Facebook Trains Self-Help Groups in Telangana

Facebook on Friday launched a training programme for rural self-help groups (SHGs) in Telangana to equip them with technological knowledge to promote their products in the digital space.

The first batch of 10 SHG representatives were trained in basics of Facebook, and the various features of the platform, at Facebook's office here and given an overview of how to use Facebook to promote their products online.

The SHG representatives were given a step-by-step walk through of Facebook Page creation and also some tips on posting engaging content, said a statement.

"This programme is part of our continued investment in businesses, developers and the 132 million people who use Facebook in India. These events, which we are rolling out nationwide, will help entrepreneurs in rural India reach new customers and ultimately grow," said Ritesh Mehta, head of Economic Growth Initiatives for Facebook India.

Telangana's IT Secretary Jayesh Ranjan said that the SHGs would immensely benefit as they would now be able to market their products globally, with assistance from Facebook.

Elsewhere, in New York, a small team of Facebook engineers has been working together with a group of local educators on a project that's going to reshape learning through technology.

The Facebook team has chipped in to help create a classroom experience that is centred around students' ambitions at Summit Public Schools, Facebook Chief Product Officer Chris Cox wrote in a blog post recently. These schools have taken a very different approach to learning, with online classrooms and complete personalisation.