Latest news with #DigitalSakhi
Deccan Herald
4 days ago
- Business
- Deccan Herald
Financial literacy is a superpower, it is time women claimed it
This Independence Day, let's talk about a different kind of freedom: financial independence for data suggests we're on the move. Women now make up 26% of all mutual fund investors in India, with their assets under management more than doubling in five years to ₹11.25 lakh-crore. Anecdotal data, however, caveats this otherwise healthy growth by highlighting that there remains a tendency for male family members to invest in a woman's name if she falls into a lower tax bracket, this growth is only a glimpse of the untapped potential waiting to be unlocked through greater participation and 31,500 govt employees opt for UPS till July 20: Finance Minister .According to the Finsafe Women & Finances Survey (2025), over 60% of Indian women feel unsure whether they've saved enough for personal goals. More than 30% invest only in fixed deposits or insurance, steering clear of higher-return products like mutual funds, bonds or equities. These patterns echo a persistent gender gap in financial awareness and action, even as many platforms now push tailored learning for financial products such as bank accounts, insurance, loans, and mutual funds is no less than a superpower. It brings security, confidence, and agency to make both simple and bold life choices. While women in India hold around 38% of bank accounts and contribute nearly 40% of total deposits, only a fraction actively invest. That's a missed opportunity not just for women, but for the is still rarely part of everyday conversations among women. Talking about SIPs, loans or insurance with friends or family is uncommon, a silence that contributes to financial exclusion and lost opportunity. When we share questions or experiences, we create space for others to ask, learn, and act. This, in part, is attributable to financial services companies advertising to and modelling their communication only around advertisements. For instance, when was the last time you saw a woman on television saying 'mutual funds sahi hai'?.Role of women in micro finance sector a growing ecosystem is working to close this gap. The National Strategy for Financial Education (2020-2025) includes specific goals for women's financial empowerment. Initiatives like Digital Sakhi by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) train rural women in digital finance and entrepreneurship. The Self-Help Group (SHG) Bank Linkage programme now reaches 1.4 million SHGs and nearly 20 million women, making it the world's largest microfinance network. By pooling savings, managing loans, and learning credit discipline, these groups build real-world financial efforts to expand market access are gaining momentum. In July, the NSE signed an MoU with WE HUB to help women-led MSMEs understand and access public despite rising AUM, many women continue to rely on male family members to make investment decisions. This dynamic affects women disproportionately. Men, in contrast, are rarely expected to seek spousal or familial approval before investing. The gender gap in decision-making authority must be addressed alongside access. Unfortunately, this aspect continues to be missed most industry leaders as well. For instance, we hardly see women exercising their agency in any investment or insurance there's a larger economic case too. Global financial services firms could add $700 billion in annual revenue by serving women customers as well as they serve men. The gap isn't just social. It's structural and steps that need to be taken to build financial confidence are:Create informal money circles with women you trust. Discuss questions about loans, SIPs, insurance and investing. Focus on regulated products only. Learn by doing. Explore investment platforms to understand equity, bonds, and mutual local or virtual workshops run by the National Centre for Financial Education (NCFE), financial literacy centres, or women-centric programmes like Digital and track personal goals. Ask specific questions about product features and costs. Curiosity builds more women to talk about money, to ask, to learn, to decide, is not just smart economics, it's a cultural shift. When women own financial knowledge, they don't just plan better futures for themselves, they create ripple effects across families and industry leaders must adequately represent women in their media and communications. Neha Juneja is an entrepreneur and startup leader Disclaimer: Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the author's own. They do not necessarily reflect the views of DH.
