Empowering Youth Through Digital Literacy: SAS Foundation and ETASHA Society’s Collaborative Impact
In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, access to technology and digital literacy are no longer luxuries—they are essential tools that define one’s ability to compete, contribute, and succeed. The Swavalamban Avam Swabhimaan Foundation (SAS Foundation) recognizes this reality and has made it a mission to empower under-resourced youth with the skills and tools needed to thrive in the 21st-century workforce.
In line with this mission, SAS Foundation recently collaborated with ETASHA Society, a non-profit organization focused on vocational training and placement, to support the digital infrastructure of their Mangolpuri Center in Delhi. This partnership is more than a donation—it’s a step forward in creating pathways for youth development, digital inclusion, and social mobility.
💻 Bridging the Digital Divide with 15 Laptops
SAS Foundation donated 15 refurbished laptops, generously provided by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), to the ETASHA Society’s Mangolpuri training center. These laptops will replace old, scrapped systems that were no longer operational, directly benefiting over 350 youth annually who are enrolled in ETASHA’s Vocational Training & Placement (VTP) Program.
This initiative ensures that students, many of whom come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, now have reliable access to digital tools for learning critical IT skills like:
Basic computer operations
Microsoft Office suite
Data entry
Internet browsing and digital communication
Job readiness and resume building
Online job application processes
For these young individuals, a functional laptop is more than a machine—it’s a gateway to opportunity.
🤝 A Partnership Built on Purpose
This collaboration builds on an earlier successful initiative. In 2023, SAS Foundation helped donate 7 desktop computers to another ETASHA Society training center. That donation sparked greater engagement between both organizations, leading to this year’s expanded contribution.
The recent handover ceremony at the Mangolpuri Center was attended by:
Dr. Nitin Saini, Secretary, SAS Foundation
Mini Bhargava, Collaborations & MIS Manager, ETASHA Society
Mukesh Aggarwal, Administration Manager, ETASHA Society
Dr. Nitin Saini shared:
“Empowering youth with IT skills is one of the strongest levers we have to transform lives. We are proud to support ETASHA Society in its noble mission and are committed to bridging the digital divide for underserved communities.”
Mini Bhargava added:
“This timely donation will help us maintain the quality of our training. Functional laptops are vital for effective learning, and SAS Foundation’s support truly makes a difference on the ground.”
🎓 Why Digital Literacy Matters
India is home to the world’s largest youth population, but millions of them still lack access to digital tools and skills. This digital gap widens the socio-economic divide, especially in urban slums and marginalized communities.
Without digital literacy, many youth are locked out of jobs in the modern workforce, particularly in:
Customer support and BPOs
Digital marketing and data entry
Front desk and office assistant roles
E-commerce and logistics support
IT-enabled services (ITES)
By empowering youth with digital readiness, organizations like SAS Foundation and ETASHA Society are preparing them for the “Future of Work” and creating pathways for dignified employment.
🌟 The Vocational Training & Placement (VTP) Model
ETASHA Society’s VTP program is designed to equip youth aged 18–30 with market-relevant skills through a mix of:
IT training
Soft skills development
English communication
Interview preparation
Life skills and workplace ethics
Placement support
Each year, hundreds of students graduate from this program and secure jobs in organized sectors, enabling them to break cycles of poverty and contribute meaningfully to the economy.
With upgraded digital infrastructure now available, the program is positioned to reach new levels of impact and scalability.
🌱 SAS Foundation’s Broader Vision
The SAS Foundation has always believed in empowering youth through sustainable, skill-based interventions. The laptop donation initiative aligns perfectly with the Foundation’s focus on:
Digital inclusion
Education for all
Youth employability
Community development
Over the past year, SAS Foundation has:
Conducted IT internships and Green Champion Programs
Led e-waste awareness campaigns in collaboration with schools and colleges
Promoted digital education access across low-income communities
Partnered with organizations like ETASHA, Attero, and Medovation to create social impact
The Foundation’s projects are guided by a vision to ensure every young person, regardless of background, can build a self-reliant and dignified future.
🔧 Turning Scraps into Support
An inspiring element of this initiative is its commitment to sustainability. The laptops donated by TCS were refurbished systems—once discarded, now repurposed to create value.
This action resonates with the principles of a circular economy, where reuse, repair, and repurposing are preferred over disposal.
It’s a dual-impact approach:
Reduce e-waste that would otherwise harm the environment
Increase access to technology for those who need it most
This model showcases how CSR efforts can simultaneously support education, environment, and empowerment.
📢 Join the Movement
If you are a corporate, donor, educator, or volunteer, here’s how you can contribute to this mission:
Donate your used laptops and computers through verified channels.
Partner with organizations like SAS Foundation to support skilling programs.
Sponsor training sessions or skill certifications for underprivileged youth.
Mentor or teach digital skills online or in-person.
Spread the word—share impact stories to inspire others to act.
Together, we can build a more inclusive, digital-ready India.
📝 Final Thoughts
As the world moves faster toward a tech-driven economy, ensuring equitable access to technology and skills becomes a moral and economic imperative. The collaboration between SAS Foundation and ETASHA Society is a powerful example of how small acts—like donating laptops—can have ripple effects across hundreds of lives.
This is not just about hardware. It’s about hope, opportunity, and self-reliance. It’s about ensuring that no young person is left behind in the digital revolution.
Let us all commit to a future where education, empowerment, and technology go hand in hand—for every youth, everywhere.
