Bengaluru, 17th 2024: eVidyaloka, a leader in transforming rural education, hosted a virtual employee volunteering initiative with KPMG in India, a leading professional services firm, to pioneer an initiative of promoting cyber awareness among students in rural government schools. This partnership aims to bridge the digital literacy gap by equipping students with essential skills to navigate the online world safely and responsibly.
The month-long initiative focused on students in grades 7, 8 and 9, delivering cyber awareness sessions in 309 schools across 12 states, including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Assam. Conducted via eVidyaloka’s digital classroom platform, 131 KPMG in India employees conducted these interactive virtual sessions as an employee volunteering initiative benefitting more than 8000 children. They engaged the students on critical topics such as identifying cybercrimes, understanding online risks, and adopting protective measures. These lessons are particularly timely as the reach of the internet is spreading deeper into India’s villages leaving many young learners without adequate knowledge, vulnerable to cyber threats.
Designed to simplify complex concepts, the KPMG in India volunteers taught practical safety measures like avoiding harmful links, recognizing scams, and safeguarding personal information. By actively engaging students and field teams, the initiative fostered technical knowledge and confidence, empowering students to see the internet as a gateway to opportunities, not risks. For many, this initiative was transformative—it marked their first structured introduction to responsible online practices.
Ira Gupta Tuteja, Corporate Citizenship, KPMG in India stated, “Empowering the next generation with the tools to navigate the digital world safely is crucial for building a resilient and informed society. Our partnership with eVidyaloka helps rural students to experience the benefits of the digital age. By equipping them with the knowledge and confidence to make informed online decisions, we’re helping unlock new opportunities for their future.”
Brinda, CEO of eVidyaloka added, “We believe that true digital empowerment demands both awareness and education. This partnership with KPMG in India has not only equipped young minds with critical skills to navigate the online world safely but has also demonstrated the profound impact of collective effort.”
This partnership highlights the transformative power of collaboration between corporate and social organizations. By leveraging KPMG in India’s expertise and eVidyaloka’s reach, the initiative is fostering a digitally confident generation capable of using the internet as a tool for growth and opportunity.