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Canara Bank Conducts CSR-Based Bicycle Distribution for Girl Students in School
Canara Bank’s Panvel Branch (15210) recently carried out a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative involving the distribution of 15 bicycles to girl students residing in rural areas. The programme aimed to reduce the travel burden of students who walk long distances to attend school daily.
Author: Kalyani Mali
Published: April 10, 2025
The bicycle distribution activity was conducted as part of Canara Bank’s CSR outreach, in coordination with a government-aided school located in the village of Poyanje, near the Panvel Branch. According to the bank, the school management had approached them with a request to support students who regularly walk 2–3 kilometers each way to attend classes. The initiative sought to ease their commute and contribute to better attendance and convenience.
Insights from Canara Bank on the Initiative
Kanal spoke to Sri Balmukund Kumar, Branch In-charge of Canara Bank Panvel, regarding the background of the initiative. He shared that the activity was conducted in response to the school’s request and that the students selected were identified based on their travel challenges.
He further clarified that although the beneficiaries included tribal community girl students, the selection was not based on community background. The bank’s focus was on addressing genuine logistical difficulties, and the support extended was purely based on need.
Event Conducted in Presence of Bank Officials
The CSR activity took place on the school premises and saw the participation of senior bank officials, including:
- Sri Deepak Saxena, Regional Head, Navi Mumbai Regional Office
- Sri Balmukund Kumar, Branch Head, Panvel
- Sri Omkar Kolekar, Marketing Manager
- Sri Suraj Bhandre, Branch Head, Kalamboli
Image: Felicitation ceremony
Courtesy: Canara Bank Panvel Branch
Response from the School and Community
According to the information shared by the bank, they received a good response from the students and parents, as the girl students were coming from their homes by walking, and it took too much time for them to reach school and return. They were very happy to get bicycles. Parents were thanking Canara Bank for such a noble cause.
Image: Girl students at Poyanje village receiving bicycles under Canara Bank’s CSR initiative
Courtesy: Canara Bank Panvel Branch
Real-World Impact: Bihar's Bicycle Program
In Bihar, India, Mukhyamantri Balika Cycle Yojana, was launched to provide bicycles to schoolgirls. The initiative helped improve school attendance and reduced dropout rates by addressing mobility challenges. It also played a role in empowering girls and encouraging continued education in rural areas.
Providing bicycles to students who travel long distances to attend school can help reduce daily strain and improve their ability to participate in learning consistently. Small, need-based interventions like these can support students' educational journeys and offer encouragement to families working to keep their children in school. The response from the local community suggests that such efforts are valued at the grassroots level.