The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), in collaboration with the Pune District Central Cooperative Bank Ltd. (PDCC Bank), has organized the Diwali Festival 2025 at the PDCC Bank headquarters, which began on October 15 and will continue till October 18, 2025.
The initiative aims to provide a marketplace for products made by women’s self-help groups (SHGs) and to promote employment opportunities for women across the Pune district.
A total of 54 SHGs associated with the bank participated in the exhibition and sale of locally produced food items and Diwali-related products.
The festival was inaugurated by Mrs. Rashmi Darad, Chief General Manager, NABARD, in the presence of dignitaries including Vineet Bhat, DDM, NABARD; Mangesh Titkare, Managing Director, MCDC; Deepak Taware, Commissioner of Cooperation and Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Maharashtra; Mrs. Shalini Kadu, Project Director, DRDA; Prof. Dr. Digambar Durgade, Chairman, PDCC Bank; Sunil Chandere, Vice-Chairman; and other directors and senior officials of the bank.
Speakers praised the initiative for fostering women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship. NABARD officials assured continued support for marketing women’s products through designated outlets. The event not only encouraged women’s economic participation but also boosted their confidence and self-reliance through direct market exposure.