Sri. P. Rajeev, Minister for Industry, Law and Coir, Govt of Kerala has launched Holistic Rural Development Programme supported by HDFC Bank in 14 villages of Ernakulam District, Kerala The announcement was made at the stakeholders’ meet organized at Alangad, Ernakulam. Along with the bank’s CSR team, representatives of local self-help groups, line departments of the Government of Kerala, and stakeholders were also present.
The first phase of the project was declared complete by handing over the project to the Alangad Block Panchayat President Smt.Remya Thomas.
Ernakulam is one of the most natural disaster-prone districts in Kerala. Climate change has caused several natural calamities like floods and coastal erosion. Changes in monsoon patterns and global warming have left people vulnerable. MS Swaminathan Foundation identified issues requiring immediate intervention to protect livelihoods and HDFC Bank-supported through Parivartan.
The first phase of the Parivartan program of helping rebuild 30 villages in 6 districts which it had adopted after the floods in 2018. It had provided skill trainings to the people and had set up natural resource-based entrepreneurship units, renovated agriculture, restored paddy fields, and transformed schools smart.
“At HDFC Bank we are helping to transform lives of millions of Indians through our social initiatives,” said Ritesh Sinha, Project Head, CSR, HDFC Bank . “Our partnership with MS Swaminathan Research Foundation strengthens our mutual endeavour to help people. Sustainable practises are the only effective counter measures against challenges posed by climate change. The Bank stands with all stakeholders to safeguard livelihoods.”, he added
The foundation has been implementing HDFC Bank-supported Parivartan Holistic Rural Development Programme across 30 villages in 6 districts of Kerala since 2018. It has driven a range of innovative practices in partnership with over 10,000+ households.
The programme focus areas are Natural resource Management, Skill Development and Livelihood Enhancement & Promotion of Education. It aspires to benefit around 9,000 people directly and another 43,000 people indirectly. The programme is implemented in close collaboration with the local self-help groups and line departments of the state.
The programme has a special focus on promoting entrepreneurship among marginal fishers and farming communities to enhance community resilience to natural disasters and climate change impacts. It also includes creating successful Agri entrepreneurship models by strengthening farmer co-operatives in the region. One of the objectives is to have local economic activation with 56 community-led enterprises, of which 50% should be led by women.
The program will be implemented in Elamkunnapuzha, Njarakkal, Nayarambalam, Edavanakkad, Kuzhuppilly, Pallipuram, Moothakunnam, Vadakkekkara, Chendamangalam, Varappuzha, Alanagad, Karumalloor, Chengamanad and Parakkadavu from 2021 for 3 years.