SBI Streamlines Access For Masses, Introduces Aadhaar-Based Enrolment For Social Security Schemes

* Empowering Financial Inclusion through technology-driven innovation

The State Bank of India, the country’s largest public sector bank, has taken a significant step towards enhancing accessibility and convenience for its customers. In a strategic move aimed at leveraging technology for greater financial inclusion, Chairman Dinesh Khara, unveiled an innovative CSP functionality that enables hassle-free enrolment for social security schemes through Aadhaar.

With this pioneering feature, customers visiting Customer Service Points (CSPs) will need only their Aadhaar to enroll in pivotal social security schemes i.e. Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) and Atal Pension Yojana (APY). The functionality does not require customers to carry passbooks to the CSP outlet for enrolment. SBI's advance system simplifies and expedites the enrolment process making it faster and more convenient than ever before.

The driving force behind this innovation is SBI's commitment to utilizing technology to strengthen its offerings and extend the benefits of crucial schemes to the masses. By adopting this streamlined approach, the bank aims to uplift the financial inclusion ecosystem through unique solutions that directly impact the lives of marginalized and deprived sections of the society.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Dinesh Khara, Chairman SBI emphasized, "Our goal is to empower every stratum of the society by removing the barriers that hinder access to financial security. This technology driven enhancement is a testament to SBI's commitment to improve financial inclusivity and social welfare through digitization."

This dynamic step is expected to significantly enhance the coverage of social security schemes, ensuring that the advantages of these schemes are leveraged by the ones who need them the most. By reducing paperwork and simplifying processes, SBI aims to champion customer convenience and contributing to the larger goal of a digitally empowered and financially secure India.

About State Bank of India:

State Bank of India is the largest commercial bank in terms of assets, deposits, branches, customers, and employees. It is also the largest mortgage lender in the country which has so far fulfilled the home buying dreams of over 30 lakh Indian families. The home loan portfolio of the bank has crossed Rs. 6.53 lakh crore. As of June 2023, the bank has a deposit base of over Rs. 45.31 lakh crore with CASA ratio of 42.88% and advances of more than Rs. 33 lakh crore. SBI commands a market share of 33.4% and 19.5% in home loans and auto loans respectively. SBI has the largest network of 22,405 branches and 65,627 ATMs / ADWMs in India with 78,370 BC outlets. The number of customers using internet banking and mobile banking stand at 117 million and 64 million respectively. With SBI’s digital strategy right on track – the bank witnessed 63% of new savings accounts opened through the integrated digital and lifestyle platform YONO in FY23. SBI observed 23,400 new digital savings bank accounts being opened per day via YONO in the quarter ended June 2023. YONO, which has more than 6.36 crore registered users, witnessed more than 1 crore average daily logins in Q1 FY24. In terms of digital lending, the bank disbursed pre-approved personal loans worth Rs. 5,428 crore through YONO in the same period. SBI also has the highest number of followers on Facebook and Twitter amongst all banks worldwide.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor's iCARE Initiative Transforms School And Community On International Youth Day 2023

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) marked an important milestone with the celebration of the 27th edition of its impactful iCARE initiative on International Youth Day. The endeavour underscored TKM's unwavering dedication to sustainable community development, striving to create an enhanced learning environment for the students from Government High School, Bidadi. TKM employees and their families joined, in a collective effort to support to this noble cause. The primary objective of the activity was a comprehensive revamp of the school by refining its infrastructure to significantly augment the educational experience of the students.

The event was graced by Deputy Commissioner & District Magistrate Dr Avinash Menon Rajendran, IAS, Govt of Karnataka, in the presence of senior officials from TKM.

TKM's passionate volunteers embarked on an overhaul of the school that encompassed exteriors, corridors, classrooms, and metal grills. Notably, they also championed a plastic-free environment within the school premises, with a focus on greener surroundings, the volunteers planted saplings thereby contributing to healthier atmosphere for learning.

The collaboration formed the cornerstone of this transformational effort, as TKM partnered with the Education Department and School Administration to ensure the longevity and maintenance of the upgraded facilities. The Bidadi Municipal Corporation support also complemented the effort in executing a comprehensive cleaning operation, fostering an environment conducive to learning.

