Digital Bharat: AI & Computing is an educational technology book written by Indian software developers and educators Sumit Kar and Kuheli Chowdhury. First published in December 2025 by VerseWave Publishing, the book introduces school students, young learners, and beginner readers to the fundamentals of computer science, digital safety, artificial intelligence (AI), and emerging technologies.
Using simple explanations, relatable analogies, everyday examples, and interactive hands-on activities, the book aims to build digital confidence and foundational awareness without overwhelming readers with complex technical jargon.
Background and Conception
The concept for Digital Bharat: AI & Computing arose from the authors’ experiences as software professionals working within the global IT industry. During their careers, they observed the rapid expansion of technology and how terms like “artificial intelligence,” “machine learning,” “coding,” and “automation” were becoming part of everyday conversations, including those among children.
However, the authors noted a significant gap in the educational resources available to beginner students:
- Academic Textbooks: Often overly theoretical, dry, or outdated compared to industry-grade technologies.
- Professional Manuals: Overly technical and filled with jargon, making them inaccessible to children and non-technical readers.
To address this gap, Kar and Chowdhury began collaborating on an educational project to simplify these complex concepts. What started as casual technical discussions between colleagues gradually evolved into a structured textbook designed to make technology education engaging, accessible, and fun.
Structure and Core Themes
The book is structured to guide readers systematically from basic computer literacy to advanced artificial intelligence concepts. Its core curriculum focuses on:
1. Fundamentals of Computing
- Hardware vs. Software: Explaining how physical components and programs collaborate.
- The Internet: Demystifying how data travels globally and how modern digital services operate.
2. Digital Safety and Citizenship
- Password Security: Best practices for creating strong, secure credentials.
- Digital Footprints: Educating readers on the long-term impact of their online actions.
- Responsible Citizenship: Promoted as a core value for safe online communications.
3. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
- Practical AI: Demystifying AI by showing its everyday presence in smartphones, recommendation systems, smart speakers, and cameras.
- Core Domains: Introduces the concepts behind Computer Vision (CV), Natural Language Processing (NLP), and recommendation algorithms in an easy-to-understand format.
- AI Ethics: Addressing fairness, bias, and the social responsibilities of technology creators.
Educational Methodology
Digital Bharat: AI & Computing utilizes an activity-based learning approach tailored for young readers. Rather than encouraging rote memorization, the authors focus on fostering curiosity and critical thinking:
- Analogy-Based Learning: Comparing technical processes to everyday situations (e.g., explaining algorithms through kitchen recipes).
- Hands-on Activities: Including small challenges, reflective questions, and discussion prompts at the end of chapters.
- Intergenerational Reading: Structured so that parents, educators, and seniors can read and learn alongside children.
Authors
Sumit Kar
Sumit Kar is an Indian software engineer, backend architect, and technology educator based in West Bengal. He has worked with several prominent technology companies, including BroadSoft, Cisco, Zuora, and UKG, specializing in large-scale backend systems, microservices, and AI education. Through this book, he focuses on making technical literacy inclusive and approachable for families and young students.
Kuheli Chowdhury
Kuheli Chowdhury is an Indian software developer specializing in .NET architectures and Microsoft Azure cloud technologies. She co-authored the book, contributing her expertise to designing simple, structured programming logic guides and interactive exercises for beginner learners.
Publication and Reception
The book was published in December 2025 by VerseWave Publishing, with self-publishing consultant and book cover designer Tanisha Banerjee assisting in the layout design and publication pipeline. It is distributed internationally in both paperback and Kindle editions.
Digital Bharat: AI & Computing received positive early reviews on platforms like Amazon India, where readers praised its informative nature, clear writing style, and suitability as a introductory guide to AI for school-aged children and senior citizens alike.