Digital Didi Changing Mindsets, Practices and Narratives
“In the village of Ajjipura, Karnataka, Akhil Pasha’s Smartpur-Spoke Centre revolutionised rural life by providing essential services, with his role as a Bank Correspondent of SBI, particularly helping individuals like Girish secure vital insurance coverage, saving them time and money while promoting financial inclusion in rural India.”
In the village of Ajjipura, Karnataka, Mr. Akhil Pasha, a social entrepreneur, had a vision to bring essential governance, financial, educational, and health services closer to rural residents. His centre brought these services closer to people in the village. This made a big difference in the lives of many villagers
One of the most remarkable aspects of Mr. Pasha’s initiative was his role as a Bank Correspondent of the State Bank of India (SBI). His dedication to providing essential financial services, particularly enrolling people in life insurance schemes, had a profound impact on the lives of his fellow villagers.
Mr. Girish, a 25-year-old resident of Kurubaradoddi Village, not far from Ajjipura. Mr. Girish had long aspired to secure a life insurance policy for himself but faced a significant challenge – access to essential financial services. The nearest SBI branch was located in Basappanadoddi village, a considerable distance away. His attempts to visit the bank resulted in daunting crowds and empty hands, wasting precious days and agricultural income.
Mr. Girish’s fortune changed when he heard about Smartpur Ajjipura Spoke Centre. He decided to give it a try, and to his delight, Akhil welcomed him with open arms. He guided Girish through the process of enrolling in two essential insurance schemes – Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyothi Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY). What made the experience even better was that Akhil offered his services for free, since he would receive commission charges from SBI.
Girish’s decision to visit the Smartpur Ajjipura Spoke Centre proved to be a game-changer. He not only secured valuable insurance coverage but also saved precious time and money. He shared, “I wasted four days trying to get insurance from the bank, losing out on my daily agricultural earnings of 400 rupees per day. Thanks to Mr. Akhil Pasha, I received insurance on the same day and could return to earning my livelihood as an agricultural laborer.”
The story of Girish and his positive experience at the Spoke Centre showcases the immense value of community-driven initiatives and the impact they can have on rural populations. Akhil’s dedication to providing essential financial services has empowered individuals like Girish to secure their financial future without the hassles of travelling long distances or facing overcrowded banks.
Smartpur, an initiative of Digital Empowerment Foundation and Nokia, has set up such centres across India, making a significant difference in the lives of those they serve. They are fostering financial inclusion and resilience in rural communities.
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