Muqam
Bandipora · Aloosa
How This Centre Works
Mohammad Iqbal Shah
The Centre Facilitator is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of Smartpur Centre Muqam while serving as the primary link between the community and government institutions. The facilitator delivers digital services, Banking Correspondent services, beneficiary mobilisation, awareness campaigns, reporting, and coordination with line departments. Beyond office-based services, the facilitator conducts regular village visits, identifies eligible beneficiaries, organises community awareness programmes, supports government convergence activities, and ensures that Smartpur interventions reach vulnerable households across the centre's service area.
Before joining the Nokia Smartpur Project, employment opportunities in my village were limited, and like many young people, I was searching for a stable livelihood while hoping to build a better future. Becoming the Centre Facilitator at Smartpur Centre Muqam gave me an opportunity to transform my career and serve my own community at the same time. Through the training and continuous support provided under the Smartpur initiative, I developed practical skills in digital service delivery, Banking Correspondent operations, government scheme facilitation, community mobilisation, and digital literacy. What began as an employment opportunity gradually evolved into a community-led enterprise where I now manage a centre that provides essential services to thousands of rural citizens. Every day, I help students apply for scholarships, assist farmers in accessing government schemes, facilitate banking transactions for senior citizens, support women in obtaining welfare benefits, and guide unemployed youth towards education, skills, and livelihood opportunities. I also conduct awareness programmes and work closely with government departments to ensure that public services reach the last mile. The Smartpur Centre has not only provided me with sustainable self-employment but has also earned me the trust of the local community. Today, villagers recognise the centre as a dependable place for guidance, digital services, and government support, and I take pride in contributing to the development of my village. My journey demonstrates how empowering local youth with skills, technology, and responsibility can create entrepreneurs who become valuable assets for their communities.
Our Initiatives Transforming Lives
Community Context
Who we serve
The centre primarily serves: • Rural households • Women and adolescent girls • School and college students • Unemployed youth • Farmers and orchard growers • Senior citizens • Persons with disabilities • Self Help Groups (SHGs) • Labourers and unorganised workers • Small entrepreneurs • Economically weaker families
Challenges addressed
The Smartpur Centres in Bandipora operate in geographically remote and socially diverse communities where several challenges affect service delivery. The most significant challenge is the difficult mountainous terrain, with scattered habitations, poor road connectivity, and harsh weather conditions, making it difficult for beneficiaries to regularly visit the centres. Another key challenge is the language barrier, as many members of the Gujjar and Bakarwal communities are more comfortable communicating in Gojri than in Urdu or English. Seasonal migration of nomadic families also affects the continuity of service delivery, as many households migrate to higher pastures for several months every year. In addition, low digital literacy, limited awareness of government schemes, irregular internet connectivity, and financial constraints often discourage people from accessing digital and government services. Women, elderly citizens, and persons with disabilities also face mobility and accessibility challenges. To address these challenges, the Smartpur team adopts a community-centric approach. Instead of expecting beneficiaries to travel long distances, awareness camps, service camps, and beneficiary mobilisation activities are regularly organised within villages and community spaces. Local youth are engaged as Centre Facilitators and volunteers, enabling effective communication in the local language and building trust within the community. Information about government schemes and digital services is explained in simple, locally understood language. During periods of seasonal migration, the team coordinates with community leaders and plans outreach activities before and after migration to ensure maximum coverage. Doorstep assistance is provided to elderly persons, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable beneficiaries whenever required. Continuous field visits, close coordination with Panchayats and government departments, and sustained community engagement have helped overcome these barriers and ensured that essential services reach even the most remote households.
Key Learnings
- 01Community trust is built through consistent service delivery and regular field engagement.
- 02Rural citizens adopt digital services more readily when support is available locally.
- 03Strong coordination with government departments significantly improves programme outreach.
- 04Financial literacy programmes encourage greater use of formal banking systems.
- 05Local youth can become effective digital entrepreneurs when provided with appropriate training and infrastructure.
- 06Community awareness activities remain essential for increasing access to welfare schemes.
- 07Livelihood initiatives are more sustainable when linked with government support and skill development.
- 08Disaster preparedness becomes more effective when awareness programmes are conducted regularly at the village level.