“Education has always been close to my heart, and being able to contribute to my community through it gives me a deep sense of purpose,” shares SoochnaPreneur Nagendra Chaturvedi.
Nagendra Chaturvedi, from Umri in Madhya Pradesh, has been associated with the Digital Empowerment Foundation since 2014 and has worked extensively on grassroots initiatives related to livelihoods, watershed development, and financial inclusion in collaboration with NABARD and NRLM. Through years of community engagement, he realised that one of the biggest challenges faced by rural children was the lack of access to engaging and quality educational resources.
At the Samriddhi Kendra in Umri, Nagendra is now working towards addressing this gap by creating digital learning opportunities for children and youth in the community. His efforts are focused on ensuring that students in rural areas are not left behind as education becomes increasingly technology-driven.
Through the introduction of smart classrooms supported by Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies, students are experiencing a completely new and interactive way of learning. For many children, this is their first exposure to digital education tools. Concepts that were once difficult to understand through traditional classroom methods are now becoming easier and more relatable through visual and immersive learning experiences.
Students are able to virtually explore scientific concepts, understand geography through interactive visuals, and engage with educational content in a way that keeps them curious and involved. The use of AR and VR has helped make classrooms more participatory, especially for children who previously struggled to stay engaged during lessons. Teachers have also observed increased enthusiasm among students, with children showing greater interest in attending classes and participating in discussions.
The initiative is particularly impactful for students from underserved backgrounds who have limited exposure to technology outside school. By introducing digital tools within the community, Nagendra is helping bridge the gap between rural students and modern educational resources. These learning experiences are not only improving understanding in classrooms, but are also building students’ confidence and digital familiarity from an early age.
Apart from improving academic engagement, the smart classroom initiative is also helping students develop curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving skills, abilities that are becoming increasingly important in today’s digital world. Children are learning to interact with technology in meaningful ways, making them more prepared for future educational and professional opportunities.
Nagendra’s work at the Samriddhi Kendra reflects how access to technology-enabled education can transform learning experiences for rural students. By making education more accessible, inclusive, and engaging, he continues to create opportunities for children in Umri to learn, grow, and imagine a future with greater possibilities.