Empowering Women Through Digital Education: eSaheli’s Saksham Card Camp at Kelshi, Maharashtra

Date: 29th May 2025 Location: Gram Panchayat Office, Kelshi, Maharashtra

Bridging the Digital Divide in Rural India

In a country where millions of women still lack access to digital tools and skill-building resources, eSaheli Mahila Vikas Foundation is leading the way with grassroots empowerment through technology. On 29th May 2025, the Foundation hosted a Saksham Card Distribution Camp at Kelshi village, Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra—marking a significant step in its mission to enable financial independence through digital education.

With support from Shri Swami Samartha Mandir and the local Gram Panchayat, 50 women received Saksham Cards—your gateway to a brighter, self-sustained future.

What is Saksham Card?

The Saksham Card provides free access to eSaheli’s digital learning platform. It includes:

• Skill-based courses in regional languages (like Marathi)

• Certification upon completion

• Tutorials, notes, and a helpline

• Lifetime access to the learning portal

This digital key unlocks career pathways for women, many of whom have never used a smartphone for learning before.

Pre-Camp Awareness: Reaching Every Corner

• Displaying posters and flex banners in strategic village locations

• Conducting door-to-door awareness drives

• Sending SMS reminders a day before the event

  
  

The result? All 50 seats were booked within three days, with 60–70% participants arriving early on the day of the camp. The excitement was palpable—proof that rural communities are ready for change when given the opportunity.

The Day of the Camp: Empowerment in Action

The event began with opening remarks from the Gram Panchayat leaders, who showed their unwavering support for the initiative. This was followed by:

• An introduction to EMVF and its vision

• Aadhaar and mobile verification of attendees

• Distribution of Saksham Cards

• A hands-on digital orientation session

  
  

Participants were guided on how to use their smartphones to access video lessons, download course materials, ask questions, and collect their certificates. Most importantly, they were made to feel seen, respected, and capable.

Courses Chosen: A Glimpse into Aspirations

Here's how the 50 women distributed their enrollments across various income-generating courses:

• Mehendi Design – 18 enrollments (36.73%)

• Makeup & Beauty Basics – 9 enrollments (18.37%)

• Parlour Management – 7 enrollments (14.29%)

• Hairstyling – 4 enrollments (8.16%)

• Artificial Jewellery Making – 4 enrollments (8.16%)

• Makar Sankranti Decoration – 3 enrollments (6.12%)

• Nail Art – 2 enrollments (4.08%)

• Real Flower Jewellery & Saree Draping – 1 each (2.04%)

This snapshot reflects the economic intent behind their choices—most women opted for skills that would help them launch home-based or micro-businesses.

Impact Highlights :

• 50 Saksham Cards distributed

• Over 85% first-time digital learners

• All enrollments were income-oriented

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• Beneficiaries expressed deep gratitude and hope

One participant shared:

"I never thought I’d be learning through a phone. The team helped me step-by-step, and now I’ve taken a course in Makar Sankranti decoration. I feel ready to start something of my own."

— S.G., Kelshi

Such stories are not just inspiring—they're transformative. They reflect a silent revolution unfolding in the heart of rural India.

Post-Camp Support: We Don’t Stop at Distribution

Unlike many short-term interventions, eSaheli ensures continuous support through:

• A dedicated WhatsApp group for peer learning and quick help

• A helpline for technical and course-related assistance

• Regular follow-up calls to track progress

• A convocation ceremony scheduled for July 2025 to celebrate achievements

  
  

This community-driven approach boosts confidence, course completion, and real-world application of skills.

Why This Matters: The Bigger Picture

India’s rural women are often excluded from the digital economy, not due to lack of potential, but due to lack of access. By empowering them with free digital skills training in their own language, we are:

• Enabling financial independence

• Strengthening local economies

• Creating self-sustaining communities

  
  

Programs like this camp are scalable, replicable, and have high return on impact. But to reach the next 500 women, we need your support.

You Can Make a Difference

Every ₹1100 funds one Saksham Card—giving a woman access to digital education, tools to start her own venture, and a path to dignity and self-reliance.

🎯 Goal: 50 more card holders

💰 Total Needed: ₹55,000

DONATE NOW

Donate Now and Sponsor a Saksham Card

Your contribution ensures that no woman is left behind due to a lack of opportunity.

Gratitude and Acknowledgements

This impactful event was made possible by:

• Shri Swami Samartha Mandir – for sponsoring all 50 cards in Kelshi

• Kelshi Gram Panchayat – for venue support and community mobilization

• EMVF team and volunteers – for seamless planning and execution

  
  

Together, they showed that when communities, donors, and organizations come together, meaningful change is not only possible—it’s inevitable.

Let’s Build the Next Generation of Rural Women Entrepreneurs

The Kelshi camp was just one chapter in the growing movement led by eSaheli. With your support, we can light up many more lives in remote corners of India.

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