Expressing his thoughts on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner & District Magistrate Dr. Avinash Menon Rajendran, IAS said, "It's truly heartening to witness the remarkable efforts of TKM through their iCARE initiative. The transformation of the Government High School in Bidadi stands as a shining example of their commitment to community development and education. This collaborative endeavour not only enhances the  infrastructure but also underlines the importance of environmental consciousness thereby providing a good and hygienic learning environment for our children. Such initiatives resonate deeply with the values of progress and inclusivity that we prioritize in our district. I commend TKM for their impactful contributions to the society and being a beacon of positive change."

Speaking about the iCARE initiative, Mr. Vikram Gulati, Country Head and Executive Vice President, Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, “As we celebrate the 27th iCARE activity, we are deeply humbled by the collective spirit and energy that school children, key stakeholders, and our employees along with their families have brought to this noble cause. Through the iCARE initiative, we are not just transforming physical spaces, but also nurturing a culture of community engagement, symbolizing our commitment of creating a brighter future for the next generations. We will continue to focus our efforts on areas that require our intervention and work tirelessly towards building a better society.”

Since its inception in 2017, the iCARE initiative has witnessed a resounding response, with over 1,760 employees passionately engaging in more than 26 multifaceted endeavours. These encompass domains such as Education, Environment, Road Safety, Skill Development, Disaster Management, and providing support for special children. This collective endeavour has fostered transformative experiences, touching the lives of both employees and society at large. iCARE embodies TKM's vision of empowering and inspiring its employees to partake in endeavours, signifying their commitment to uplifting communities through impactful initiatives.

Bengaluru’s First Gold Bar Challenge By MMTC-PAMP

* The Gold Bar Challenge in captivated gold enthusiasts as they competed to remove a 5.7kg gold bar from a glass enclosure, showcasing their skills and aiming for the coveted prize. 

* Twelve winners were rewarded with MMTC-PAMP’s prestigious Banyan Tree 10 gm silver bar.  

MMTC-PAMP, India's only London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) Good Delivery gold & silver refinery, hosted the exciting Gold Bar Challenge at their MMTC-PAMP’s exclusive store a.k.a PVC (Purity Verification Centre) in Bengaluru. The event took place on Wednesday, Aug 23rd, at Ambedkar Veedhi, Bengaluru, Karnataka.  

MMTC-PAMP hosted the Gold Bar Challenge, an open event at their exclusive outlet, offering participants the chance to retrieve a 5.7-kilogram gold bar from a glass enclosure within the designated time limit. The event aimed to provide gold enthusiasts with an exciting opportunity to demonstrate their skills and win a coveted prize. Twelve winners, who completed the activity, received MMTC-PAMP's Banyan Tree 999.9 purity 10 gm silver bar, symbolizing longevity and fulfilment, featuring India's national tree. Safety and fairness were ensured by following rules and regulations throughout the event. 

Speaking about the event, Mr. Vikas Singh, Managing Director and CEO of MMTC-PAMP said, "MMTC-PAMP stores are destination stores which serve unique and distinctively crafted products in purest gold and silver. We’ve now taken this a step further by adding fun and excitement for our customers by providing them with a new distinctive and engaging experience, with our Gold Bar Challenge event. It is a testament to our commitment to add moments of joy for our customers who have always trusted us for their Gold & Silver needs. Our focus on offering cutting-edge products and unique experiences underscore our commitment to enhance customer engagement and satisfaction in a unique and fun manner. By fostering a healthy spirit of competition, we aim to build stronger connection with our customers and create a truly memorable experience for them." 

The success of the Gold Bar Challenge in Ghaziabad, Noida, Chennai, Hyderabad and now Bengaluru has paved the way for MMTC-PAMP to expand this unique event to other cities. Mr Vikas Singh added, "The gold bar challenge is a unique event that has rarely been witnessed in the Indian market and we are happy to announce that we will be bringing this event to the cities of Pune and Chandigarh as well in future" 

MMTC-PAMP, known for its commitment to providing high-quality, culturally diverse products to consumers, hosted this event at its one-stop-shop for any gold & silver needs. To ensure the product’s authenticity, each MMTC-PAMP product carries a unique number and comes packaged in a certified signed by an Assayer. Each gold and silver product bought from MMTC-PAMP offers a positive weight & purity balance, which guarantees that every coin or bar you buy weighs more than the listed weight, ensuring customers get the highest value for their investment. 

All products come with MMTC-PAMP’s stamp of authenticity and deliver on the promise of 999.9+ purity and are crafted to the highest standards using the latest Swiss technology. There is a wide variety of purest gold and silver products to choose from this season and one can purchase them from MMTC-PAMP’s exclusive stores, leading jeweller partners, online marketplaces like Amazon and Flipkart or directly from MMTC-PAMP’s website, shop.mmtcpamp.com. 

