Ketson

Bandipora · Aloosa

4.3K+

Citizens Digitally Empowered

4.3K+

Services Delivered

How This Centre Works

Smartpur Centre Ketson functions as a community-driven digital service centre that combines technology with community outreach. While routine government and banking services are delivered from the centre, many awareness programmes, mobilisation activities, and beneficiary identification exercises are conducted directly in villages through field visits and collaboration with Panchayat representatives, schools, Anganwadi Centres, and government departments.

The Smartpur team assists citizens in understanding government schemes, completing online applications, preparing required documents, and following up with concerned departments whenever necessary. For beneficiaries who are elderly, differently abled, or living in distant hamlets, additional support is provided to ensure they are not excluded from public services. Regular coordination meetings with government departments and local institutions help identify community needs and organise relevant awareness camps, training programmes, and service delivery activities throughout the year.

Facilitated By

Amjid Ahmed Chechi

The Centre Facilitator serves as the primary point of contact between the Smartpur Centre and the community. The facilitator is responsible for delivering digital services, mobilising beneficiaries, maintaining service records, organising awareness programmes, coordinating with government departments, and ensuring that all activities under the six Smartpur pillars are implemented effectively. In addition to providing day-to-day citizen services, the facilitator regularly conducts village outreach visits, identifies eligible beneficiaries, follows up on pending applications, and supports convergence activities with government departments and local institutions. This role is critical in building community trust and ensuring that services reach the most vulnerable households.

Growing up in the remote village of Ketson, employment opportunities were limited, and like many young people in the area, I was searching for meaningful work while wanting to contribute to my community. The establishment of the Nokia Smartpur Centre by REACHA gave me an opportunity not only to earn a livelihood but also to become a catalyst for change in my own village. After being selected and trained as the Centre Facilitator, I developed practical skills in digital service delivery, banking correspondence, government scheme facilitation, community mobilisation, and digital literacy. Over time, I transformed from an unemployed youth into a local entrepreneur managing a Smartpur Centre that delivers essential services to thousands of people living in remote villages. Every day, I assist citizens in accessing government schemes, banking services, Aadhaar-related facilities, educational support, livelihood programmes, and digital services that were once available only in towns. Beyond providing services, I regularly visit neighbouring villages, conduct awareness programmes, mobilise beneficiaries for government initiatives, and coordinate with departments to ensure that public services reach those who need them most. The Smartpur Centre has also provided me with a sustainable source of income while enabling me to create social impact within my own community. The trust that villagers place in the centre has grown steadily, and today people approach the centre not only for digital services but also for guidance, information, and support in accessing opportunities. My journey demonstrates that when rural youth are provided with the right training, infrastructure, and institutional support, they can become successful local entrepreneurs while strengthening digital inclusion and improving the quality of life in their own communities. Today, I take pride in being recognised not simply as a service provider, but as a dependable community resource person contributing to the development of Ketson and the surrounding villages.

Our Initiatives Transforming Lives

Livelihood Training and Capacity Building for Women and Girls

Dec 20, 2025

A livelihood training programme on Sozni embroidery was organized at the Smartpur Centre, Ketson, in collaboration with RSETI Bandipora. The programme aimed to equip women with traditional craft skills and promote income generation opportunities. A total of 36 girls were trained, and 23 participants are currently earning livelihoods through the skills acquired during the training.

Community Context

Who we serve

The centre primarily serves: • Rural households living in remote villages • Tribal and economically weaker families • Women and adolescent girls • School and college students • Unemployed youth • Farmers and livestock rearers • Senior citizens • Persons with disabilities • Self Help Groups (SHGs) • Labourers and unorganised workers • Small entrepreneurs and local artisans

Challenges addressed

The Smartpur Centres in Bandipora operate in geographically remote and socially diverse communities where several challenges affect service delivery. The most significant challenge is the difficult mountainous terrain, with scattered habitations, poor road connectivity, and harsh weather conditions, making it difficult for beneficiaries to regularly visit the centres. Another key challenge is the language barrier, as many members of the Gujjar and Bakarwal communities are more comfortable communicating in Gojri than in Urdu or English. Seasonal migration of nomadic families also affects the continuity of service delivery, as many households migrate to higher pastures for several months every year. In addition, low digital literacy, limited awareness of government schemes, irregular internet connectivity, and financial constraints often discourage people from accessing digital and government services. Women, elderly citizens, and persons with disabilities also face mobility and accessibility challenges. To address these challenges, the Smartpur team adopts a community-centric approach. Instead of expecting beneficiaries to travel long distances, awareness camps, service camps, and beneficiary mobilisation activities are regularly organised within villages and community spaces. Local youth are engaged as Centre Facilitators and volunteers, enabling effective communication in the local language and building trust within the community. Information about government schemes and digital services is explained in simple, locally understood language. During periods of seasonal migration, the team coordinates with community leaders and plans outreach activities before and after migration to ensure maximum coverage. Doorstep assistance is provided to elderly persons, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable beneficiaries whenever required. Continuous field visits, close coordination with Panchayats and government departments, and sustained community engagement have helped overcome these barriers and ensured that essential services reach even the most remote households.

Insights

Key Learnings

01Digital infrastructure alone is not sufficient; continuous community mobilisation and awareness are essential for increasing service utilisation.
02Bringing multiple services under one roof significantly reduces the financial and time burden on rural households.
03Strong convergence with government departments improves both outreach and service quality.
04Financial literacy programmes increase confidence in digital banking and government benefit transfers.
05Local youth trained in digital skills become effective community resource persons and improve service accessibility.
06Livelihood programmes are more effective when followed by departmental convergence and market linkages.
07Disaster preparedness activities have shown that community volunteers can play an important role in strengthening local resilience.
08Regular follow-up and trust-building are key factors in ensuring beneficiaries successfully access government schemes.