India, July 20 -- As India celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Digital India initiative, it is time not only to measure progress in broadband penetration or digital payments, but to recognise the human spirit that has powered this transformation at the grassroots. At the heart of this revolution stands an unlikely yet formidable force: the Village Level Entrepreneur (VLE).
These VLEs, operating over 5.5 lakh Common Services Centres (CSCs) across the country, are the quiet architects of India's digital journey. They have emerged not merely as service delivery agents, but as connective tissue between government and citizen, rural and urban, tradition and technology. In many ways, they are the Bharat Setu - the living bridge that holds up ...