About MMTC PAMP: A joint venture between Switzerland-based bullion refinery, PAMP SA, and MMTC Ltd, a Miniratna and Government of India Undertaking. MMTC-PAMP is the only LBMA-accredited gold & silver good delivery refiner in India and is accepted across global commodity exchanges and central banks. The company seamlessly marries Swiss excellence with Indian insights. MMTC-PAMP India Pvt. Ltd. is internationally recognized as an industry leader in bringing global standards of excellence to the Indian precious metals industry. MMTC-PAMP has received several awards since its inception from local and global industry bodies for transparency and sustainability that it rigorously upholds in its sourcing, refining, and supply of precious metals in the Indian market. 

Glenmark and IADVL Release Special Cover in collaboration with Indian Postal Service Supporting Vitiligo Patients in India

* Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Partnered With IADVL To Release A Special Postal Stamp In Support Of Vitiligo Patients

* Initiative aims to raise awareness and combat stigma associated with the skin pigmentation disorder

* Winning artwork from a painting competition is featured on the commemorative postal stamp

 Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (Glenmark), a research-led, integrated, global pharmaceutical company, has joined forces with The Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists, and Leprologists (IADVL) to unveil a special commemorative postal stamp aimed at raising awareness and support for individuals living with vitiligo, a skin disorder that affects pigmentation.

Vitiligo, a condition characterized by the loss of skin pigmentation due to the malfunction or destruction of melanin-producing cells, impacts not only physical appearance but also psychological well-being. Despite its prevalence and impact, vitiligo often remains misunderstood, leading to societal stigmatization and prejudice. India is home to the highest rate of vitiligo cases globally, with one in ten individuals being affected by the condition.

In an effort to combat misinformation and promote acceptance, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals and IADVL conducted a unique painting competition named "Power of Paint and Brush" on World Vitiligo Day, June 25, 2023. The competition aimed to spotlight the significance of awareness, understanding, and treatment for vitiligo patients. Dermatologists from across the country participated, submitting over 100 entries that creatively portrayed the journey of patients with vitiligo and advocated for the importance of embracing diversity.

Dr. Naushin Ara from Jaipur SMS Medical College crafted the winning painting, titled “Colour of Thoughts.” The winning artwork has been transformed into a captivating commemorative postal stamp that will serve as a constant reminder of the significance of empathy, acceptance, and respect for those affected by vitiligo.

Alok Malik, President and Business Head, India Formulations, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd. said, "This initiative echoes Glenmark's core commitment to inclusivity and positive influence. Beyond medicines, we believe in shaping a better society through collaborations that enhance medical education and well-being. This collaboration underscores our steadfast dedication to fostering empathy and harmony, reaffirming our pledge to create a meaningful difference in people's lives."

IADVL spokesperson XX said, "We believe in the power of collective efforts to create awareness and acceptance. This commemorative stamp is a small but impactful step towards supporting vitiligo patients and promoting a more inclusive society."

"As partners in delivering meaningful messages, we are proud to contribute to this event that fosters awareness and compassion. This commemorative stamp carries the spirit of unity and education for vitiligo support, reflecting our dedication to impactful initiatives," said xx from Indian Postal Services.

A panel of judges, including Mr. Uday Parker, a Gold Medalist from JJ School of Arts, and key representatives from IADVL, meticulously reviewed the submissions to select the winning piece.

BMW Group India Announced The Appointment Of KUN Exclusive As Its Dealer Partner For Bengaluru.

After successful operations in Bengaluru since 2007, Navnit Motors has transferred its business and operations in Bengaluru to KUN Exclusive in pursuit of strategically bolstering its operations in Mumbai. Seamless business continuity will be ensured for existing BMW and MINI customers with complete understanding of their needs as the existing Sales and Service locations remains the same and existing employees will continue to work under the BMW Group banner.

Mr. Vikram Pawah, President, BMW Group India said, “I would like to thank Navnit Motors for their valuable contribution and unwavering commitment to BMW and MINI customers in Bengaluru. We recognize their accomplishments and wish them great success for future. Bengaluru is an important market for BMW Group India, and we are committed to serve our customers with best-in-class service. We are excited to appoint our trusted partner KUN Exclusive as the dealer partner in Bengaluru. Their knowledge of current trends in the luxury industry, attention to needs of our esteemed clientele and curation of bespoke experiences will be instrumental in creating a complete customer centric engagement.” 

