How a 17-Year-Old is Aiming to Bridge the Gap of Digital Literacy in Bihar

In the digital age, where computer literacy forms the bedrock of opportunity, Bihar faces a stark reality. According to the latest National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) data, less than 15% of the state's youth aged 15-29 can perform basic digital tasks like sending an email with attachments. This digital divide isn't just about technology—it represents a widening gap in future prospects. Working on a similar project—the impact of war on children in conflict zones during his Global Research Consultancy’s (GRC) Essay Competition for 2023, Kavin Khanna, a 17-year-old economics and psychology student studying in Dubai, saw a deep, global divide in access to education that urgently needs to be addressed. Always drawn towards social equity, profitability, and sustainable education, Kavin decided to take up a project that would address the digital divide in India. 

"I realised that the digital divide isn't just a technological gap; it's a human gap, a future gap," explains Kavin in conversation with Local Samosa. Initially titled ‘I-Leap,’ the academic research programme ranked 11th globally and 1st in the UAE in the GRC competition. Taking the recognition as his starting point to create an impact, the young boy decided to collaborate with the KCS Foundation, a nonprofit working in the fields of livelihood, education, and humanitarian aid, with a strong grassroots presence in Bihar.

That's when the idea for the Skill Leap Initiative was born—an effort to equip underprivileged students with essential evolving digital skills, improve their access to learning tools, and empower them to become active participants in the digital economy. “In partnership with KCS, we launched this initiative in Bihar, starting small but aiming high with the hope of scaling it across other underserved regions in the future,” adds Khanna. 

Kavin operates this initiative remotely from Dubai, while managing his studies during the day and social work during nights and on off days. It is not easy for him, but he remains committed to the change that he wants to create by actively participating in all the aspects from afar. "Regular communication with local teams, constant progress updates, and my initial time on the ground in Bihar have helped me build strong relationships," says the 17-year-old.

His weekends and after-school hours are dedicated to refining the curriculum, ensuring it remains relevant and engaging for the children. During his time in Bihar, Khanna was involved in everything from logistics to the actual implementation of the program. But it is not at all easy to seed a programme in a state where basic literacy is also a question. Critics sometimes question the feasibility of digital literacy programs in regions still struggling with basic educational access, but the foundation and Kavin see encouraging signs. "Today, there's a visible shift in the mindset of students as well as the digital and school infrastructure," he notes. "They're more eager than ever to learn, to explore beyond traditional textbooks, and to understand the digital world that's shaping their future."

This enthusiasm, coupled with strategic partnerships like the one with KCS Foundation, has made the program both viable and impactful. The Foundation's established presence and relationships with schools have helped navigate local challenges effectively.

These efforts have shown great progress. By far, the Skill Leap Project has already reached over 2700 students in Bihar, providing them with the basic skills to develop their digital knowledge. 

For the young lad, this is just the beginning. His vision extends beyond Bihar, aiming to bridge the digital divide across India, "one student at a time," creating pathways to opportunity for thousands of young people who might otherwise be left behind in the digital revolution. As technologies continue to evolve at breakneck speed, initiatives like Skill Leap demonstrate that addressing digital inequality requires not just access to hardware but thoughtfully designed programs that build genuine technological literacy and confidence among underserved communities.