India CSR News Network
CHENNAI: Equitas Small Finance Bank, the first private sector Bank in Tamil Nadu post-Independence today felicitated its disable customers for their winning spirit that led to better life despite being physically impaired. Internal staffs like branch managers and divisional heads were also felicitated for reaching out to 17869 number of these customers of which 3459 are visually impaired to build their future. The event was organized on the account of World’s Disability Day.
Equitas Development Initiatives Trust (EDIT) firmly believes that disability is just in the mind and there is no hurdle you can cross till you want to really achieve something. Equitas while forming women’s group consciously focuses on disabled women for inclusive growth.
About 18 disabled women who have taken micro loan from Equitas took part in the function. Some of them narrated how Equitas helped them through micro loan as well as skill training to increase their income and build their confidence.
These disabled women have overcome their disability by setting up their own shops or have used this loan amount for buying stocks for their enterprises. Manimegalai, a disabled person, narrated how the skill training on Phenol making, liquid soap making provided by Equitas Gyan Kendra helped her to start earning an additional income of rupees four thousand from home itself.
The felicitation ceremony was concluded in presence of John Alex, Program Director, Equitas Development Initiatives Trust; Dr. C.K. Gariyali, IAS, Chief Guest for the evening; S.P. Mathur IPS (Retd) Trustee; M.B. Nirmal, Trustee; Dr. Deepak Disabled Person Association and Ms. Sundari, Communication Officer, HCL Foundation. The heartfelt and beautiful vote of thanks for the attendees had been delivered by B. Mohanan, Head-Business, Equitas.
All India achievers for 2016-2017 are Hospet, HD Kote, and Uthiramerur, whereas Tamil Nadu winners were Uthiramerur, Ashok Nagar and Kallakurichi. An award for reaching out to the transgender community was reserved for Ondipudur Branch for their outstanding effort to look over gender biasness and spread the knowledge related to microfinance. Divisional managers from Chennai, Karnataka and Mayiladuthurai were also felicitated for their commendable efforts of reaching out to the PWD workers.
P.N.Vasudevan, MD & CEO, Equitas Small Finance Bank in his special address reiterated that, Equitas Development Initiative Trust addresses a larger spectrum of requirements of low income families including 7 schools for children, skill training, placement for unemployed, rehabilitation of homeless, health services to the low income families. Equitas Group is committed to contribute 5% of its annual profits to this Trust.
Equitas Small finance bank previously known as Equitas Finance Ltd started its operations on September 5, 2016. It offers a range of banking and financial products that address the requirements of all customer segments. As of June 30, 2016, the consolidated AUM is about 6,500 Crs out of which half is microfinance, 25% used commercial vehicle finance and rest MSE. Equitas Small Finance Bank will have 412 banking branches across 11 states by the end of the financial year 2016-17.