Mr. Sharad Kachalia, Dealer Principal, Navnit Motors said, “BMW holds a special place for Navnit Motors and our journey has been rewarding and continues to be a memorable one. As we align to newer and more focused strategic growth vectors, Navnit Motors will concentrate on further growing its business operations in Mumbai. We now pass the baton in Bengaluru into the safe hands of KUN Exclusive. We would like to thank our customers for their loyalty and assure a smooth transition to KUN Exclusive. We also thank BMW Group India for their continuous support and close collaboration during this phase. We look forward to setting higher benchmarks in providing world class services to our discerning customers in Mumbai.”

The Bengaluru dealership is headed by Ms. Vasanthi Bhupati, Dealer Principal, KUN Exclusive. KUN Exclusive also represents BMW Group India with sales and service facilities in Tamil Nadu (Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai), Andhra Pradesh (Vijayawada, Vizag) and Telangana (Hyderabad).

Ms. Vasanthi Bhupati, Dealer Principal, KUN Exclusive said, “KUN Exclusive’s partnership with BMW Group India has flourished year on year and we are very proud of the growth we have achieved. With thriving business operations in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, establishing a new presence as the dealer partner in Karnataka is another step in building our legacy in the country. We thank BMW Group India for this opportunity and are excited to add another chapter of success to our story. We promise the same unparalleled services and luxurious experiences to BMW and MINI customers in Bengaluru they have always enjoyed and look forward to welcoming new ones to KUN Exclusive family.”

After the transfer of operations, KUN Exclusive will sell and service BMW, MINI and BMW Premium Selection vehicles as usual. 

Revolutionizing Agri-Food Dialogue: Zee 24 TAAS Set To Telecast Shetkari Parishad On August 26, 2023

Zee24 TAAS, Maharashtra's leading Marathi news channel, is set to captivate audiences with its most-awaited impactful Agri-Food Dialogue through the telecast of ‘Shetkari Parishad’ conclave, held in Pune. The telecast, scheduled for Saturday, August 26th, 2023, at 4 PM, promises to be a beacon of transformative dialogue and innovation in the fields of Agriculture and Food Processing.

With an unwavering commitment to fostering progress, Zee24 TAAS brought together leaders, experts, and stakeholders to discuss the key issues facing these critical industries. The Shetkari Parishad conclave not only highlighted the latest developments, opportunities, challenges, but also comprised of in-depth discussions focusing on the path forward for the agriculture and food processing sector.

The wide-spread viewers of Zee24 TAAS will be able to get a deeper understanding on the sector listening to the esteemed voices from various domains, including political leaders and industry experts. Among them, Shri Nana Patole, President of Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee, highlighted the need for enhanced budget provisions for agriculture, stating, "Even though India is known for agriculture, the budget provisions are sufficient enough and not planned in a strategized way.” Emphasizing on the importance of soil health, Shri Dhananjay Munde, Minister of Agriculture, Govt. of Maharashtra, also further stated, “Farmers need  to check the quality of soil that will eventually help them to determine the fertility for better harvest”

Speaking on the success of Shetkari Parishad, Nilesh Khare, Editor of Zee 24 TAAS, said, “The Shetkari Parishad is an agricultural renaissance that will echo in the annals of our history. It holds the power to shape a bright and progressive future for the agriculture industry. It is, in fact, a testament to our dedication to fostering impactful conversations that drive innovation and transformation within the sector.“

Abhay Ojha, CEO, Zee Media Corporation Limited, further added, “Our commitment to empowering the agriculture and food processing sector is resolute. The Shetkari Parishad serves as a cauldron of transformation, unifying the forward-thinkers, game-changers, and pathfinders who are scripting a new narrative for this critical sector."

Co-presented by  by Pitambari Nursery Franchise and Akkudas Trading, Shetkari Parishad’s  Tourism Partner was the Directorate of Tourism Maharashtra State, its Banking Partner was Buldhana Urban Cooperative Credit Society Ltd, its Associate Sponsors are Kanhaiya agro, Rajashree lottery, Quick start 24 Group, J.K.Hightek ops Ropvatika, Universal Biocon Pvt ltd, Vidharbha Irrigation system Pvt ltd, Dr.Bawaskar Technology(agro) pvt ltd and DYP Group, the Zee24 TAAS Shetkari Parishad has positioned itself as a catalyst for change in the agricultural landscape.

