Mangaluru: The Shri Kshethra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP) BC Trust has been awarded the Elaben Memorial Award for Best Women-Friendly Financial Institution for 2025-26. The award was presented at the 21st national conference organised recently in New Delhi by Sa-Dhan, an RBI-appointed self-regulatory organisation.The award recognises SKDRDP’s efforts to provide women employees with a safe workplace, a supportive work environment and equal opportunities for professional growth. The organisation functions under the guidance of Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari D Veerendra Heggade and Mathrushree Hemavathi V Heggade.SKDRDP chief executive officer Anil Kumar SS, chief financial officer Shantharam R Pai and regional directors Geetha B and Dayashila received the award.Of the project’s 41,000 employees, around 29,000 are women. The organisation provides them modern technology and regular training to enhance their professional skills. Its policies also facilitate transfers based on family requirements. Transparent promotion procedures ensure equal opportunities for career advancement.The award is named after Elaben, who made significant contributions to women’s empowerment, and is considered a national-level honour in the microfinance sector. Sa-Dhan has 210 financial institutions as members, including banks, business correspondent institutions, non-banking financial companies, small finance banks, microfinance institutions and cooperative societies.Under Hemavathi Heggade’s guidance, 3,29,609 members have benefited from holistic development initiatives through 6,547 Jnanavikasa centres. In addition, around 42 lakh women have availed loans at low interest rates through the project’s BC services, helping them strengthen their livelihoods and achieve greater financial and social independence.
