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The Smartpur project, an initiative by the Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF), aims to create digitally enabled and sustainable smart villages across India. By establishing centres equipped with digital infrastructure, Smartpur provides essential services such as financial transactions, education, and healthcare, transforming rural communities into hubs of self-reliance. One such transformative story comes from Narayan Puram village in Choutuppal Mandal, Yadadri Bhuvana Giri district. Yadaiah, a 59-year-old farmer, shared how the initiative has significantly impacted his life and his community. “Earlier, our village lacked basic facilities for banking services. To deposit or withdraw money, we had to travel nearly 18 kilometres to the nearest town. This journey, especially for senior citizens and farmers like me, was exhausting, time-consuming, and expensive. It would take half a day, disrupting our work and daily routines.” In 2019, the Smartpur project introduced a digital service centre in Narayan Puram. The centre, managed by a dedicated spokesperson, now provides a range of financial services, including cash withdrawals, deposits, and other transactions. Additionally, the spokesperson secured a Common Service Centre (CSC) licence, further expanding the scope of services offered.“Thanks to Smartpur, we no longer need to undertake long, costly journeys to access basic banking facilities,” Yadaiah says, his gratitude evident. “Farmers, senior citizens, and the entire community are saving time and effort. Having these services within our village has brought immense relief and convenience. I am truly thankful to DEF for taking this step to support and uplift our community.”
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