On the narrow lanes of Koyali village in Vadodara district, Gujarat, 31-year-old Rasmi Ariya runs a small beauty salon. Her husband works for a private company, and together they support their household. Rasmi had completed her education till the tenth grade, but like many in her community, she had never touched a computer. Her life revolved around her family and her salon, which earned her around ₹15,000 per month.
For someone like Rasmi, the world of technology seemed distant. She had no idea how computers could impact her work or her future. That was until the NIIT Foundation, arrived in her village.
The Digital Bus: A Classroom on Wheels
The Digital Bus is more than just a vehicle—it is a mobile classroom designed by NIIT Foundation to bridge the digital divide for communities living in remote and underserved areas. Solar-powered and fully equipped with 16–20 computers, video conferencing facilities, trainers, e-learning tools, and even printing solutions, the bus quite literally brings technology to the doorstep of villages.
The program combines digital literacy, IT education, entrepreneurship training, and awareness-building. For many like Rasmi, who cannot travel outside their community to learn, the Digital Bus is often the only chance to gain access to the digital world.
Rasmi’s First Steps into Digital Learning
When Rasmi enrolled in the NDLM (National Digital Literacy Mission) course on the Digital Bus, she was unsure of what to expect. She had never used a computer before. With the support of trainers, she slowly learned how to use Microsoft Office, the internet, and other basic digital tools.
As her skills grew, so did her confidence. By the end of the course, Rasmi realized that technology could be more than just theory—it could be a tool to expand her business and improve her livelihood.
“Now I have knowledge of computers,” she said proudly after completing the course. “This will assist me in teaching others and will be extremely beneficial in managing and expanding my business. Client data management, social media promotion for my salon, and inventory creation are now all possibilities. I will also be able to track my monthly profit and loss, which will assist me in growing my business.”
A Ripple Effect
Rasmi’s journey is proof of the transformative power of access. From being digitally unaware to confidently managing her salon through technology, she has become an example for other women in her community. Today, she can:
- Maintain client records digitally
- Use social media to promote her salon
- Manage inventory and expenses
- Track profit and loss regularly
Beyond her own growth, Rasmi is now motivated to share her learning with others—amplifying the impact of NIIT Foundation’s Digital Bus program within her village.
Bridging the Divide, Building Futures
The Digital Bus was designed by NIIT Foundation to reduce the digital divide that separates rural India from its urban counterpart. Its key objectives—raising awareness, linking citizens with government programs, encouraging collaborative learning, and promoting gender inclusivity—are visible in stories like Rasmi’s.
By bringing technology into the heart of rural life, the Digital Bus does more than teach computer skills. It provides confidence, opportunity, and a pathway to self-reliance.
For Rasmi, what began as curiosity on a bus parked in her village is now the foundation for expanding her small business and securing a better future for her family. And for countless others like her, NIIT Foundation’s Digital Bus continues to be a vehicle of empowerment, literally and figuratively.
