National, 07 March, 2024: Srinivasan Services Trust (SST), the social arm of TVS Motor Company and Sundaram-Clayton Limited, has been working for women empowerment in the rural belts of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh for the past 27 years, through formation of Women Self-help groups, and helping them sustain through interventions in diverse sectors such as training, credit linkage, livelihood programs and nudging them towards development of their community.
SSTs commitment to the ideals of women empowerment is also reflected in fostering a balanced workforce. SST celebrates having over 40% female representation in its field force. This milestone underscores SST’s dedication to creating an inclusive environment where women can thrive professionally.
SST has collectivised over 60000 women into over 5000 Self-Help groups over the course of their journey. Additionally SST has actively supported financial inclusion by facilitating Rs. 85 crores through bank loans for 15,500 women, in this financial year empowering them to pursue entrepreneurial endeavours. Through these initiatives, we help women uplift themselves and their next generation hence bringing about transformative change in the communities.
One of the major livelihood interventions promoted by SST has been supporting over 10,000 livestock women farmers achieve a sustainable income ranging from Rs. 2000 to Rs. 6000 per milch animal. This is achieved through a comprehensive dairy value chain program through which we provide timely technical support, credit linkages through SHG and help women to set up milk-collection centres. A success story from recent years is a partnership with Shreeja Milk Producer Company Limited, where women, collectivised and trained by SST, were supported to establish 30 women-led milk collection societies, empowering over 400 women through social entrepreneurship. Additionally, SST’s support for diverse income-generating activities, such as handicrafts product making units, promotes economic independence among women across various communities.
In the cluster of villages near Pune, SST has facilitated livelihood opportunities for over 200 women, enabling them to transition from daily wage labour to finding sustainable income between Rs. 2000 to Rs. 5000 within their villages. This transformation showcases the tangible impact of SST’s interventions on improving the lives of rural women.
Furthermore, SST’s dedication to women’ health is reflected in collaborations with Gramalaya. We have established a hygiene program that focusses on menstrual health, benefiting over 1000 girl children annually. These initiatives play a crucial role in promoting health education and awareness among young girls, paving the way for a healthier future generation.
SST’s impact is visible through the actions of more than 1000 women who are part of 100 SST facilitated SHGs, who, out of their own interest get involved in community development initiatives. These initiatives, ranging from supporting flood-affected communities to contributing to the renovation of anganwadis and providing the anganwadis and schools with essential materials. This proves SSTs model for promoting community development through development of rural women through its multifaceted initiatives, will help to build a more inclusive, equitable and robust villages.
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About Srinivasan Services Trust (SST): Srinivasan Services Trust (SST), the social arm of TVS Motor Company and Sundaram-Clayton Limited started working in villages from mid 1990s. Starting with a model of philanthropy, it matured into a model centred on community participation in all its projects. Today, SST works in 2500 villages in the country with 2,000 villages in Tamil Nadu. It follows a holistic and participatory approach of village development, working very closely with the community and the government.
SST’s focus is to bring about sustainable development in villages through Total Community Involvement. Society building through development of women and children, conservation of water, providing holistic health and education infrastructure by renovating the government infrastructure and preserving the environment are its main focus areas. SST works towards economic development of the community by helping them to set up microenterprises and supporting them to improve agriculture and livestock income. SST nudge communities to embrace practises towards better quality of life by ensuring a participatory approach right from planning to execution of activities. SST’s long-term goal is to create robust communities, through a strong bonding and a sense of ownership among community propelling sustained growth of the villages.
