Kathmandu. The World Telecommunication and Information Society Day is being celebrated across the globe today.

The International Information Technology Day is celebrated on May 17 every year to raise awareness about the positive changes that can be brought about in society and economy through the use of the Internet and Information Communication Technology (ICT).

The digital divide is defined as the disparity between individuals, communities or regions who have access to information and communications technology (internet, computers, smartphones, etc.) and those who do not. In particular, the availability and availability of internet services, technology use skills, digital education and information opportunities. The digital divide is that people in remote villages are deprived of access to internet and online services easily while people in urban areas have access to such facilities.

World Telecommunication Day is celebrated since 1969. This day commemorates the establishment of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention in 1865. In 1973, the Plenipotentiary Conference of the ITU held in Málaga-Torremolinos, Spain, officially recognized the day through resolution No. 46.

In 2005, the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) urged the United Nations General Assembly to proclaim May 17 as World Information Society Day. The General Assembly passed a resolution in 2006 to draw attention to various issues related to the information society and importance of information technology.

According to the United Nations, the main objective of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day is to raise awareness about the opportunities that can be achieved in society and economy through the use of internet and information technology and to create an environment that connects all citizens to digital access.