Misinformation and disinformation, particularly in rural areas, have long been societal challenges, exacerbated by limited digital literacy and accessibility. In Jharkhand’s Khunti district, the village of Gutjora is a microcosm of these struggles. This case study explores the critical role played by Anokha Devi, a local InfoPreneur, in empowering her community through digital literacy, combating misinformation, and addressing cyber frauds.
Gutjora, a village located in Khunti Block of Khunti District, Jharkhand, lies approximately 11 kilometers north of the district headquarters and 27 kilometers from the state capital, Ranchi. The village is home to approximately 4,000 people, primarily from the Teli, Munda, Koiry, and Mahto communities. This agrarian population relies heavily on cultivation and cattle farming, reflecting a rural economy rooted in labor-intensive agriculture. Due to limited educational opportunities and a lack of access to modern technology, Gutjora’s inhabitants are vulnerable to various forms of exploitation, including misinformation, disinformation, and cyber fraud.
Women in Gutjora, representing a slight majority of the population, play a central role in both the household and agricultural economy. Despite their critical contributions, they often have limited exposure to digital tools and are particularly susceptible to misinformation and harmful practices like witchcraft and fraudulent activities. Additionally, the village has a small population of persons with disabilities (PWDs), primarily individuals with accidental injuries, further adding to the community’s vulnerability to exploitation.
Misinformation, often spread through word of mouth or traditional community leaders such as priests and palmists, deeply influences the rural population in Gutjora. Superstitions and traditional customs are widely practiced, often leading to severe consequences. For example, women seeking remedies for personal problems or health issues are frequently exploited by charlatans. One such incident involved a local woman who was advised to pay INR 10,000 to a healer in a neighbouring block to ensure the birth of a male child. Her trust in this misinformation was only interrupted by the intervention of Anokha Devi, the village infopreneur, who educated her about the falsehood of such claims.
Similarly, young women from the village are often targeted by traffickers, who promise respectable jobs in urban areas. These promises frequently lead to exploitation and human trafficking. In a notable case, two adolescent girls from the village were rescued by the police, with critical support from Anokha Devi, who had previously encouraged their parents to report the case to local authorities. These incidents illustrate the pervasive influence of misinformation and the real-world harm it causes to vulnerable individuals.
In addition to misinformation, Gutjora’s residents are highly vulnerable to cyber fraud, particularly as they become more connected to digital platforms. Due to limited digital literacy, many villagers are unaware of basic online safety practices, making them prime targets for fraudsters. Farmers, who rely heavily on government subsidies and loans for agricultural inputs like seeds, tractors, and fertilizers, are often duped by scammers. These scammers, armed with information obtained from local government offices, offer fraudulent loan schemes and extract large sums of money from unsuspecting villagers.
One common tactic involves phishing scams through phone calls, WhatsApp messages, or text messages, where fraudsters impersonate government officials or financial institutions. Because of the villagers’ lack of familiarity with digital communication, many fall victim to these schemes, losing significant amounts of money. Cyber fraud is further complicated by the lack of awareness about proper reporting channels or mechanisms to recover lost funds.
To combat these challenges, the Safeguarding Rural India through Critical Digital Literacy project was introduced in Gutjora, with Anokha Devi serving as the village’s infopreneur. An infopreneur is a trained individual responsible for educating and empowering their community through digital literacy and critical thinking, particularly in identifying and combating misinformation, disinformation, and cyber fraud. This project targets rural areas where internet access is growing, but digital literacy remains low, and people are at heightened risk of exploitation.
The primary goal of the initiative is to provide digital literacy training, equip individuals with tools to identify online fraud, and raise awareness of misinformation and harmful traditional practices. The project emphasises practical, locally relevant training, focusing on educating women, youth, and vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities.
To effectively engage the community, the project began with a detailed community profiling exercise, identifying key demographic factors, socio-economic conditions, and prevalent local issues. The profiling helped design the training sessions to meet the specific needs of the community. The training was conducted in phases, targeting small groups of women and youth. Given the challenges of low smartphone ownership and limited time due to domestic responsibilities, the training sessions were organised during midday breaks and supplemented with group learning activities.
