Airtel Payments Bank marked International Women’s Day by honouring outstanding women business correspondents (BCs) from Assam and Meghalaya for their contribution to financial inclusion. The bank, which works with over 100,000 women BCs nationwide, organized a special event in Guwahati to recognize their efforts in bridging the banking gap for underserved communities. The event was attended by key dignitaries, including Loken Das, Chief General Manager of NABARD Assam, and Nizam Uddin Barbhuiya, Deputy Director of RDSDE Assam, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, who commended the BCs for their role in financial empowerment. Airtel Payments Bank operates over 500,000 neighborhood banking points, with more than 24,600 BCs in Assam and Meghalaya, of whom 2,600 are women. Over 80% of them work in unbanked and underbanked areas, offering essential financial services such as account openings, cash withdrawals, money transfers, and insurance.
Recognizing their efforts, the bank felicitated five exemplary women BCs: WansukThangkhiew, Lanopat N Sangma, SmritiMili, Ajami Nara Khatun, and Queen Marry KeotBhuyan. In Shillong, the presence of women BCs has significantly improved access to banking services, particularly for small traders and daily wage earners. Many local women have embraced digital transactions, reducing dependency on cash and strengthening economic participation in the region.
Shankar Chakraborty, VP – Sales (East), Airtel Payments Bank, said, “At Airtel Payments Bank, we view financial inclusion as more than just access to banking—it’s about making a real difference in people’s lives. Our women business correspondents are key to this change, delivering vital banking services to underserved communities while building trust at the local level. This International Women’s Day 2025 with over 100,000 women BCs working with the Bank, we proudly celebrate their accomplishments and share their stories. Our continued focus is on highlighting their success and inspiring more women to join the journey toward financial empowerment.”
