Raipur, 9 jan 2025 : In the lush landscapes of Bastar, Chhattisgarh, Bastar Shri Silk is weaving a story of empowerment, innovation, and heritage. Founded in 2021 by K. Monica and supported by NABARD, this artisan collective started with just 10 members and has now flourished into a thriving community of 50 skilled craftsmen and women.
Renowned for their freshwater pearl jewelry in bell metal, a craft found nowhere else in India, they also produce loki-based bottle gourds (tuma), mushroom and ragi tea (chaha), candles, decor, jewelry, and handlooms—each product carrying the essence of Bastar’s rich traditions.
With monthly incomes ranging from ₹6,000 to ₹25,000, these artisans are not only preserving their heritage but also creating pathways for economic independence. Their initiative, My Pad My Right, recognized by the Prime Minister, highlights their commitment to community-driven innovation.
From the forests of Chhattisgarh to markets across India, Bastar Shri Silk represents a journey where nature, tradition, and modernity blend seamlessly to craft a sustainable future.
This cooperative is participating in the national Grameen Bharat Mahotsav organised at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, by NABARD and Department of Financial Services (M/o Finance) from 4th to 9th January, 2025. The Mahotsav, through various discussions, workshops and masterclasses, aims to enhance rural infrastructure, create self-reliant economies, and foster innovation within rural communities.
Its objectives include promoting economic stability and financial security among rural populations, with a special focus on North-East India, by addressing financial inclusion and supporting sustainable agricultural practices.
A significant focus of the Mahotsav is to empower rural women through entrepreneurship; bring together government officials, thought leaders, rural entrepreneurs, artisans and stakeholders from diverse sectors to build a roadmap for collaborative and collective rural transformation; encourage discussions around leveraging technology and innovative practices to enhance rural livelihoods; and showcase India’s rich cultural heritage through vibrant performances and exhibitions.
![[20/01, 3:35 PM] D Palliwal: *Bharti Airtel and Bajaj Finance enter into a strategic partnership to create one of India's Largest Digital Platforms for Financial Services* • One-of-a-kind partnership to transform last mile delivery of financial services, fostering digital inclusion • Airtel to progressively offer most of Bajaj Finance’s retail financial offerings to all its 370 million customers • Partnership combines Airtel’s powerful digital platforms and omni channel capabilities with Bajaj Finance’s diversified suite of 27 product lines, AI-driven strategy and strong underwriting strengths *Lucknow, 20 January, 2025:* Bharti Airtel, one of India’s largest telecom services providers and Bajaj Finance, the country’s largest private-sector Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), today announced a strategic partnership to create one of India’s largest digital platforms for financial services and transform last mile delivery. The one-of-a-kind partnership brings together Airtel’s highly engaged customer base of 370 million, 12 lakh+ strong distribution network, and Bajaj Finance’s diversified suite of 27 product lines, and distribution heft of 5,000+ branches and 70,000 field agents. Airtel will initially offer Bajaj Finance’s retail financial products on its Airtel Thanks App for seamless and secure customer experience, and later through its nation-wide network of stores. The combined strength of the companies’ digital assets will enable Airtel and Bajaj Finance to significantly deepen penetration of financial products and services. *Gopal Vittal, Vice Chairman and MD, Bharti Airtel, said,* “Airtel and Bajaj Finance, two trusted names in this country, have the shared vision of empowering millions of Indians with a diverse portfolio of financial needs. The combined reach, scale and distribution strength of the two companies will serve as the cornerstone of this partnership and help us succeed in the marketplace. We are building Airtel Finance as a strategic asset for the group and will continue to invest in and grow the business. Today. we are trusted by over 1 million customers and our vision is to make Airtel Finance a one-stop shop for all the financial needs of our customers.” *Rajeev Jain, Managing Director, Bajaj Finance, said,* “India’s digital ecosystem has been at the heart of data-driven credit underwriting and financial inclusion. Our partnership with Airtel not only leverages India’s digital infrastructure for inclusive growth but also brings together the expertise and reach of two of India’s leading and most-trusted brands. Together with Airtel, we seek to be the financier of choice to India and enable millions to access financial services, even in remote areas. We are excited to join hands with Airtel at a time when Bajaj Finance is harnessing the power of AI to enhance efficiencies and elevate customer experiences.” So far, two products of Bajaj Finance have been piloted on the Airtel Thanks App. By March, four products of Bajaj Finance will be available to customers on the Airtel Thanks App. These include Gold Loan, Business Loan, a co-branded Insta EMI Card and Personal Loan. Airtel will progressively offer close to 10 financial products of Bajaj Finance within this calendar year. Airtel customers have the opportunity to apply for the Airtel-Bajaj FinservInsta EMI card via the Airtel Thanks App and later through its nation-wide network of stores. Airtel-Bajaj Finserv EMI card provides access to a range of offers available to Bajaj Finance customers. Users will benefit from flexible EMI options and payment plans for purchasing various goods, including electronics, furniture and groceries at over 1.5 lakh partner stores across more than 4,000 cities. Additionally, the co-branded card is applicable for e-commerce transactions on multiple platforms. The Airtel Thanks App now also enables customers to secure a gold loan, enabling new-to-credit customers to access finance and integrate with the formal financial system. As part of the partnership, both the companies are committed to strong regulatory compliance, data privacy and security, and seamless customer service.](https://www.asr24.news/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/airtel.jpg "Bharti Airtel and Bajaj Finance enter into a strategic partnership for Financial Services")
Bharti Airtel and Bajaj Finance enter into a strategic partnership for Financial Services
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