Ujjivan’s operations in Western India started in January 2009 with 3 branches in the city of Pune. Over the past 24 months the region has grown to 48 branches spanning Maharashtra and Gujarat, serving over 100000 customers and their families.

The startup team of 4 members has grown substantially. At last count, the Ujjivan parivaar had 558 members. Ms. Shilpa Jadhav, Regional HR Manager, says “the rapid growth has challenged our creativity in recruiting and retaining socially motivated talent. I believe at each level we have been able to nurture leadership skills. For example, since many of our CRSs belong to the same socio-economic background as that of our customers we focus on inculcating values that will make them role models for their customers and the communities they serve”

In addition to financial services from Ujjivan, other non-financial interventions needed to ‘Build a Better Life’ have been provided by sister NGO, Parinaam Foundation: Beneficiaries are 3972 customers & their family members.

Services provided:
• 10 eye camps
• 5 dental camps
• 3 ENT camps
• 78 free cataract surgeries
• Subsidized spectacles
• Discounts at medical stores, and
• Sports days for customers’ children

Through these social services, Ujjivan tries to lend a supporting shoulder to customers and their families. “Watching the children of our customers having a day of healthy fun, the energy on Ujjivan Sports day at branches is contagious”, says Samuel Salvi, the coordinator for Parinaam programs in the region. Programs such as livelihood & vocational training, Alcoholic Anonymous, Food and nutrition workshops have helped make the lives of Ujjivan’s customers and their family members a little easier.

However the journey in the past 2 years has had its own share of pit falls and lessons. Rahul Gadwal, Credit manager (west) says “I believe that just like conventional banking customers, even the urban poor are referenced by the conventional 4Cs of credit: Character, Capital, Capacity, and Condition. In my experience, if customers fail to repay it is usually because of unforeseen household conditions. We try to understand their problems and help them in the best way possible. In an area served by our Pune South branch when a number of customers’ houses were destroyed in a fire, we decided to first help the customers through grants from the Ujjivan Crisis Relief Fund. In addition we gave our customers repayment holidays & rescheduled their loans, so that they have the opportunity to pick up the pieces of their lives without the burden of debt servicing“.

The journey of the Ujjivan in Western India has just begun. The team is focused on the opportunity and challenges that they will come across in this exciting journey. Jolly Zachariah, Chief Operating Officer (West), says “We firmly believe that our roles in development of the underprivileged will result in a universally prospering India in the future. We are committed to making a difference and will not rest until we help all our customers build a better life, one at a time.”