The two-day national workshop organised at the Head Office of BAIF in Pune, witnessed a stunning participation by more than 35 vibrant eDosts and Digital Sakhis associated with BAIF’s Programme in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh. These new-age dynamic women brimming with confidence and leadership skills stole the show with their infectious enthusiasm, power with words, expressions and resilience. Time stood still as one after the other, these women broke the shackles of language and cultural diversities with their unity and sense of purpose, to unfold a silent digital revolution in rural India. The experience sharing sessions enabled them to learn from each other and build on their capacities while exploring new pathways for rural transformation.
Many of these women, who once had limited mobility and financial agency, are now earning independent incomes, operating digital platforms, facilitating financial transactions, supporting access to government schemes, and helping rural citizens navigate an increasingly digital world. For years, BAIF has consciously invested in building a grassroots cadre of women digital service providers in under-served and remote rural regions where access to technology, banking, entitlements, and information were limited. Today, these women have emerged as trusted change-makers, local entrepreneurs, and role models for countless others in their communities. Their work is even more endearing because of the fact that they are often the first point of support for the elderly, widows, differently-abled and vulnerable households for whom digital systems and formal institutions are formidable challenges.
With the arrival of doorstep digital and financial services provided by this band of neo-digital and financial providers, crucial gaps in access, dignity, and inclusion are being narrowed swiftly. The transformation in their own lives has been equally remarkable. The surge in self-esteem, financial independence, decision-making ability and recognition within families and society is helping to break the glass ceiling in rural India. Women are no longer seen merely as beneficiaries — they have a new identity and are now known as breadwinners, leaders, and technology ambassadors of their villages.
Over the years, BAIF-facilitated 650+ Digital Sakhis and eDosts have collectively reached thousands of rural households, facilitated access to multiple government welfare schemes, promoted digital and financial literacy, enabled online services, and created sustainable livelihood opportunities at the grassroots level. This initiative is a powerful example of how connectivity can be made meaningful — where science, technology, and society come together to create inclusive and human-centred development. It reflects the vision of a Digital India where no village, no woman, and no vulnerable citizen is left behind.
In this journey, the invaluable partnership and support extended by fintech and institutional partners namely, PayNearby, Bankit, Partner banks, APC-Internet Society, IIT Bombay, Tata Motors, ITC, L & T Finance, Reliance Foundation and Gates Foundation have enabled BAIF to strengthen the rural digital ecosystem.
Conceived as a mission-mode stock-taking exercise, the workshop drew upon strategic guidance and facilitation support from BAIF’s senior team members -Rajashree Joshi and Waman Kulkarni, Sujata Kangude, Women Empowerment Anchor, and was very well coordinated by Ms. Pooja Majgankar who has been anchoring the E-Dost Initiative at BAIF. The workshop was also enriched with a motivational session by Dr. Bharat Kakade, President, BAIF.
