In 2019, Somalinga Dhodke reached out to Equitas with the intention of opening a bank savings account. However, due to the ongoing lockdown and curfew restrictions in place, he was unable to leave his residence and complete the necessary bank transactions. Amid the COVID lockdown, he came across our virtual Equitas Bank selfie account opening advertisement on social media. Without hesitation, he took advantage of the opportunity and opened an account. He has been conducting all his banking activities through his Equitas Bank Savings Account ever since
He was born with a physical disability, missing one hand from birth, yet he managed to adapt and lead a fulfilling life with only one hand. He is working as a clerk in a local village credit institution. He had heard about the concept of prosthetic hands and had a strong desire to acquire one, but he had no knowledge of where to find it or how to obtain it
He learned about our Equitas Eye Camp and he was aware Equitas was actively involved in numerous CSR initiatives to support underprivileged individuals. Intrigued by this, he attended the camp and approached the affiliated hospital, inquiring about the possibility of receiving an artificial hand. His inquiry was shared to our CSR representative, and with the help of the hospital's representative, all his relevant information was collected
Our community awareness initiatives and collaborations with hospitals have left a lasting impact on the communities we serve. This influence led Mr. Somling Dhodake to approach us with his need. We, in turn, reached out to Bharat Vikas Parishad in Pune, who generously provided him with a free prosthetic hand
Bharat Vikas Parishad is the only non-governmental organisation that renders service to the largest number of physically disabled persons in the country year after year. Apart from providing artificial limbs and other aids to the disabled persons, Bharat Vikas Parishad is now actively working for their rehabilitation so as to enable them to live an independent life. A number of such centres are functioning in various parts of the country
Upon receiving the prosthetic hand, Mr. Dhodake was filled with overwhelming joy, as it enabled him to carry out his daily activities without much difficulty. He expressed his gratitude for the life-changing opportunity that Equitas has facilitated, highlighting Equitas as the only bank he knows that engages in such meaningful activities to assist those in need. He expressed that in the past, he used to feel self-conscious about his physical condition and even experienced discomfort in his clothing. However, now he is filled with confidence and a great sense of well-being. His self-assurance has significantly improved in society