Itanagar: Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Wednesday handed over the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration – 2024 under the “Innovation – District” category to Kurung Kumey deputy commissioner Vishakha Yadav and her team for their transformative initiative “Project Digi-Kaksha.”
Lauding the efforts of Yadav and her team led by circle officer Chau Woipeng Manpoong, Khandu said the initiative exemplifies how innovation and dedication can bridge the digital divide and deliver quality education to some of India’s most remote and inaccessible areas.
“This groundbreaking project is a shining example of how innovation and dedication can bridge the digital divide. Project Digi-Kaksha stands as a beacon of hope and progress for students in far-flung regions,” Khandu said while presenting the award.
The Chief Minister said the recognition brought immense pride to the state and expressed hope that it would inspire more such transformative initiatives in public service.
Also supported by local MLA Pani Taram, DigiKaksha, launched in the high-altitude frontier villages of Kurung Kumey—one of India’s remotest districts—is fast redefining the future of education and empowerment in the region.
Long hindered by difficult terrain and limited infrastructure, education in Kurung Kumey is witnessing a paradigm shift. Project DigiKaksha delivers a state-of-the-art foundational learning platform that fosters holistic, creative learning beyond textbooks.
A key component of the project is the deployment of Flat Interactive Panels in classrooms, offering CBSE-aligned audio-visual content from Pre-Primary to Class XII.
The tech-enabled model enhances student engagement, especially in areas with minimal access to quality teaching material. Teachers are also empowered through specialized training in modern pedagogical techniques and structured session planning, making classrooms more dynamic and learner-centric.
The initiative places a strong emphasis on foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN), aiming to improve CBSE outcomes and support long-term academic achievement.
Further enriching the educational experience, the project incorporates Children’s Corners inspired by the Building as a Learning Aid (BALA) model—transforming school spaces into interactive learning zones.
A Cultural Corner curates local artifacts and literature to instill a sense of identity and pride, while Library/Learning Pods stocked with over 10,000 books encourage reading habits and self-directed learning.
The Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration are among the highest honours for civil servants in India, recognising innovation, efficiency, and citizen-first governance.
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