Uninor has launched ‘Soochna Shakti’, a Value Added Service to empower rural women. It will deliver information, expert advice and news alerts on health, education, self employment and finance on an IVR portal which can be accessed by dialling a short code from anywhere at any time. This service will also including English learning.
The service was launched by President Pratibha Patil at an event organised at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.
This service is a part of the launch of DoT-USOF’s (Department of Telecom and Universal service obligation fund) initiative ‘Sanchar Shakti’, a pilot project scheme for mobile VAS and ICT Related Livelihood Skills for Women’s Self Help Groups.
The service can be accessed through any handset. Customers can simply dial into a voice portal which will be in their local languages.
‘Soochna Shakti’ is being launched as a pilot project on a group of selected women oriented Self Help Groups (SHGs) under the Uninor Hand in Hand Citizen Centre initiative.
Uninor Hand in Hand Citizen Centres are a set of over 500 facilities across Tamil Nadu designed to allow female entrepreneurs to deliver information communication technology training and support to other women in their communities.
“Even today in remote areas of India people especially women may not be fully aware of various government schemes and initiatives being run for their welfare. This is a major area of concern and what better way than using mobile connectivity to help deal with this developmental challenge. The launch of ‘Soochna Shakti’ is a program in this direction”, said Rajiv Bawa, executive vice-president, corporate affairs, Uninor
The content for this service is developed in association with various Government bodies, NGOs, universities and private organizations.