

India Post to Retire Registered Post Service from September 1, 2025

allycaralgoa

📍 New Delhi | August 2025 : In a significant move toward modernization, India Post has announced that it will officially discontinue the Registered Post system starting September 1, 2025. The decision marks the end of a long-standing chapter in India’s postal history.

The Registered Post service has been a staple for individuals and institutions seeking secure, trackable, and official communication for over a century. Recognizable by the iconic red letter boxes, the service was often used for sending important legal, academic, or government-related documents.

However, the need for quicker, tech-enabled communication solutions has rendered the traditional system obsolete.

“We honor the legacy of Registered Post in India, but the time has come to adopt faster and more efficient alternatives,” said a senior official from India Post. “Our focus now is on enhancing digital services, speed post efficiency, and secure electronic delivery.”

This move comes as part of a broader push under the Digital India mission to revamp government services for a new generation of users. India Post has already been strengthening its ePost, Speed Post, and electronic tracking systems to meet growing demand.

Though sentimental for many, the phasing out of Registered Post is expected to increase efficiency, reduce operational costs, and align postal services with contemporary needs.

📍 Red letter boxes are expected to be removed or repurposed by the end of 2025.

Social

Goa Launches Statewide Campaign to Promote Financial Inclusion at Panchayat Level

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo

Panaji, July 2025 – In a significant push toward grassroots financial empowerment, the Department of Financial Services, Government of India, has launched a three-month state-level campaign in Goa to promote financial inclusion. Running from July 1 to September 30, 2025, the campaign targets all 192 gram panchayats and focuses on enrolling citizens in essential central government schemes.

The campaign was inaugurated at the Anjuna Caissua Village Panchayat in Bardez taluka by Sarpanch Laxmidas Chimulkar, in the presence of officials from Bank of Baroda, including Chief Manager Din Dayal Dube and Branch Head Shivnandan Kumar. Over 50 villagers attended the event, many of whom enrolled in social security schemes on the spot.

The initiative highlights and ensures saturation-level coverage of:

  • Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)
  • Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY)
  • Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY)
  • Atal Pension Yojana (APY)

In addition to enrolments, the campaign provides an opportunity for KYC re-verification of inactive Jan Dhan accounts, helping reactivate dormant beneficiaries.

Each panchayat has been strategically mapped to its nearest bank branch to ensure efficient implementation. Awareness sessions will also be conducted on:

  • Financial literacy
  • Digital fraud prevention
  • Unclaimed deposits
  • Grievance redressal mechanisms

District Coordinator Vinod Salunkhe, in collaboration with the State Level Bankers Committee, is overseeing the smooth rollout of the program.

The campaign underscores the government’s inclusive growth agenda, aiming to empower rural citizens by integrating them into the formal financial system. By strengthening access to banking and social security, the initiative aspires to create a more secure and economically independent society.