Google, Tata Trusts launch ‘Internet Sathi’ in West Bengal to empower rural women

The Indian unit of search giant Google Inc and Tata Trusts have jointly launched ‘Internet Saathi’ program in Purulia district of West Bengal. 

The initiative has been launched as part of Google’s ‘Helping Women Get Online’ campaign, in order to create awareness about the benefits of Internet among women in rural India. 

Key facts

•  The initiative will initially be rolled out with an objective to reach 1 lakh women in over 400 villages in Purulia district. 
• It will focus on training women and larger communities to learn and explore various uses and benefits of the Internet. 
• Tata Trusts will play a crucial role in training women master trainers called “saathis” identified from Self Help Groups (SHGs) and Women’s federations.
•  Google will provide the tablet and mobile devices along with training material. It will also train the master trainers. The initiative includes an awareness module, coupled with hands-on training modules on how to use the Internet, using mobile devices in their local languages.

 ‘Internet Saathi’ program was launched in July 2015. So it has trained and benefitted over 2 lakh women across villages in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Google under its Helping Women Get Online has already trained over 2 million women across the country.

India, US sign MoU for hassle-free entry of Indians into US

India and United States (US) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to facilitate hassle-free entry of Indians into America at selected airports. 

The hassle-free entry will provide speedy security clearances for pre-approved, low-risk travellers from the country. The MoU was signed as part of US’s International Expedited Traveller Initiative (also known as the Global Entry Programme). India is only the ninth country with which the US has entered into this initiative reflecting growing relationship between the two largest democracies of the world. 

The expedited entry for the Indian travellers under this programme at the US airports will enable further easing of travel environment. It will also have positive impact on all kinds of people-to-people exchange between our two countries. 

The US is home to more than 3 million Indian-origin people who continue to maintain deep-rooted links with India. Global Entry Programme: It is available at more than 40 US airports and 12 pre-clearance locations. Approximately 50,000 new applications for the programme are filed every month and more than 1.8 million people are enrolled in Global Entry.

India ranked 2nd on GRD index on ease of doing business

India has been ranked second position as per 2016 Global Retail Development Index (GRDI) released by London-based business consultancy A T Kearney. 

India has jumped 13 positions from last year (2015) to rank second among 30 developing countries on ease of doing business. 

Key Highlights of 2016 GRDI 

• The sharp pick up in GDP growth and better clarity regarding FDI regulations have helped India achieve a second ranking. 
• India’s retail sector has expanded at a compound annual growth rate of 8.8% between 2013 and 2015, with annual sales crossing the US 1 trillion dollars mark. 
• India has also become the world’s fastest growing economy and more attractive market due to its large population base and easing of FDI regulations in retail sector. 
• India’s retail sector has also benefited from the rapid growth in e-commerce. Being world’s second largest internet market and increasing smartphone and internet penetration has contributed to the expansion of e-commerce. 

About Global Retail Development Index (GRDI) 

• The GRDI is annually published by London-based business consultancy A T Kearney. 
• It analyses 25 retail-specific and macroeconomic variables to help retailers devise successful global strategies to identify emerging market investment opportunities. 
• The study is unique as it identifies the markets that are most attractive in present and also their future potential.