The Resurging Value of Civil Society for Indian Crafts
Ziro valley is on the verge of transforming into a digitally equipped hub from an internet dark zone because of the continued efforts of the CIRC centre co-ordinator and her team.
The centre Co-ordinator of the CIRC centre in Ziro village shares her experience in understanding the problems of her community through constant engagement and the efforts of her team in getting connected to the digital world through Community Networks.
“This would like to narrate my journey from being a resident of the Ziro Valley to a source of bringing something concrete in the valley for my people. The opportunity given to me by Digital Empowerment Foundation, was a game changer for my professional life.
In April 2022, we started the baseline survey in the Ziro valley, Arunachal Pradesh. The survey investigated the need and expectations of the people regarding digital literacy, education, governance schemes and entitlements etc. During the survey while I interacted with my community members, I got a better understanding of the needs of the people and how digitally unconnected we still are.
Post the analysis of the survey, I along with DEF’s team members carved the strategy on how to set up the centre, which has access to the internet and acts as an information hub to the community members in the valley.
As a centre coordinator, I got a platform to share my views and ideas and also how to reach out to the unspoken and under-privileged people around this village.
We started the project, Community Network- Connecting the Indigenous Communities of Ziro Valley, by setting up the CIRC (Community Information Resource Centre) in Myodi Yasi building at Rake Lembo, Ziro which is the centre point from all other places. The location was selected as it has easy connectivity and was a centre point in the valley. A lot of effort was put into setting up a centre. My team gave our best for the people of the valley. Our centre has internet connectivity and other assets which make our work easier.
Currently, CIRC is providing WIFI to the four schools and one community health centre, in the valley. School staff and students are now connected with the internet, they access it for informational video, experimental science videos etc. At the same time, doctors and staff in the community health centre are using it to promote telemedicine in the valley.
Our centre has garnered a lot of attraction in the valley as it has various services to offer. We run digital literacy classes for the students and community members. We also provide governance facilities and easy access to entitlements.
It is a long journey to connect all the unconnected in the valley and I am grateful to be a part of this journey.
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