MAIT, Microsoft Launch 'Digital Inclusion' Programme

MAIT, the apex body representing India’s IT hardware, training and R&D services sectors, has launched a corporate social responsibility campaign titled ‘Digital Inclusion - IT Adoption for Growth and Employability’ by tying up with its member companies to facilitate access to computers and software for the digitally deprived with an aim to enable them to develop skills in IT and become employable.

MAIT has partnered with Microsoft to donate computers and software to NGOs, who are engaged in taking IT education to the rural/ poor masses. MAIT intends to encourage all its members to generously contribute hardware to the cause of bridging the digital divide in India.

Vinnie Mehta, executive director, MAIT said, “While IT has become an integral part of our life, its penetration remains confined to the urban areas alone, even the poor in such areas are yet to take advantage of the digital revolution. One of the reasons cited for digital divide is the non-availability of IT hardware at desired price-points. We hope that through this initiative we will be able to make available the hardware at no or marginal cost to the deserving. We have been in dialogue with our members and their response towards this initiative has been very encouraging. Further, extending the life of hardware through such means will go a long way in minimising the environmental concerns due to e-waste.”

David Finn, Microsoft’s associate general counsel, Redmond, USA, said, “Digital inclusion has been identified as one of the millennium development goals by the UN and it is Microsoft’s firm commitment to work towards empowering people in India by bridging the digital divide. Microsoft in India had donated over 1,000 computers since the last one year and it will continue to strive to provide IT training, skills and tools to create social and economic opportunities in India that can transform communities and help people realise their potential. Being a player in the software space, we are also sensitive to the fact that while serving the deprived through such laudable programmes, security and ethics should not be sacrificed and therefore, Microsoft ensures that all the donated computers run on genuine software.”