Zee Media Corporation Ltd, one of India's leading media companies, has a strong presence in the news and regional genres, with 16 news channels in seven different languages, reaching more than 528+ million viewers through its linear and digital properties.

Airtel Payments Bank, Frontier Markets And Mastercard Partner To Support 100,000 Women-Owned Small Businesses In India

* New initiative aims to unlock opportunities for women-owned small businesses by enabling access to tools, resources and networks

Airtel Payments Bank, Frontier Markets and the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth today announced the launch of She Leads Bharat:Udyam, an initiative to elevate 100,000 women-owned small businesses with resources, tools and opportunities to grow and diversify their incomes. The announcement was made at the Asia Inclusive Growth Forum, an event convening over 100 cross-sector leaders for candid, impact-driven dialogues on advancing inclusive growth in India and across the global south.

In this first phase, this initiative will enable 100,000 women-owned small businesses in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh to learn and earn via Frontier Markets’ proprietary, flexible Meri-Saheli platform. 10,000 of these women small business owners will be further enabled to grow their business by becoming Airtel Payments Bank Business Correspondents (BCs) and unlock additional revenue streams. This is aligned with the Bank’s vision of ‘Empowering India with Accessible and Inclusive Banking.’

“Taking our commitment forward to empower women in rural India to embark on their entrepreneurial endeavours, we are collaborating with Frontier Markets and Mastercard on She Leads Bharat:Udyam,” said Anubrata Biswas, MD&CEO, Airtel Payments Bank. “We take pride to welcome them on board as Business Correspondents, joining hands with our existing network of 50,000 women BCs who play a vital role in taking banking and financial services to underserved rural pockets of the country. We look forward to our journey in building a financially inclusive economy.”

The partners envision She Leads Bharat:Udyam helping to expand access to financial services, delivering a new blueprint for serving rural markets and extending women-owned small businesses with support tailored to their needs.

“More women entrepreneurs are coming into India’s workforce and adding energy to the economy. When these business owners can access credit and digital tools, they can keep expanding and become more resilient. That’s good for their families, employees and communities. That’s what inclusive growth is all about,” said Ari Sarker, President Asia Pacific, Mastercard.

Women-owned small businesses face challenges that can often prevent them from achieving their full potential. In India, women-owned micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) constitute 20% of all MSMEs yet receive only 5% of the total financing provided by public-sector banks.[1] They are often less digitized[2] and receive less training to build their businesses[3]. However, when properly supported, women entrepreneurs are more likely to hire women, more likely to repay credit and more likely to share increased income with their families and communities, serving as core drivers of inclusive economic growth.

She Leads Bharat:Udyam is a first-of-its-kind initiative that brings together the private sector, social enterprise, and philanthropy in the banking, financial services, and insurance sector to demonstrate a digital-first model designed to unlock ways for women-owned small businesses to increase their incomes. Frontier Markets will implement the program and leverage its cadre of Saral Jeevan Sahelis—women entrepreneurs—to identify and onboard women-owned small businesses onto their Meri-Saheli platform. In partnership with Airtel Payments Bank, Frontier Markets will onboard eligible women-owned small businesses as business correspondents and leverage its Saheli network and platform to increase product and brand awareness and generate leads to maximize their earning opportunities. In addition, these women-owned small businesses will get access to a suite of tools, resources, and market services available in the Meri-Saheli ecosystem, offering them ways to learn how to run a successful business and earn more revenue.

“Frontier Markets has built a technology platform investing in the power of women as driving forces for commerce in rural India. Thanks to the leadership of Airtel Payments Bank and support from Mastercard, we can leverage our 10 years of efforts to reach a new level of scale, truly combining the best of global leaders' expertise and resources to support our efforts to deepen the impact that rural women have in building thriving rural markets in India,” said Ajaita Shah, Founder & CEO, Frontier Markets. “This partnership strengthens and enables social enterprises like us to thrive and implement our goals at scale.” 

She Leads Bharat:Udyam will be funded by the Mastercard Impact Fund, and Mastercard will bring the catalytic capital and global expertise of its Center for Inclusive Growth to unlock tools, resources, and networks for the women-owned small businesses.

Airtel Payments Bank’s ground force and Frontier Markets’ Sahelis are already working in the field to bring this partnership to life and identify the first tranche of women-owned small businesses eligible for the program.