Rayagada: Indian Metals & Ferro Alloys Ltd (IMFA), through its CSR arm, the Bansidhar & Ila Panda Foundation (BIPF), has launched the ‘E‑Shikshya Express’, a mobile digital learning initiative aimed at bridging the technology gap in rural communities.
Unveiled at IMFA’s Therubali plant, the mobile classroom will travel across villages, offering students hands‑on training in computer skills, Microsoft Office, internet usage, artificial intelligence (AI) and cyber security. The initiative seeks to reduce barriers such as long travel distances, poor transport facilities and lack of infrastructure that often prevent rural children from accessing computer education.
The initiative is expected to particularly benefit girls and women, equipping them with essential digital skills and connecting them to modern technology.
Pushpanjali Hikaka, a student from Paikapada village, welcomed the project. “We will now be able to access computer education without travelling long distances. This will encourage us to attend classes every day,” she said. Pushpanjali’s school lies 8 km away and with no bus service, regular attendance is difficult.
By bringing digital learning closer to home, IMFA and BIPF aim to expand educational opportunities, improve digital literacy and empower rural communities. The initiative underscores the role of corporate social responsibility in strengthening Odisha’s education ecosystem and preparing students for a technology‑driven future.
