HCCB to train 2,000 women in financial & digital literacy; lead community projects in 6 villages in West Bengal
Kolkata – Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB), one of India’s leading FMCG companies, has joined hands with the Y4D foundation to provide financial and digital literacy training to train close to 2,000 women in Siliguri, West Bengal.
The training will be spread across 6 villages: Dulupara; Bakshipara; Baruapara; Cheherapara, Raninagar and Bamunpara. The company also announced various community development initiatives in these villages. The initiatives were announced in the presence of Shri Shashi Panja, Honourable Minister-Of-State, (IC), Child Development and Women Development & Social Welfare Department, Govt of West Bengal, Mr. Khageswar Roy, MLA – Raninagar; Ms Mahua Gope, President – Trinamool Congress District President, Jalpaiguri Ms. Pranayeeta Das Zilla Parishad Karmadakshya (Education and Culture) Jalpaiguri District.
The financial literacy training will cover fundamental concepts like Banking Basics, Account Opening procedures, Unified Payments Interface (UPI) training, Investment Guidance, Net Banking, and information on various Government Schemes for women such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Sukanya Sam Riddhi Yojana Nari Shakti, etc. On the other hand, the digital literacy component will encompass topics such as Mobile Banking, Digital Market Linkage, and Cyber Safety and Security to equip these women with the necessary tools to succeed in the digital era. The training will be conducted in a classroom-based format in identified locations nationwide. The beneficiaries will be identified and trained in groups based on their interests, needs, and current digital and financial literacy levels. The effort is aimed at promoting a more concentrated and efficient learning experience.
The company will also usher in transformative developmental projects across the 6 villages in the areas of access to clean drinking water, sustainable agricultural practices, plastic waste management, Nagrik Seva Kendras (NSK), healthcare, solar-powered street lights, sanitation facilities for girls, and education infrastructure.
Speaking about the initiatives, Shri Shashi Panja, Honourable Minister-Of-State, Child Development and Women Development & Social Welfare Department, Govt of West Bengal, said, “I am a firm believer that the growth of industries and communities should be closely linked, and HCCB’s initiatives in West Bengal strongly echo this sentiment. I dream of a West Bengal where every person, irrespective of their gender or background, is empowered with the right tools and opportunities. By prioritizing financial and digital literacy for our women, these initiatives will not only help in fulfilling individual aspirations but will also be a significant step forward in our state’s socio-economic journey.”
Mr Himanshu Priyadarshi, Chief Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability Officer remarked, “We understand the crucial role industries play in shaping the socio-economic fabric of the society. Through our extensive upskilling programs, our primary objective is to bridge the gender disparity in financial and digital literacy. Additionally, our community development projects highlight our unwavering resolve to foster holistic development. As we move forward, our focus remains on creating a deep-rooted and sustainable difference in the community, aligning our efforts with the hopes and dreams of its people “