How digital literacy is bridging the gap between generations in India
Added: (Thu Sep 26 2019)
Pressbox (Press Release) -
In today's IT dominated world, Digital Literacy has been playing a crucial role in our day-to-day's life. With computerization or digitalization of almost all basic services and facilities, Digital Literacy has become need of the hour. If one has to pay his/her any utility bills like electricity / water / phone / Gas one can easily pay the bills online, while sitting at home. If you have to check status of train/bus tickets, you need not to go out of your home; you can check it online and book your tickets. If you have to pay any amount to anyone, you can pay with your Smartphone within seconds. There are so many uses and benefits of digital literacy but digitally illiterate persons, particularly older persons (55+) find it very tricky to handle / operate their smart phones. In our country, most older persons are not computer literate, as they have never learnt computer skills. Computers are still strange thing for most of them and they try to escape from computer technology.
While most older persons are keen to learn basics of smartphone, computers, laptops and other modern gadgets, but they hardly get support from their younger family members, relatives or society due to hectic lifestyle of younger generations or other factors.
It has been observed that digital literacy has become a boon for older persons, particularly for those, who live alone / live away from their children/grandchildren / live with mobility constraints / want to live independently in old age. It not only makes their life smooth, comfortable and easier but also keeps them in the mainstream of society. It has also been observed that there is a keen desire among older persons to keep them connected with the new world order, ruled by internet and information technology.
Latest survey about Digital Illiteracy in Old Age, conducted by Agewell Foundation reveals that -
85% older persons (60+) are digitally and computer illiterate. They comprise 76% elderly men & 95% elderly women.
70% digitally illiterate older persons (85% elderly men and 58% elderly women) expressed their desire to get digital literacy training.
In view of the prevalent digital illiteracy among older persons (55+), Agewell Foundation, an NGO working for the welfare and empowerment of older persons across the country for last over 20 years has come up with a Digital Literacy Program for Older Persons (55+). It has been conducting the program in Delhi and NCR for last four years and over 35000 senior citizens have already been given free digital training by Agewell volunteers at Computer Training Centres set up across the city.
Under the program trained volunteers provide training on Desktops, Laptops, Tabs and Smart phones to interested older people, who are very much excited about learning new lessons in their life for the first time. Older people express their keen interest in learning computer and mobile applications and internet.
Speaking about the project Mr. Himanshu Rath, Chairman, Agewell Foundation says, Over the years, Agewell Foundation has initiated several projects for bridging the gap between generations. But this initiative is innovative, as the program is devised to teach people new age skills in their old age, so that they can keep themselves updated as well as active and get gainful engagement opportunities after retirement.
Mr. DK Sharma (65 Years) of Sukhdev Vihar, New Delhi said about the program, "I wanted to learn computer and mobile applications but I found commercial computer classes very costly. When I leant about Agewell Foundation's unique program to teach computer skills to retired old people, I approached to them and get basic training and knowledge of computers and mobile. I found this training very useful and interesting. Indeed, it has transformed my life, as I found myself well-connected and informed."
Program has been receiving overwhelming response from Senior Citizens Associations / Senior Citizen Forums / Pensioners Associations, Residents Welfare Associations, Clubs and other senior citizens groups across Delhi/NCR. Senior citizens and retired people of Delhi-NCR are queuing up for learning computer and mobile apps, being taught by Agewell Volunteers.
"Agewell volunteers teach basics of mobile and computer apps to elderly members very patiently and politely. They take care of every single issue of older persons like their learning and functional capabilities in order to make them digitally literate." Mr. Subhash Sharma, President, Moti Nagar Senior Citizens Cultural Association,