How L&T Finance’s Digital Sakhi Program Is Revolutionizing Rural Empowerment

L&T Finance Ltd. (LTF), a significant Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) in the financial services industry, is a model example of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). LTF’s creative ‘Digital Sakhi’ initiative has helped more than 42 lakh individuals in several localities.

Established in the midst of the 2017 digital storm, this innovative project has spread its roots, traversing the lush terrain of seven distinct states: Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Odisha, Karnataka, and Kerala. Led by a formidable army of 1,370 skilled Digital Sakhis, its mission is to spread financial and digital literacy throughout the rural communities.

Apurva Rathod, the esteemed Company Secretary and Chief Sustainability Officer at LTF, beams with pride as she highlights the program’s numerous accomplishments and emphasizes the crucial role the Digital Sakhis have played in fostering community empowerment and bridging the gap in access to governmental schemes. During the fiscal year 2023–24, these enormous efforts have, in part, empowered nearly 11 lakh rural hamlets and spurred the emergence of 2,400 female entrepreneurs.

The genuine cornerstone of LTF, the Digital Sakhi initiative, provides rural women with the tools they need to educate their communities about Digital and Financial Literacy (DFL). This program, like a protecting mother, teaches rural women the sacred skills of DFL, leadership, and technology. It is in line with the sacred ideals of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5. Often referred to as “Digital Sakhis,” these fearless women are armed with potent mobile tablets that are loaded with DFL modules. Furthermore, the program provides support to female entrepreneurs through the two pillars of upskilling and company growth training.

In the budgetary crisis of 2023–2024, 400 new Sakhis were inducted into the sacred annals of Uttar Pradesh (Gorakhpur), Bihar (Supaul), Tamil Nadu (Madurai), and West Bengal (Murshidabad) under the auspices of LTF.

The adoption rate of digital payment models, which is 12 percent, among the residents of these towns is evidence of the program’s effectiveness. These actions strengthen the cashless economy and herald in a new era of increased financial inclusion.

In conclusion, L&T Finance’s Digital Sakhi program is a powerful force pushing rural communities toward the utopian beaches of empowerment and prosperity. It is a towering monolith in the pantheon of sustainable development.