In the National Fortnight for the Disabled, the State Bank of India (SBI) has launched a national campaign to help the poorer sections among the physically challenged.During October 2-16, the bank's community services division will donate wheel-chairs, elbow crutches, walking sticks, folding canes for the blind, Braille slates and other aids to NGOs working for the welfare of the disabled. SBI's Subroto Park branch has already organised a sports meet for the visually impaired in association with the National Association for the Blind.
Says Bikram Jeet Singh, deputy general manager (public relations and community banking), ``The disabled are treated like third class citizens in India. They have to face unemployment, lack of access to public places and the insensitive attitude of the public. What we are doing is a small gesture in recognition of these issues. But this may inspire other big public sector banks to carry out similar drives,'' he feels.
The highlights of the campaign, which will beimplemented by the bank's network of 9,000 branches all across the nation are:
Donations to NGOs/charitable organisations working for the disabledLoan facilities for self-employment and self-relianceVocational training to enable self-employmentMedical camps and check-upsOffering humanitarian aid in terms of clothes and items of daily useGiving away of support systems like artificial limbs, wheel-chairs, Braille books and hearing aids, etcSBI's New Delhi zonal office is taking the help of the Department of Rehabilitation, Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, to select the recipients of wheel-chairs and calipers. ``After the announcement, we received many individual requests for help, but we have decided to join cause with credible and well-known NGOs for the exercise. For instance, with Muskaan, a school for mentally handicapped children, we are considering donating a photocopier. They had requested for one since photocopying is a job skill that is simple andremunerative,'' says Singh.
Recently, the bank also donated uniforms and stationery to the Neb Pheroze and Noshir Meewanji Rehabilitation Centre for the Blind.
As part of its social vision, SBI has constituted the State Bank of India Children's Welfare Fund with the objective of financing projects for the exclusive benefit of children who are physically challenged or come from the weaker sections of the society. ``It will provide medical relief, training in handicrafts and funds to children's welfare centres. All our employees have pitched in with nominal contributions from their salaries for the fund,'' says Singh.
Also on the agenda is a city tour for disabled children, the details of which are to be finalised yet. 0.5 per cent of the annual profits of each bank have been earmarked for donations to non-governmental organisations, according to a directive of the Reserve Bank of India. But SBI is going beyond mere obligations. And it shows.
Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.