Economic Times
07-08-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Driving impact: L&T Finance Ltd.'s inclusive approach to CSR
Synopsis L&T Finance Ltd. demonstrates its commitment to India's sustainable growth through strategic CSR initiatives. In 2024-25, the company's efforts focused on digital and financial inclusion, climate impact management, disaster management, and social inclusion. These programs empowered rural communities, promoted climate resilience, provided disaster relief, and fostered social equity, all while upholding strong governance and transparency. ET Spotlight Apurva Rathod, Company Secretary and Chief Sustainability Officer, L&T Finance Ltd. From ancient traditions to modern enterprise, the enduring spirit of societal contribution has always been deeply woven into India's fabric. Today, propelled by progressive regulatory reforms and enhanced transparency, philanthropy has evolved into a powerful force for economic and social development. This commitment to positive impact is now integral to how businesses operate and increasingly influences stakeholder L&T Finance Ltd. (LTF), our purpose extends beyond business. We are committed to being a trusted partner in India's sustainable growth journey. Our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy focuses on Digital and Financial Inclusion, Climate Impact Management, Disaster Management, and Social Inclusion. We believe that these interventions can drive larger social impact, scalability, and sustainability in the outcomes. Equally important, we have embedded strong governance practices to ensure our efforts remain community-led, accountable, and effective. Digital and Financial Inclusion - A cornerstone of our CSR initiatives has been the Digital Sakhi programme, which continued to scale its reach in 2024–25. This initiative trains rural women in digital and financial literacy, enabling them not only to become agents of change within their communities but also to become independent and create their own identity in society. Over the years, more than 14.20 Lakh community members, including over 7.50 Lakh rural women, were equipped to conduct safe cashless transactions, access formal banking channels, and guide others in adopting digital payments. These Sakhis have been instrumental in helping over 2.40 Lakh families access government welfare schemes worth Rs. 180 Crore, manage finances better, and even launch or expand to more than 10,500 rural women-led ripple effects of financial literacy have been striking that translating into improved household savings, more resilient local economies, and a growing culture of women-led entrepreneurship amongst 5,000-plus enterprises. Climate Impact Management – It remains one of the most significant risks for rural India, especially for smallholder farmers. In 2024–25, our CSR interventions focused on promoting climate-resilient horticulture on over 550 acres of land and planting more than 1 lakh saplings. Under Project Prakruti, we supported over 5000 farmers with training in micro-irrigation and soil health management. Under Jalvaibhav 2.0, 58 water conservation structures were built and restored, thereby benefitting 500 acres of land and creating an additional water harvesting capacity of 40,000 kilolitres, boosting groundwater recharge and enabling reliable irrigation. Disaster Management - Our commitment to disaster management continued with equal focus on response and preparedness. In 2024–25, we provided swift relief kits to more than 1.30 Lakhs victims in the wake of floods, cyclones, and other natural disasters. Social Inclusion - Our CSR approach is fundamentally driven by a deep commitment to inclusivity, ensuring no one is left behind. Our social inclusion programs in 2024–25 focused on implementing a pilot project in Banking and Financial Services for the unemployed youth. This pilot project was successfully conducted and as a result, 66 males and 134 Females passed the course titled 'Banking and Finance – Operation & Sales' and got successfully placed in banking and non-banking financial of the principles I hold most dear as Chief Sustainability Officer is governance rooted in transparency and community participation. In 2024–25, we reinforced this through multiple channels like Community Feedback Systems. We conducted regular surveys and field meetings to capture the voices of those we serve. We brought together local leaders, Self-Help Group representatives, teachers, and other stakeholders in the form of Community Advisory Panels to review progress, provide input, and ensure alignment with community priorities. State, district and dluster-level workshops convened government officials, NGOs, community members, and our CSR teams to share learning, build partnerships, and celebrate successes. These governance mechanisms didn't just improve the quality of our interventions; they built trust, local ownership, and visibility for our CSR initiatives. Looking Ahead: 2024–25 demonstrated that impactful CSR is driven by partnership with communities. By aligning our focus areas with real local needs and by listening, learning, and co-creating solutions, we ensured our work was both strategic and sustainable. At LTF, we remain committed to deepening these efforts. Going forward, we will continue investing in digital & financial inclusion, climate resilience, disaster preparedness, and social inclusion while holding ourselves accountable to the highest standards of governance and transparency. Together with our partners and the communities we serve, we will keep working toward a more inclusive, resilient, and equitable rural article has been contributed by Apurva Rathod, Company Secretary and Chief Sustainability Officer, L&T Finance Ltd. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the story are independent professional judgment of the experts and we do not take any responsibility for the accuracy of their views. The brand is solely liable for the correctness, reliability of the content and/or compliance of applicable laws. The above is non-editorial content and TIL does not guarantee, vouch or endorse any of it. Please take all steps necessary to ascertain that any information and content provided is correct, updated, and verified. (This article is generated and published by ET Spotlight team. You can get in touch with them on etspotlight@
