Founder’s Note
Shankar Prasad Mahto, a 60-year-old resident of Deoria village in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, had long been seeking clarity on various government welfare schemes. Like many elderly citizens in remote rural areas, he was unsure of the eligibility criteria, documentation, and application processes required to access these schemes.
A month ago, he heard about the Soochna Adhikar Kendra (SAK) operating in his vicinity, a community-based digital information hub facilitated by the Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF). On visiting the centre, he was warmly welcomed and guided by the SoochnaPreneur, who provided detailed step-by-step information on how to apply for welfare schemes.
With the team’s support, Mr. Mahto chose to apply for the Mukhyamantri Vriddhjan Pension Yojana, a pension scheme for senior citizens in Bihar. The SAK staff offered him a checklist of necessary documents, including an Aadhaar card, an income certificate, passport-sized photographs, photocopies of his bank passbook, and other relevant proofs.
He returned the very next day with all the documents in hand. The SoochnaPreneur at the centre filled in the online application on his behalf and explained the subsequent verification steps at the local bank branch. Throughout the process, Mr. Mahto was impressed by the centre’s patient approach, clear communication, and thorough guidance.
Thanks to DEF’s intervention through the Soochna Adhikar Kendra, what once seemed an overwhelming bureaucratic process was transformed into an empowering experience. Stories like Mr. Mahto’s are a testament to the importance of accessible digital services and community-based information support systems, especially for those who have been historically excluded from state services due to a lack of access and digital literacy.
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