NEW DELHI (India CSR): In a major step toward bridging financial literacy gaps and empowering rural communities, DBS Foundation has announced a new collaboration with Haqdarshak Empowerment Solutions Pvt. Ltd. (HESPL). With an investment of SGD 5.1 million, this initiative will provide financial education and social security awareness to 500,000 underserved individuals, including 50,000 nano entrepreneurs across India.
The program builds upon DBS’s larger commitment of SGD 1 billion over the next decade to uplift low-income and marginalized communities. Through on-the-ground training, digital literacy workshops, and social welfare assistance, the initiative seeks to create long-term financial resilience and economic self-sufficiency.
Addressing the Financial Knowledge Gap in Rural India
Many people in rural India struggle to access financial services due to a lack of awareness, accessibility, and support. This collaboration aims to close that gap by providing individuals with the knowledge and tools needed to access financial services, government welfare schemes, and safeguard themselves from financial fraud.
The initiative will focus on rural regions across Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha, ensuring that underserved communities receive essential financial education and resources.
Empowering Communities with Hands-On Training
The program will feature dedicated field teams, including Haqdarshak’s trained female agents, who will conduct:
- Digital and financial literacy workshops to help individuals understand banking, savings, credit management, and investment basics.
- Entitlement screening sessions to help eligible beneficiaries, especially women, elderly citizens, and small-scale entrepreneurs, enroll in government welfare schemes.
- Anti-scam awareness training to protect rural communities from financial fraud and exploitation.
Additionally, the Haqdarshak Yojana Card, a QR-coded digital access tool, will help beneficiaries track their social entitlement profiles and receive updates on scheme eligibility.
DBS Employees Join Hands for a Greater Impact
To amplify the program’s reach, DBS employees will participate as volunteers under the ‘People of Purpose’ movement, conducting community sessions and raising awareness in collaboration with Haqdarshak’s team.
Azmat Habibulla, Managing Director and Head – Group Strategic Marketing and Communications, DBS Bank India, emphasized the initiative’s importance:
“DBS Foundation has always been committed to uplifting lives and livelihoods. Our partnership with Haqdarshak strengthens our mission to go beyond banking and empower communities through financial inclusion. By tackling real knowledge gaps, we aim to create sustainable pathways out of poverty and drive meaningful change across India.”
A Legacy of Impact: DBS and Haqdarshak’s Continued Collaboration
DBS Foundation has supported Haqdarshak since 2018, funding multiple initiatives aimed at financial literacy and social welfare access. The impact so far:
- 10,000+ digital and financial literacy sessions conducted
- Over 2 lakh beneficiaries trained in digital and financial skills
- More than 4 lakh individuals assisted in availing government welfare schemes
- 90% of trained participants were women
Building on this success, the new program aims to further scale its impact and empower communities at a much larger scale.
Empowering Underserved Communities for the Future
Aniket Doegar, Co-Founder and CEO of Haqdarshak, highlighted the program’s transformative potential:
“As we navigate an increasingly fast-paced world, it is crucial to ensure that no one is left behind. This program will provide vulnerable communities with the skills and confidence needed to access financial and social security benefits. DBS Foundation has been a steadfast partner, and their continued support enables us to scale our efforts and drive real impact.”
A Step Toward Financial Resilience Across Asia
This initiative is part of the DBS Foundation’s broader strategy to promote financial literacy and resilience across Asia, with a strong emphasis on supporting underprivileged and ageing populations.
By advocating for Businesses For Impact, DBS continues to champion enterprises that combine profit with purpose, integrating social impact-driven initiatives into its core business philosophy.
With long-term financial empowerment at the heart of this collaboration, DBS Foundation and Haqdarshak are paving the way for a more financially inclusive and secure future for rural India.
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