Shillong: Union Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has praised Rose Angelina M Kharsyntiew, a village-level entrepreneur (VLE) from Meghalaya, for her exceptional contribution to digital empowerment in rural India.
The recognition came during a national event in New Delhi on Thursday, commemorating 10 years of the Digital India initiative.
Hailing from the remote Mairang area in Eastern West Khasi Hills district, Rose has emerged as a leading force in transforming rural access to digital services.
“Amidst the scenic hills and remote villages of Eastern West Khasi Hills, Rose has scripted a digital revolution,” Vaishnaw said, commending her work through her Common Services Centre (CSC), ‘Rose CSC’.
Starting her journey as a job-seeker in 2015, Rose has since become a job-creator and respected local leader.
Her CSC provides essential services including access to government schemes, banking, insurance, telemedicine, and educational support—making her a key link in bridging the digital divide in Meghalaya.
She is also the driving force behind the ‘Stree Swabhiman’ initiative, a rural sanitary pad manufacturing unit that not only promotes women’s health but also generates employment for women in the region.
Union Minister of State Jitin Prasada also attended the event, which showcased how CSCs have grown into a powerful grassroots network enabling digital inclusion across the country.
According to the IT Ministry, the number of CSCs in India has expanded from 83,000 in 2014 to over 5.5 lakh today, now covering nearly 90% of India’s villages.
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Of these, over 74,000 are led by women VLEs like Rose, who are helping reshape rural economies and digital access.
As part of the next phase of Digital India, the ministry also announced a set of new initiatives, including free Artificial Intelligence training for 10 lakh individuals and expanded services for VLEs to strengthen digital delivery networks in underserved regions.
With changemakers like Rose Angelina leading the charge, the government aims to deepen digital inclusion and empower rural India from the ground up.
