Digital Skills ignite New Dreams
eVidyaloka|November 2025
eVidyaloka|November 2025
In today’s world, digital skills are essential for unlocking better educational and career opportunities. Yet, in many rural regions of India, students still lack exposure to basic digital tools. This gap limits not only their opportunities but also their aspirations.
eVidyaloka’s EmpowerED program seeks to bridge this divide by bringing comprehensive digital literacy education—combining theoretical knowledge and practical skills—to students, with a special focus on girls in government residential schools. The inspiring stories of students like Himshikha Saikia and Hasina Khatun show how the right guidance and infrastructure can transform lives and unlock potential overcoming barriers of access and opportunity.
Himshikha Saikia, a Grade 9 student at Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) in Assam, hails from a remote rural village where access to digital facilities is nearly non-existent. Before joining KGBV, she had never seen or used a computer. Moving into a residential school was a major step, but it soon opened doors she had never imagined—especially through the Computer Classes under the Digital Literacy program introduced by eVidyaloka.
Himshikha remembers her first computer class vividly: a mix of excitement and nervousness. With the guidance of the volunteer teacher, learning soon became simple, interactive, and enjoyable. Step by step, Himshikha learned how to turn on a computer, identify its components, and work with basic programs like Paint and WordPad. Creative activities such as drawing and typing exercises helped her grasp concepts quickly. Today, she confidently handles basic computer tasks and even assists her classmates who find them challenging.
Himshikha’s transformation extends beyond acquiring technical skills—these sessions have sparked a newfound confidence and a positive mindset within her. The supportive classroom environment has helped in building her confidence, curiosity, and a willingness to explore new ideas.
Hasina Khatun, also a Grade 9 student at Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) in Assam, has always been passionate about learning computer skills. Her journey began last year when she was introduced to digital tools that opened new avenues of creativity.
Exploring various Microsoft applications has made her learning experience more engaging and increased her confidence in using technology. Through Paint, she discovered her creative abilities by designing different illustrations. Word helped her develop typing skills and produce neat, well-structured documents, while Excel taught her how to organize data, use formulas, and create charts.
This year, Hasina’s curiosity has been further ignited as she learns PowerPoint and coding. PowerPoint has enabled her to express ideas creatively by designing slides with text, images, animations, and transitions, helping her build stronger communication and presentation skills. Coding has introduced her to logical thinking and problem-solving; creating simple programs and small projects has given her a sense of achievement and inspired her to explore programming further. Digital literacy has now become one of Hasina’s favorite subjects, and she credits her volunteer teachers—Shabana Ma’am, Nandhini Ma’am, and Deepak Sir for their continuous guidance in making learning interactive and fun. She dreams of expanding her knowledge in programming and design and hopes to use these skills to make a positive impact in the future.
For both Himshikha and Hasina, these classes have not only bridged the digital gap but also broadened their outlook on what’s possible. With newly gained skills, they feel inspired to pursue higher studies and explore new career opportunities. eVidyaloka’s EmpowerED program continues to enrich the learning journey of many children across rural India, demonstrating how access to technology can uplift students even in the most remote corners of the country.
Explore how quality education empowers children to break barriers and reach their full potential.
Discuss innovative teaching methods and approaches used by education NGOs to foster a love for learning.
Shed light on the dedicated educators, staff, and volunteers who drive the NGO's educational initiatives.
