Norti Bai

Norti Bai

Though she dropped out of school when she was 10 years old, Norti Bai’s decided 45 years later to embrace the digital world by learning to use computers and not allow her limited education be an obstacle in her way to progress. After initially grappling with the basics, Norti soon became proficient with a PC and realized the benefits that the World Wide Web could offer to her own community. As a first step, Norti Bai got involved with a local Panchayat project to provide the government with details on various water sources in the neighbouring villages. This involved creating water maps with details of ponds, wells and tube wells, an extremely useful exercise for the local community. At the same time, Norti started teaching computers at her college to the local women. Word spread fast and demand for her classes grew. Even though most girls in this area dropout of school by the 5th or 6th grades, many young girls started seeking Norti’s help to learn basic computer literacy. Norti Bai has received an overwhelming support from the women in her village. As a result, she successfully won the Panchayat elections to become the first Dalit woman Sarpanch of Harmara village in Rajasthan. Today, Norti Bai is a source of inspiration for womenfolk in her state.
Norti Bai is one of the few women across the country to be awarded the CII-Bharti Woman Exemplar Award in 2007 for her significant contribution to the development process in her community. She has also been invited as a speaker to various events including the Conference on Media, IT and Grassroot Development in Bangalore.
Quote:Though she dropped out of school when she was 10 years old, Norti Bai’s decision 45 years later to embrace the digital world by learning to use computers is amazing! Today, as the first Dalit woman Sarpanch of Harmara village in Rajasthan, she is using this skill to empower more women and help in the overall growth of her community. A proud recipient of the CII-Bharti Woman Exemplar Award for significant contribution to the development of her village, Nori Bai is truly inspirational.