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Airtel Payments Bank empowers 100,000 women to lead banking revolution
MUMBAI: Money talks, but not everyone gets to hear it. Airtel Payments Bank is changing that, one woman at a time. On this International Women’s Day, the bank is making a bold statement—financial empowerment isn’t just for the boardrooms; it starts at the grassroots. With an army of 100,000 women business correspondents (BCs) now in action, Airtel Payments Bank is rewriting the rules of banking accessibility in India.
Airtel Payments Bank has long been at the forefront of bringing banking to the unbanked. With a sprawling network of 500,000+ banking points, the bank has reached the deepest corners of India, making financial services as accessible as the local kirana store. But the real game-changer? Women. These BCs are more than just intermediaries; they are financial lifelines, helping communities access essential services like account opening, fund transfers, bill payments, and micro-loans.
“Women have always been at the heart of our mission to bring financial services to every corner of the country,” said Airtel Payments Bank COO Ganesh Ananthanarayanan. “Through our women BC network, we are not only promoting financial inclusion but also empowering women to become change makers in their communities. This International Women’s Day, we celebrate their incredible contributions to advancing banking access, especially in remote areas. We are committed to growing this network even further and bringing more women into the financial mainstream.”
Over 80 per cent of these correspondents operate in tier three towns and beyond, proving that financial inclusion isn’t just a corporate buzzword—it’s a movement. By focusing on training and upskilling women entrepreneurs, Airtel Payments Bank is not just creating jobs; it’s unlocking financial independence for thousands of women who, in turn, empower millions.
Looking ahead, Airtel Payments Bank plans to continue scaling this initiative, bringing even more women into the fold. Because when women hold the purse strings, entire communities thrive.
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ITC Sunfeast Farmlite launches Sugar Free Cookies range
New variants offer guilt-free indulgence for health-conscious snackers.
MUMBAI: ITC Sunfeast Farmlite is sweetening the deal for biscuit lovers who want to have their cookie and eat it too without the sugar. The better-for-you biscuits range from ITC Foods has expanded its portfolio with the launch of an all-new Sugar Free Cookies line, aligning with the company’s vision of ‘Help India Eat Better’. The range is designed for consumers who are rethinking sugar in their daily snacking but refuse to compromise on taste and indulgence.
The collection debuts with two tempting variants: Choco Nut Cookies and Hazelnut & Oats Cookies. Both are a source of protein and contain no trans-fat, while the Hazelnut & Oats variant is also lactose-free.
ITC Ltd. vice president (marketing), biscuits, foods division, Suraj Kathuria said, “At Sunfeast Farmlite, we believe mindful snacking should never come at the cost of indulgence. With this launch, we are catering to the growing need for guilt-free snacking while delivering a rich, satisfying cookie experience.”
ITC Ltd. vice president & head of food sciences for foods division Dr Shantanu Das added, “We have applied robust food science to develop cookies that are sugar-free while preserving the taste and texture consumers love.”
Each cookie comes in convenient single-serve packs to maintain texture and freshness. Both variants are available in 100g packs priced at ₹100 and can be found on quick-commerce platforms including Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, and Zepto.
In a market increasingly leaning towards healthier choices, ITC Sunfeast Farmlite’s new Sugar Free Cookies prove that cutting sugar doesn’t mean cutting joy. For the health-conscious yet indulgent snacker, this could be the perfect bite-sized solution.
