* Contributes 20,000 new devices to impact over 100,000 students
* Calls upon customers and employees to join hands, contribute to reduce the digital divide in the country, and spread the festive cheer
Amazon India today announced its aim to bridge the prevailing digital divide in the country, increase accessibility of digital devices for students from underprivileged communities, and thus empower them for a brighter future. In line with this focus, and to strengthen the spirit of the festive cheer, the company announced the launch of ‘Delivering Smiles’ initiative, alongside the Amazon Great India Festival 2021. The program will enable customers to experience the joy of giving and participate in the company’s objective to reduce the digital gap.
Amazon will directly provide 20,000 digital devices to underprivileged young people, in partnership with over 150 large and small non-profit organizations, impacting over 100,000 students across India. Of these 150 organizations, 100 non-profit partners will be selected basis internal employee nominations as part of Amazon’s volunteering program. Additionally, customers are encouraged to either contribute in cash or give their old mobile phones that will be refurbished and distributed to provide digital learning devices for young people.
In an increasingly digital world, access to a digital device can open up a multitude of opportunities for young people to learn, explore and grow; yet a wide digital divide exists in the country. The pandemic has underlined the urgency to bridge this digital divide, and ensure uniform access to healthcare, education and financial services online. Through the Delivering Smiles initiative, Amazon India will directly give, and facilitate contribution of digital devices among students and young people from marginalized communities, and aim to contribute to the digitization goals of India.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to focus the stark digital divide, not only in the field of education but also in access to essential services. Amongst the most adversely affected are young people from marginalized communities. Together with our customers, employees and partners, we aim to bridge the gap by enabling young people with digital devices for continued access to online education and essential services for their families. This is also our way to bring more smiles and add to the festive cheer of Amazon India’s Great India Festival across the length and breadth of the country,” said Manish Tiwary, Vice President, Amazon India. “Amazon is committed to invest in the future of our country. We are aware that while talent and passion is spread across all young people, opportunity is not. This also led us to recently launch our global signature computer science education initiative, Amazon Future Engineer, in India that aims to enable access to quality computer science education and career opportunities for underprivileged students,” Manish added.
Cash contribution from customers is enabled by a partnership between Amazon Pay and GiveIndia, India’s largest and most trusted giving platform. Proceeds from the contribution will be used for purchasing new devices, data cards and digital accessories for students. Customers will also be enabled to contribute their old mobile phones online, whereby Cashify, Amazon’s partner in this initiative will enable the pick-up of old mobiles that will be refurbished and given to Goonj, India’s leading nonprofit organization working in the field of sustainable material giving, to benefit thousands of young people.
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