News Desk, News Nation 360 : The DBS Foundation has unveiled a new initiative to promote financial inclusion, with an emphasis on rural India, in collaboration with Haqdarshak Empowerment Solutions Pvt. Ltd. (HESPL). The initiative is a component of DBS Bank's broader pledge, made in 2023, to invest SGD 1 billion over the following ten years to enhance the lives and standard of living of those who are poor and disadvantaged. The DBS Foundation will contribute SGD 5.1 million to support the initiative, which aims to reach 500,000 beneficiaries nationwide. India's rural population suffers from limited access to information about and utilization of financial services and social welfare entitlements. A DBS-funded program helps in this manner by providing resources and support for enabling rural communities to understand financial concepts, products, and how to avail of social welfare schemes. It will focus on the rural areas of Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha. The dedicated field teams, including the female agents of Haqdarshak, will provide training on digital and financial literacy along with entitlement screening sessions. Enrollment of eligible beneficiaries, especially women, elderly people, and nano-entrepreneurs such as street vendors, into relevant social welfare schemes would be prioritized. Anti-scam training will be given to participants as well, against financial fraud. A QR-coded Haqdarshak Yojana Card shall enable easy online access to social entitlement profiles for beneficiaries with updated information on the schemes that the beneficiary is eligible for. DBS employees will actively engage through their 'People of Purpose' staff volunteer movement to sensitize and engage in community sessions with the Haqdarshak team. Azmat Habibulla, Managing Director and Head of Group Strategic Marketing and Communications at DBS Bank India stated that since its founding over ten years ago, the DBS Foundation has worked to improve lives and livelihoods. It is particularly significant to be able to start a new initiative with Haqdarshak, whom they have supported as a Business For Impact since 2018. DBS Bank is more determined than ever to uphold its mission-driven vision and spur change after completing three decades in India. They will continue their joint mission with Haqdarshak to go beyond banking and use financial inclusion to strengthen communities. They can facilitate pathways out of poverty and have a lasting impact to help create a better society for future generations by addressing actual knowledge gaps with focused solutions.
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