Launch of the Digital Sakhi Programme of SARVAM by Governor of Tamil Nadu

On June 4, 2019, Honourable Governor of Tamil Nadu, Thiru Banwarilal Purohit, inaugurated the Digital Sakhi programme of L&T Financial Services being implemented by Sri Aurobindo Rural & Village Action & Movement (SARVAM) of Sri Aurobindo Society in all the 20 villages under the project.

SARVAM, Puducherry, in association with L&T Financial Services, Mumbai, has started to work and implement a programme called ‘Digital Sakhi’ in Vanur taluk of Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu. The launch of this programme took place at an event organized in Chennai. The Governor of Tamil Nadu Thiru Purohit not only inaugurated the programme, but also presided as the Chief Guest. Nearly a 150 organizers and guests, including Dr. Natchiar Director–Emeritus, Aravind Eye Care System; Shri Vijaybhai, Member Executive–Administration and Finance, Sri Aurobindo Society; Mr. K. Senthil and Mrs. S. Chitra, Directors–SARVAM; Mr. Manoj Shenoy, Chief Executive of L&T Wealth Management & Group Head of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR); Mr. Sunil Prabhune L&T Chief Executive of Rural Finance Authorities and Group Head–Digital, IT & Analytics; Ms. Richa Pant, L&T Group Head–CSR and many other executives from L&T Financial Services; coordinators–Digital Sakhi and SARVAM women entrepreneurs, village coordinators and digital champions, participated in this event.

The Governor, during his presidential address, said that the ‘Digital Sakhi’ programme is absolutely essential for the women, especially rural women, and conveyed his best wishes for implementing this programme successfully. The Governor also distributed specially designed, software-loaded computer tablets to 5 Digital Sakhis during this event. The programme aims to create awareness on Digital Financial Literacy among the rural populace, especially the women.

Initially, Digital Sakhi programme will be implemented in 30 villages of Vanur taluk. The fundamental target of this programme is to provide financial awareness and teach simple concepts for digital financial literacy, savings, and safe digital money transaction. Furthermore, the programme will discover and help more than 500 women entrepreneurs to learn about in-depth digital money transactions for their businesses. Endeavors will also be taken to assist them to increase their income. To execute Digital Sakhi programme effectively, 50 Digital Sakhis were chosen from the villages in which SARVAM is working. In the coming weeks, appropriate training will be given to all the Digital Sakhis and with the assistance of computer tablets, awareness will be created for all the villages of SARVAM in the coming months.