In collaboration with Google India, Tata Trusts launched the Internet Sathi programme to promote awareness of the internet and its uses in the rural geographies where the Trusts operate. The objective is to empower rural women, and through them, create awareness among the larger community on internet and its benefits for their various needs. The ‘sathis’ would promote awareness of the internet and highlight its utility for seeking information across disparate sectors. The plan is to have 1,000 internet carts in rural villages, covering approximately 3,000 villages and 1 million people of which most will be women. The programme dovetails with the community institutions promoted by Tata Trusts and strengthens them through linkages with larger communities and providing internet as a service.

Under the program, Google trains and educates women on how to use devices like smartphones and tablets thereby making them understand what the Internet is, how to use it and all about its potential. These women then go to their villages and educate other women. They get access to information around healthcare, better farming techniques, cooking, entertainment, and more. As of today about 60,000 villages in India now come under the Internet Saathi program and it aims to reach 3 lakh in couple of more years.