The Business Bytes
Bhubaneswar, September 18, 2024 (TBB Bureau): Affordable internet connectivity brought by Jio has digitally transformed millions of lives across India. From shopkeepers in remote corners accepting UPI payments to tribal farmers benefiting from digital banking services, and students accessing online study materials, Digital India has sparked countless success stories.
For many tribal students and youths in Odisha’s hinterlands, easy and affordable access to the digital world has helped fulfill their dreams and aspirations. One such example is 19-year-old Mangala Muduli, from the Bonda tribe, a particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG), residing in the remote Badbel village in Mudulipada GP of Malkangiri district, Odisha. Mangala made history this year by becoming the first person from his community to clear the NEET examination. Witnessing the lack of healthcare facilities in his village, he had dreamt of becoming a doctor from a young age.
After completing his 10th grade at SSD High School in Mudulipada, he received a JioPhone, which allowed him to access online study materials and prepare for NEET. The availability of internet near his village proved to be a boon, helping him throughout his higher secondary education at SSD Senior Secondary School in Govindapalli. Mangala’s determination, combined with support from teachers and well-wishers, enabled him to crack the NEET exam on his first attempt, securing the 261st rank among tribal candidates. This achievement earned him admission to the prestigious MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Brahmapur, Odisha. In his village of Badbel, Jio’s 4G network is the only one available, continuing to support the aspirations of many others like him.
Similarly, 19-year-old Kalakar Pradhan of the Kandh tribe from Subaranga village in Kandhamal district shared the same dream of becoming a doctor. After finishing school in Bhubaneswar, he returned to his village to help his parents with farming and livestock. Despite these responsibilities, Kalakar pursued his NEET preparation, accessing online study materials via Jio’s 4G network. His determination and the support of internet connectivity helped him clear NEET in his third attempt. This year, he fulfilled his dream by joining SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.
Sanatan Pradhan, another Kandh tribe student from nearby Tadimaha village, had a similar journey. After completing higher secondary studies from Khalikote College in Brahmapur, his family’s financial difficulties forced him to return to his village. With no mobile connectivity in the area, Sanatan trekked three kilometers to a nearby village to download study materials or access online courses through Jio’s 4G network. His perseverance paid off when he cleared the NEET exam in his first attempt this year, securing a seat at MKCG Medical College and Hospital.
Reliance Jio’s commitment to enhancing digital inclusion and bridging the digital divide has connected thousands of remote villages across Odisha with its 4G and 5G network. Overcoming geographical barriers, Jio has extended its network to over 47,000 villages in Odisha, with further expansions underway. In many of these remote areas, Jio’s 4G/5G network is the only available option, enabling access to education, healthcare, digital services, banking, and economic opportunities.
