MUMBAI: In a marquee philanthropic move, Tata Trusts has teamed up with Google India to take internet closer to women of rural India with its ‘Internet Saathi’ initiative. The move comes at a time when India is celebrating ‘Digital India Week’.

The initiative has been built on the philosophy that it is important to digitise the entire country and not just a particular geography or gender.

Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata at the time of launch of the initiative said, “It’s a privilege for us (Tata Trusts) to join hands with Google, a company I vastly admire because of the way it has digitised billions of people with its broad connectivity.”

Tata further added, “It took 7 to 10 years for India to popularise telephone, but today, right from a pan wala to a rickshaw driver, there are millions using the mobile phone. They can buy a prepaid sim and use the device and that has helped in enhancing their self respect and has brought education and knowledge closer to them. Such is the power of internet. I am delighted that our Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) has given preference and priority to digitise India.”   

India is a booming market when it comes to mobile phones and wireless internet. “It’s absolutely unbelievable. No one thought India would have so many mobile phone users who are now gradually transforming into smartphone consumers. It’s very essential for women in rural India to earn their livelihood and be self dependent. I hope this initiative takes internet closer to them and takes commerce closer to them. I wish luck to Google, Intel and my colleagues at Tata Trusts,” he concluded.