Rural Women in Uttar Pradesh Empowered through Tech Shakti Sri Program

In the eastern region of India's Uttar Pradesh state, specifically in Purvanchal, a program called Tech Shakti Sri has been implemented to unlock digital potential and provide economic mobility for rural women. The initiative is led by Jagriti and supported by Cisco.

The program starts with awareness camps where 1,110 women are mobilized, followed by structured training in digital and entrepreneurial skills. From this group, 42 women with the most entrepreneurial potential and motivation are selected for an intensive incubation phase, which includes one-on-one mentorship, access to digital equipment, and connections to suppliers and government e-service networks.

The outcomes of Tech Shakti Sri have been impressive, with women like Kashish Verma from Gorakhpur earning close to ₹40,000 per month through her graphic design business. Manisha Sharma from Deoria built a T-shirt printing business despite initial resistance, now supporting her family and employing others.

The program's funnel model has shown what's possible in Purvanchal, with the goal of bringing that same approach to more people and communities across India. The Tech Shakti Sri model combines technology with community-led support to help aspiring entrepreneurs turn bold ideas into sustainable livelihoods.