Time of India
07-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Driving impact: L&T Finance Ltd.'s inclusive approach to CSR
From ancient traditions to modern enterprise, the enduring spirit of societal contribution has always been deeply woven into India's fabric. Today, propelled by progressive regulatory reforms and enhanced transparency, philanthropy has evolved into a powerful force for economic and social development. This commitment to positive impact is now integral to how businesses operate and increasingly influences stakeholder expectations. At L&T Finance Ltd. (LTF), our purpose extends beyond business. We are committed to being a trusted partner in India's sustainable growth journey. Our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy focuses on Digital and Financial Inclusion, Climate Impact Management, Disaster Management, and Social Inclusion. We believe that these interventions can drive larger social impact, scalability, and sustainability in the outcomes. Equally important, we have embedded strong governance practices to ensure our efforts remain community-led, accountable, and effective. Digital and Financial Inclusion - A cornerstone of our CSR initiatives has been the Digital Sakhi programme, which continued to scale its reach in 2024–25. This initiative trains rural women in digital and financial literacy, enabling them not only to become agents of change within their communities but also to become independent and create their own identity in society. ET Spotlight Ms. Rathod (Center) at the launch of Digital Sakhi project in Saharsa, Bihar Over the years, more than 14.20 Lakh community members, including over 7.50 Lakh rural women, were equipped to conduct safe cashless transactions, access formal banking channels, and guide others in adopting digital payments. These Sakhis have been instrumental in helping over 2.40 Lakh families access government welfare schemes worth Rs. 180 Crore, manage finances better, and even launch or expand to more than 10,500 rural women-led microenterprises. The ripple effects of financial literacy have been striking that translating into improved household savings, more resilient local economies, and a growing culture of women-led entrepreneurship amongst 5,000-plus enterprises. Live Events Climate Impact Management – It remains one of the most significant risks for rural India, especially for smallholder farmers. In 2024–25, our CSR interventions focused on promoting climate-resilient horticulture on over 550 acres of land and planting more than 1 lakh saplings. Under Project Prakruti, we supported over 5000 farmers with training in micro-irrigation and soil health management. Under Jalvaibhav 2.0, 58 water conservation structures were built and restored, thereby benefitting 500 acres of land and creating an additional water harvesting capacity of 40,000 kilolitres, boosting groundwater recharge and enabling reliable irrigation. Disaster Management - Our commitment to disaster management continued with equal focus on response and preparedness. In 2024–25, we provided swift relief kits to more than 1.30 Lakhs victims in the wake of floods, cyclones, and other natural disasters. Social Inclusion - Our CSR approach is fundamentally driven by a deep commitment to inclusivity, ensuring no one is left behind. Our social inclusion programs in 2024–25 focused on implementing a pilot project in Banking and Financial Services for the unemployed youth. This pilot project was successfully conducted and as a result, 66 males and 134 Females passed the course titled 'Banking and Finance – Operation & Sales' and got successfully placed in banking and non-banking financial institutions. One of the principles I hold most dear as Chief Sustainability Officer is governance rooted in transparency and community participation. In 2024–25, we reinforced this through multiple channels like Community Feedback Systems. We conducted regular surveys and field meetings to capture the voices of those we serve. We brought together local leaders, Self-Help Group representatives, teachers, and other stakeholders in the form of Community Advisory Panels to review progress, provide input, and ensure alignment with community priorities. State, district and dluster-level workshops convened government officials, NGOs, community members, and our CSR teams to share learning, build partnerships, and celebrate successes. These governance mechanisms didn't just improve the quality of our interventions; they built trust, local ownership, and visibility for our CSR initiatives. Looking Ahead: 2024–25 demonstrated that impactful CSR is driven by partnership with communities. By aligning our focus areas with real local needs and by listening, learning, and co-creating solutions, we ensured our work was both strategic and sustainable. At LTF, we remain committed to deepening these efforts. Going forward, we will continue investing in digital & financial inclusion, climate resilience, disaster preparedness, and social inclusion while holding ourselves accountable to the highest standards of governance and transparency. Together with our partners and the communities we serve, we will keep working toward a more inclusive, resilient, and equitable rural India. The article has been contributed by Apurva Rathod, Company Secretary and Chief Sustainability Officer, L&T Finance Ltd.
