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Rural

Revolution

HDFC Bank

Parivartan, the lives in over a million households how to make handicraft from water

bank’s flagship CSR across the country. hyacinth, a weed that is abundant in
programme, has Amidst the wide range of more than half of the 400 villages in
Thoothukudi district.
transformed more interventions the Bank is

than 9.8 crore lives undertaking, it is notable to see They were trained in correct ways
of harvesting, grading, drying, and
the sustainable change in the lives
in over a million of people through the livelihood storing the water hyacinth stems.
households across interventions. Following are three They were also introduced to four
types of weaving for making baskets
such initiatives undertaken by the
the country Bank that are innovative, sustainable and flat products. Sewing machine
and scalable. were given to add value to the
1. Water Hyacinth Handicraft products. The training included
harulata, aged 35, humanity, is the key to the long- project stitching removable lining in fabric
works as a farm term success of the 2030 SDG 2. Local Economic Activation Project for laundry baskets and handbags.
labourer in Thoothukudi goals. However, attaining SDG goals (LEAP) Wooden handles and woven multi-
district in Tamil Nadu. without a robust rural development 3. Three-Tier Vertical Livelihood coloured straps were specially
CHer husband works in program focused on bringing rural Structure Model designed to match the products.
the city as a security guard, and she women to the centre stage will be From Weeds to Wealth: The training advanced to dyeing
raises their two children at home. challenging. Water Hyacinth Handicraft the stem, welding and braising the
It is incredibly hard to make ends Project metal armature, designing pleated
meet because of limited economic This is where HDFC Bank techniques, and tufted products.
opportunities available in her village. Parivartan, the bank’s flagship CSR In January 2022, the Water Hyacinth The women were also trained in
Her situation is common for 48% programme, works towards the Handicraft project was Launched segregation, drying, and storage of
women living in 664,369 Indian socio-economic development of the Education, Skill Development & for 60 women beneficiaries. They the stem in white gunny bags for
villages. Almost 75% of such rural society by sustainably empowering Livelihood Enhancement, Healthcare were given specialized craft tool several days.
women are agricultural workers. communities. It focuses on six areas: & Hygiene, and Financial Literacy. It kits to use during their training and
India, home to one-sixth of all Environment, Rural Development, has transformed more than 9.8 crore beyond. The project taught them These products were also exhibited

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