How Cisco and Jagriti Are Unlocking Digital Potential in Purvanchal
Key Highlights
- ➤1,110 women mobilized across Deoria, Kushinagar, and Gorakhpur
- ➤618 women completed structured digital and entrepreneurial skills training
- ➤42 women selected for intensive incubation with equipment and mentorship
- ➤Kashish Verma earns close to ₹40,000 monthly from four design clients
- ➤Tech Shakti Shri enterprises span drone services, graphic design, and digital centers
Expert Statements
Ashutosh Kumar, CEO of Jagriti
“The real impact is not just in the businesses women build, but in the ripple effects they create - changing perceptions within families, inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs, and strengthening communities.”
Ashutosh Kumar, CEO of Jagriti
“In Purvanchal, we say jo dikhta hai, wahi bikta hai - what is visible, sells. For generations, women here have possessed extraordinary capability, but too often it remained unseen,”
Ashutosh Kumar, CEO of Jagriti
“Tech Shakti Sri was designed to change that by creating pathways from awareness to opportunity and from potential to enterprise.”
Harish Krishnan, Managing Director & Chief Policy Officer, Cisco India, South and South East Asia
“Our commitment is to ensure that access to technology and opportunity reach those who need it the most, so that their determination can translate into lasting progress for themselves, their families, and their communities,”
Harish Krishnan, Managing Director & Chief Policy Officer, Cisco India, South and South East Asia
“We are proud of what these women have achieved, and they inspire us to keep building pathways that enable more people to realize their potential.”
Kashish Verma, Tech Shakti Shri participant
“Everything changed for me after I connected with Jagriti,”
Kashish Verma, Tech Shakti Shri participant
“Our mentor gave us a clear roadmap to turn clients into long-term partners. The path here was challenging, but with the right guidance and connections, the journey became smoother.”
Manisha Sharma, Tech Shakti Shri participant
“Many people said, ‘this work isn't meant for women,'”
Manisha Sharma, Tech Shakti Shri participant
“There were moments where I felt like giving up, but I kept going.”
Seema Gupta, Tech Shakti Shri participant
“Today, I am earning well,”
Seema Gupta, Tech Shakti Shri participant
“I am making a name for myself.”
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / October 15, 2026 / Seema Gupta, the ‘Drone Didi' of Deoria, learned how to build her business through the Tech Shakti Sri program.
This blog post is being guest written by Shreya Arora on Cisco's India Cash Grant team, where she supports the rollout and governance of CSR programs across India. Drawing on seven years of experience in program development and fundraising, Shreya brings a holistic view of the nonprofit world and a strong desire to translate local needs into real-world solutions.
Get started
Create a free account to read the full story.