Chandigarh - The Social Responsibility Club of Students at the School of Commerce (SOC), NMIMS Chandigarh, known as "Prayatna," partnered with Union Bank of India for the second edition of its Financial Inclusion Drive, held on campus from March 20 to 27, 2024. This collaboration follows the success of last year's initiative with the State Bank of India.
The drive commenced on March 20, 2024, with a seminar on Financial Inclusion led by members of the Prayatna Club. Senior representatives from Union Bank of India shared insights into various financial schemes offered by both the government and the bank. The seminar aimed to educate students, faculty, staff, and workers of NMIMS Chandigarh about these schemes.
During the seminar, it was observed that the 'Atal Pension Yojana (APY)' was underutilized among the staff, highlighting a need for greater awareness. Additionally, the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) was introduced to many attendees who were previously unaware of its benefits. Other schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) were also discussed comprehensively. A Q&A session concluded the seminar, addressing queries from attendees and encouraging interested staff to participate in the upcoming Financial Inclusion Camp.
In the interim, student volunteers engaged with workers and staff members to assess their financial inclusion status using a questionnaire.
The drive concluded on March 27, 2024, wherein Prayatna organized the Financial Inclusion Camp in collaboration with Union Bank of India. The camp aimed to facilitate staff members and workers in opening bank accounts and accessing government-sponsored schemes related to financial inclusion.
Union Bank of India dispatched a two-member team along with necessary resources to campus to assist staff in opening bank accounts and enrolling in social security schemes provided by the government.
The Financial Inclusion Camp was met with enthusiastic participation, with 35 individuals attending. A total of 23 bank accounts were initiated on the spot, while 20 individuals availed themselves of various government and bank schemes to enhance their financial well-being. Attendees also benefited from one-on-one financial counseling sessions with Union Bank officials.
The Financial Inclusion Camp marks a significant step towards empowering the staff members of NMIMS Chandigarh with essential financial knowledge and access to government schemes, fostering a culture of financial security and well-being.