New Delhi, Sept 17, 2024: HDFC Bank has set a goal to increase the income of 5 lakh marginal farmers earning less than ₹60,000 annually by 2025, as part of its corporate social responsibility initiative, Parivartan.
This announcement comes as the Bank commemorates 10 years of Parivartan, which has already positively impacted the lives of over 10 crore people across India. The Bank's focus on rural development reflects its continued commitment to fostering sustainable growth and uplifting vulnerable communities.
Since its inception in 2014, Parivartan has grown into one of India’s largest CSR programmes, active in 28 states and 8 Union Territories. It has made significant strides in key areas such as education, skill development, healthcare, and financial inclusion, aligning its efforts with 9 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Launched in 2014, HDFC Bank ‘Parivartan’ was established with the vision to contribute to the socio-economic development of communities across India. With CSR expenditure of over INR 5,100 crore over the last decade, Parivartan has consistently aimed to empower individuals by creating sustainable livelihoods, fostering sustainable development, and creating real-life change.
HDFC Bank has outlined ambitious objectives to be achieved by 2025, building on its decade-long legacy of interventions. The bank aims to enhance incomes for 5 lakh marginal farmers earning less than ₹60,000 annually, while providing skill training to nearly 2 lakh individuals to drive self-sufficiency.
To promote local economies and sustainable livelihoods, HDFC Bank will develop and support 20,000 institutions. Additionally, the bank plans to promote 25,000 community-led enterprises, with a significant focus on women's empowerment, as 50% of these enterprises will be women-led.
In the agricultural sector, the bank aims to bring 2 lakh acres of unirrigated land under irrigation, fostering increased agricultural productivity. Furthermore, 1 lakh acres of farmland will be cultivated to enhance food security and rural income.
Education is also a key focus area, with scholarships provided to 25,000 meritorious underprivileged students to improve access to education. The bank will also implement focused educational interventions to improve class-appropriate learning for 20 lakh students.
Notably, HDFC Bank has already surpassed its initial tree plantation target, having planted 38 lakh trees against the FY25 goal of 25 lakh.
“Today, business performance for profit making enterprises stands redefined. Social impact is an integral part of business performance. HDFC Bank Parivartan comprises multiple programmes with a focus on giving back to the community as well as supporting sustainable development,” explained Kaizad M Bharucha, Deputy Managing Director, HDFC Bank.
In FY23-24 alone, HDFC Bank Parivartan has engaged with over 150 NGO partners and implementing agencies. “We believe that collaboration is key. Economic and financial wellbeing of society is what every responsible lender should aspire for. Our commitment to this principle is underscored in our CSR programme. Unequivocally, the business of banking is underpinned by trust and as a responsible lender, and the Bank stands committed to contributing to nation-building,” Bharucha he added.
The Bank’s Parivartan initiatives focus on 5 key areas of Rural Development, Promotion of Education, Skill Training and Livelihood Enhancement, Healthcare and Hygiene, and Financial Literacy and Inclusion. These pillars are also aligned with the 9 out of 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The CSR programme is designed not only to create targeted impact through Focused Development Programmes, but also enable sustainable growth, especially in rural India, through the Holistic Rural Development Programme.
“With over 65% of India’s population residing in rural areas, we strongly believe that inclusive development can only be attained when the prosperity and livelihood in villages keeps pace with the growth. We prioritise rural areas for our programme and currently 70% of our programmes are being implemented in such areas,” said Nusrat Pathan, Head – CSR, HDFC Bank.
Since its inception, HDFC Bank Parivartan has reached over 9,270 villages and more than 10 lakh households. The bank’s social outreach covers 85 out of the 112 aspirational districts in India, focusing on empowering marginalized communities, especially women, through targeted interventions.
“Our initiatives encompass capacity building, the promotion of financial literacy, credit and entrepreneurial endeavours, along with enhancing skills for agricultural and related practices. Under the overarching theme of capacity development and creation of livelihoods, we have established separate goals for individual and institutional enhancement,” said Bharucha.
