Lucknow, March 9: The Uttar Pradesh government is making significant strides in enhancing digital connectivity and creating job opportunities. As part of this initiative, an MoU has been signed between the State Transformation Commission and the Hinduja Group’s subsidiary, OneOTT Entertainment Limited, to expand high-speed broadband connectivity under ‘Project Ganga.’
The project aims to provide high-speed internet access to over 2 million households in the next 2-3 years. Additionally, it plans to train 8,000 to 10,000 local youths as digital service providers at the justice panchayat level, with a focus on ensuring nearly 50% participation from women. This initiative will not only expand digital services in rural areas but also create new local employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
The project is expected to generate over 100,000 direct and indirect job opportunities. Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna stated that today’s MoU is a crucial step towards strengthening digital infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh and creating large-scale employment opportunities. India was once perceived as a developing country due to its lag in technology, but the changes seen in the last decade, especially in Uttar Pradesh, have altered this perception globally.
The pressing need today is to create more job opportunities, and when these jobs are linked to technology, they become more effective and sustainable. Under Project Ganga (Government Assisted Network for Growth and Advancement), the goal is to reach approximately 20 lakh homes with high-speed broadband, benefiting around 10 million people. Furthermore, 8,000 to 10,000 youths will be trained as digital service providers, with special emphasis on women’s participation.
The Finance Minister highlighted that high-speed internet access in rural areas will open new avenues for digital services, online businesses, education, and healthcare. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the government is continuously working to ensure broadband facilities reach every village, enabling youth to secure technology-based jobs. The government is also providing financial support to connect youth with digital entrepreneurship.
Launched in January 2024, the scheme offers interest-free and collateral-free loans of up to 500,000 rupees to youths, with over 100,000 beneficiaries so far. He urged that the Hindi language should be prominently featured on digital platforms to connect more people in the state. The Finance Minister expressed confidence that Project Ganga will become a significant foundation for digital empowerment and job creation in Uttar Pradesh over the next two to three years.
Manoj Kumar Singh, CEO of the State Transformation Commission, noted that the importance of digital infrastructure and digital highways has surpassed that of physical expressways in many respects, as they define the new direction of development. This MoU is a vital step towards reducing the digital divide and potential AI divide, facilitating broadband connectivity, OTT services, and high-speed internet to villages.
This will create new opportunities for rural youth to earn income through digital services, YouTube, and other online platforms, while also rapidly developing fields like telemedicine, online education, e-commerce, and digital skills. He mentioned that the Uttar Pradesh government has been working towards this goal for several years, and now, with the collaboration of the Hinduja Group, this initiative is becoming a reality. Particularly in border areas like Shravasti, Bahraich, and Balrampur, the arrival of broadband internet will open new economic opportunities and accelerate rural development.
Vinsley Fernandez, Director of Hinduja Global Solutions Ltd., stated that just as the Ganges River symbolizes faith, it also serves as a foundation for the lives and livelihoods of millions, connecting agriculture, industry, and drinking water. This initiative has been aptly named ‘Project Ganga’ with a focus on youth and women’s empowerment, aiming to create around 100,000 job opportunities in the state.
Satyaprakash Singh, Chief Business Officer of OneOTT Entertainment Limited, emphasized that the goal of ‘Project Ganga’ is to extend digital connectivity to underserved and unserved areas, facilitating the expansion of digital services and creating new job opportunities in rural areas. The availability of high-speed internet will open new possibilities in telemedicine, online education, digital skills, e-commerce, and digital content.
Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
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