Initially, the village women faced significant challenges in understanding digital terms, symbols, and online safety practices. To overcome this, the training incorporated symbol recognition exercises, informative games, and story-based learning, where local incidents were used as examples to illustrate the dangers of misinformation and cyber fraud. Drama and role-play exercises were particularly effective in engaging the participants and helping them grasp complex concepts.
Anokha Devi worked closely with local community leaders, including Panchayat members, to encourage broader participation in the training sessions. The involvement of trusted local figures helped gain the community’s trust and ensured sustained engagement. The infopreneur also collaborated with local government officials to facilitate the registration of complaints and provide access to legal resources for victims of fraud and exploitation.
Given the limited access to smartphones, training sessions were conducted using laptops and shared devices, allowing multiple participants to practice together. This group-based approach fostered a sense of collaboration and mutual support among the participants. As part of the project, Anokha Devi also introduced participants to essential digital tools, such as MeraApp, which provides access to government services and information. Over time, participants became more confident in using digital platforms and learned how to avoid common online scams.
The impact of the Safeguarding Rural India through Critical Digital Literacy project has been both qualitative and quantitative. A marked decrease in online fraud cases, cyberbullying, and misinformation-related incidents has been observed in Gutjora. One of the key successes was the rescue of two trafficked girls, achieved through timely intervention and legal action facilitated by the infopreneur.
Additionally, over 105 individuals directly benefited from the training sessions, with each participant subsequently training others in the village. This ripple effect of digital literacy has helped create a more informed and resilient community. More than 3000 villagers were registered on MeraApp, allowing them to access verified information and essential services without relying on intermediaries who could potentially exploit them.
Qualitatively, the training empowered women to challenge long-standing superstitions and traditional practices that perpetuated exploitation and harm. For example, after the intervention, village women began questioning the efficacy of witchcraft and stopped participating in harmful rituals that drained their financial resources. Anokha Devi’s efforts also helped reduce instances of domestic violence, as women gained the confidence to report abuse and seek legal recourse.
The case study also highlights the psychosocial impact of the project. Through community-based training and awareness programs, women in Gutjora developed a stronger sense of self-reliance and agency. They are now less likely to fall victim to misinformation and more proactive in protecting themselves and their families from cyber fraud. Moreover, the project has fostered a greater sense of community solidarity, as women support one another in combating social evils and protecting their rights.
One of the key challenges faced in implementing the project was the lack of access to smartphones and digital devices. In a village where most families rely on agriculture for their livelihood, investing in technology was not a priority. However, the collective use of shared devices during training sessions helped mitigate this issue. Providing affordable access to smartphones or community digital hubs could further enhance the project’s long-term sustainability.
Another significant challenge was the deeply entrenched cultural and social norms that perpetuate misinformation and exploitation. Many of the villagers, particularly women, are accustomed to relying on traditional sources of authority, such as priests and palmists, to resolve personal issues. Overcoming these beliefs required a patient, community-based approach, leveraging local incidents to demonstrate the harm caused by misinformation and cyber fraud. Using local language and culturally relevant stories proved to be an effective way to communicate new ideas and foster behavioural change.
While the initial results of the project are promising, sustaining the momentum requires ongoing support and monitoring. Continued collaboration with local government institutions and community leaders is essential to ensure that the gains made in digital literacy and awareness are not lost over time. Furthermore, providing ongoing training for new participants, particularly younger generations, will help build a digitally resilient community.
The case of Gutjora village in Jharkhand highlights the transformative potential of critical digital literacy in combating misinformation, disinformation, and cyber fraud in rural areas. By empowering women and vulnerable populations through targeted education and community engagement, the Safeguarding Rural India through Critical Digital Literacy project has fostered greater digital resilience, improved access to reliable information, and reduced instances of exploitation. The role of the infopreneur, exemplified by Anokha Devi, has been instrumental in driving this change, demonstrating the power of local leadership and grassroots interventions in addressing digital challenges in rural India.
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