Business Standard
08-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
L & T Finance Ltd. Launches a Comprehensive Financial Awareness Drive
NewsVoir Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 8: L & T Finance Ltd. (LTF), one of the leading Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) in the country, has launched a comprehensive financial awareness drive aimed at empowering diverse communities across India. The initiative will deliver vital information to a wide spectrum of target groups, ensuring that diverse populations have the knowledge and tools to navigate financial decisions confidently and securely. LTF will specifically focus on reaching and benefiting rural women, senior citizens, both rural and urban youth, self-employed individuals, salaried professionals, and students with this initiative. The campaign will address a broad range of essential financial topics, providing practical guidance and promoting responsible financial behaviour. Key themes include RBI-mandated customer rights, account operation guidelines, and loan management education amongst others. Furthermore, the Company will promote essential aspects such as safeguarding digital banking and online transactions, especially in rural communities, and combating digital fraud. Mr. Raju Dodti, Chief Operating Officer at LTF, said, "At L & T Finance Ltd., we recognise the critical importance of financial literacy in empowering individuals and building a financially secure society. This initiative reflects our commitment to providing accessible and practical knowledge across diverse communities, enabling them to navigate the evolving financial landscape with confidence and resilience. By leveraging a multi-channel approach and engaging content, we aim to reach out to about 6.5 Crore individuals so they can make informed decisions and protect themselves from frauds." To maximise the reach and effectiveness of the initiative, LTF will employ a strategic multi-channel approach, integrating owned and digital platforms with community engagement. This will involve establishing a dedicated online page for financial literacy on the corporate website, deploying timely awareness campaigns through push and in-app notifications, engaging diverse audiences through targeted and interactive social media content, delivering concise and actionable information directly to customers via SMS and WhatsApp messaging, and expanding reach and impact through on-the-ground activations facilitated by the Digital Sakhi program, ensuring information reaches even the most remote communities. In addition, the Company will effectively utilise LTF's established risk awareness mascot, 'Sachet Kumar,' and its widely recognised campaign tagline, 'Jaankar Baniye Savdhaan Rahiye,' to deliver crucial messages on financial fraud prevention in a memorable and impactful way. LTF will also employ visually engaging comic strips to illustrate complex fraud scenarios and prevention techniques in an easy-to-understand format; publishing informative articles that provide detailed explanations of specific financial topics, offering valuable resources for those seeking deeper knowledge; and developing dynamic and informative videos to enhance understanding of complex financial concepts through clear visuals and concise explanations. L & T Finance Ltd. (LTF) ( ) formerly known as L & T Finance Holdings Ltd., (LTFH) is a leading Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), offering a range of financial products and services. Headquartered in Mumbai, the Company has been rated 'AAA' -- the highest credit rating for NBFCs -- by four leading rating agencies. It has also received leadership scores and ratings by global and national Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) rating providers for its sustainability performance. The Company has been certified as a Great Place To Work® and has also won many prestigious awards for its flagship CSR project - "Digital Sakhi"- which focuses on women's empowerment and digital and financial inclusion. Under Right to Win, being in the 'right businesses' has helped the Company become one of the leading financiers in key Retail products. The Company is focused on creating a top-class, digitally enabled, Retail finance company as part of the Lakshya 2026 plan. The goal is to move the emphasis from product focus to customer focus and establish a robust Retail portfolio with quality assets, thus creating a Fintech@Scale while keeping ESG at the core. Fintech@Scale is one of the pillars of the Company's strategic roadmap - Lakshya 2026. The Company has around 2.6 Crore customer database, which is being leveraged to cross-sell, up-sell, and identify new customers.
