Dimapur, Jan. 21: Nagaland State Social Welfare Board (NSSWB), NMDFC, SRCW & PSK in collaboration with NABARD and Financial Institutes supported under Financial Implication Forum (FIF), organised Financial Literacy Camp at Regimental School Auditorium, Thizama, 4th NAP, Battalion, on January 20.
Secretary & Mission Director, Daisy Mezhur while delivering the Keynote address encouraged the women that it is time that women should actively participate in economic development to empower self and to take advantage of all the participating financial institutions who are keen to support.
Vekhosa Ckg, Commandant, 4th NAP Battalion, Thizama thanked the organisers for taking the initiative reaching out to the grassroot. He also encouraged the participants to be committed and sincere in the endeavours they would be ensuring through the support of the financial institutions.
Saran Kumar Chetri, Manager, UCO Bank, shared on the importance of having a bank account and various benefits linked with it including the insurance policies on health, accident etc.
Seikhao Sitlhou, Chief Manager, SBI and Lead Bank Manager of Kohima District, shared his concern to be cautious of sharing account details and risks associated with it. He also shared instances of many North Eastern people being easily deceived and conned.
Bendang Aier, AGM, NABARD, highlighted various schemes and processes to avail them particularly the financial support, loan facilities, which if properly channelized, can improve the quality of life. He also emphasised on the importance of digital payment and adopting cashless banking processes which will save time, energy, money and most importantly ensure transparency while availing scholarship, insurance, pension benefits and other schemes. Further, he introduced the benefits of forming Joint Liability Groups (JLG) under NABARD.
Information about Women Helpline (181) and Childline (1098) was introduced by Visekolie Khate, and Asilie Sorhie respectively.
The programme was chaired by Vekhwüsalü Dawhuo, Supervisor- Women Helpline while Wete invoked God’s blessings and vote of thanks by Asalie Kruse, Programme Manager of NSSWB. The participants included women from the village and wives of the police personnel.
A similar programme was conducted by North East Network (NEN) with Nagaland State Cooperative Bank (NSCB) and NABARD, supported under FIF and managed by NABARD, on January 20, at Pfutsero Town.
During the programme, resource person, Imsunaro, DDM, NABARD Phek, highlighted about the mission of NABARD and various activities it undertakes for rural people and rural development. While deliberating on digital financial literacy, she emphasized on cashless transactions, savings and Joint Liability Groups (JLGs).
She informed that the government is introducing a cashless economy, therefore, she said it is crucial for all to have bank accounts as inclusion in the financial institutions will be difficult in the future.
She also elaborated on difference between Self help Groups (SHGs) and JLGs, in number of membership composition and the advantage of forming JLGs so as to avail various financial services from the bank.
Leudi Zeliang, ABM, NSCB Pfutsero, who is also the resource person shared about the banking system and its importance in the current context and future prospect. He assured the participants about the availability and readiness of the bank to help and assist the people so that both can grow together.
Altogether 52 women participants from the villages of Lasumi, Zapami, Leshemi, Mesulumi, Sakraba and Pfutsero Town attended the programme.
NEN works with women farmers, vendors and weavers in Phek, Kohima and Dimapur districts, to facilitate women’s access to their rights and entitlements. Financial inclusion is one of the issues that NEN has been promoting and advocating for.