STL (NSE: STRTECH), a global data networks innovator has partnered with the Pune Municipal Corporation and Pune City Connect, a non-profit organisation for social transformation, to launch mobile digital classrooms which will empower over 1200 citizens with digital knowledge in the city.

In the age of upskilling and re-skilling, digital empowerment is still a distant dream with a large portion of India’s population still not digitally literate. It is important to work at the grass root level and empower citizens with basic and necessary training to bridge this gap. Addressing this need, STL together with Pune Municipal Corporation and Pune City Connect has undertaken this initiative.

The training will be provided from two digital empowerment buses. These buses are equipped with computers and Wi-Fi access. The training will start from 18th December and would train citizens over the next one year through a 40 hour curriculum. The curriculum will cover a wide range of topics including how to create a digital identity and enrol into government schemes and programs. Also, how to participate in social media conversations, source information from the internet, avail online services such as bill payments and shopping among others.

Mrs. Rubal Agarwal, Additional Commissioner, PMC, said, "Enabling the citizens of Pune with basic Digital Literacy and internet skills is a core part of the inclusive growth agenda for Pune. With the support of technology driven corporates like STL, we look forward to digitally empower those with less or no access to such facilities."

“The idea is to empower people through digital literacy which would help them getting connected to the world of vast opportunities. At STL, we aim to transform everyday living by delivering smarter networks. And in today’s rapidly changing times, it’s important for people across the society to be digitally literate. We are excited to partner with Pune City Connect and the Pune Municipal Corporation for this great initiative and help the local community.” says Akanskha Sharma, Head – CSR and Sustainability on the initiative.

Dr. Ganesh Natarajan, Chairman, Pune City Connect said, "Pune City Connect and STL together along with the Pune Municipal Corporation are happy to launch two Digital Empowerment buses which will train 600 learners per year per busin internetskills. Over 44,400 low-income citizens have already been trained through this public private partnership."

Since 2014, Pune City Connect and Pune Municipal Corporation have been able to successfully launch and run 13 digital literacy centres and 3 buses and train 44,480 people. Their target is to train 200,000 citizens across 500 slum communities in the city and STL through this partnership is happy to contribute toward achieving this. The joint initiative will play a critical role in transforming lives through technology and boost participation from corporates for supporting or launching similar initiatives for citizen empowerment.

About Sterlite Technologies Ltd - STL

STL is a global leader in end-to-end data network solutions. We design and deploy high-capacity converged fibre and wireless networks. With expertise ranging from optical fibre and cables, hyper-scale network design, and deployment and network software, we are the industry's leading integrated solutions provider for global data networks. We partner with global telecom companies, cloud companies, citizen networks and large enterprises to design, build and manage such cloud-native softwaredefined networks.

STL has innovation at its core. With intense focus on end-to-end network solutions development, we conduct fundamental research in next-generation network applications at our Centres of Excellence. STL has a strong global presence with next-gen optical preform, fibre and cable manufacturing facilities in India, Italy, China and Brazil, along with two software-development centres across India and one datacentre design facility in the UK.

About Pune Municipal Corporation

PMC is a civic body that governs Pune, the second largest city of Maharashtra, India. The city of Pune is spread over an area of 332 sq. Km and has a population of 4 million.

About Pune City Connect

Pune City Connect is a non-profit organisation that aims to achieve large-scale social transformation through collective action. It works in partnership with Government, corporates, NGOs and citizens.