The Wire
08-07-2025
- Business
- The Wire
L&T Finance Ltd. Launches a Comprehensive Financial Awareness Drive
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India (NewsVoir) L&T Finance Ltd. (LTF), one of the leading Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) in the country, has launched a comprehensive financial awareness drive aimed at empowering diverse communities across India. The initiative will deliver vital information to a wide spectrum of target groups, ensuring that diverse populations have the knowledge and tools to navigate financial decisions confidently and securely. LTF will specifically focus on reaching and benefiting rural women, senior citizens, both rural and urban youth, self-employed individuals, salaried professionals, and students with this initiative. The campaign will address a broad range of essential financial topics, providing practical guidance and promoting responsible financial behaviour. Key themes include RBI-mandated customer rights, account operation guidelines, and loan management education amongst others. Furthermore, the Company will promote essential aspects such as safeguarding digital banking and online transactions, especially in rural communities, and combating digital fraud. Mr. Raju Dodti, Chief Operating Officer at LTF, said, "At L&T Finance Ltd., we recognise the critical importance of financial literacy in empowering individuals and building a financially secure society. This initiative reflects our commitment to providing accessible and practical knowledge across diverse communities, enabling them to navigate the evolving financial landscape with confidence and resilience. By leveraging a multi-channel approach and engaging content, we aim to reach out to about 6.5 Crore individuals so they can make informed decisions and protect themselves from frauds.' To maximise the reach and effectiveness of the initiative, LTF will employ a strategic multi-channel approach, integrating owned and digital platforms with community engagement. This will involve establishing a dedicated online page for financial literacy on the corporate website, deploying timely awareness campaigns through push and in-app notifications, engaging diverse audiences through targeted and interactive social media content, delivering concise and actionable information directly to customers via SMS and WhatsApp messaging, and expanding reach and impact through on-the-ground activations facilitated by the Digital Sakhi program, ensuring information reaches even the most remote communities. In addition, the Company will effectively utilise LTF's established risk awareness mascot, 'Sachet Kumar,' and its widely recognised campaign tagline, 'Jaankar Baniye Savdhaan Rahiye,' to deliver crucial messages on financial fraud prevention in a memorable and impactful way. LTF will also employ visually engaging comic strips to illustrate complex fraud scenarios and prevention techniques in an easy-to-understand format; publishing informative articles that provide detailed explanations of specific financial topics, offering valuable resources for those seeking deeper knowledge; and developing dynamic and informative videos to enhance understanding of complex financial concepts through clear visuals and concise explanations. About L&T Finance Ltd. (LTF) L&T Finance Ltd. (LTF) ( ) formerly known as L&T Finance Holdings Ltd., (LTFH) is a leading Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), offering a range of financial products and services. Headquartered in Mumbai, the Company has been rated 'AAA' — the highest credit rating for NBFCs — by four leading rating agencies. It has also received leadership scores and ratings by global and national Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) rating providers for its sustainability performance. The Company has been certified as a Great Place To Work® and has also won many prestigious awards for its flagship CSR project – 'Digital Sakhi'- which focuses on women's empowerment and digital and financial inclusion. Under Right to Win, being in the 'right businesses' has helped the Company become one of the leading financiers in key Retail products. The Company is focused on creating a top-class, digitally enabled, Retail finance company as part of the Lakshya 2026 plan. The goal is to move the emphasis from product focus to customer focus and establish a robust Retail portfolio with quality assets, thus creating a Fintech@Scale while keeping ESG at the core. Fintech@Scale is one of the pillars of the Company's strategic roadmap - Lakshya 2026. The Company has around 2.6 Crore customer database, which is being leveraged to cross-sell, up-sell, and identify new customers. LinkedIn: Instagram: YouTube: X: Facebook: (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Newsvoir and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.).
