Sri Vijaya Puram, April 28: A four-day training programme aimed at strengthening rural insurance access and promoting financial inclusion among Self-Help Group members has commenced in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with a focus on building a cadre of community-level insurance facilitators.
The “Bima Sakhi” training programme, being held from April 27 to April 30, 2026, is organised at the Conference Hall of the Directorate of RD, PRIs and ULBs by the Andaman and Nicobar Administration in collaboration with the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), Sri Vijaya Puram.
The programme was inaugurated by Apurva Sharma, Director (RD/Panchayat) and State Mission Director of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Rural Livelihood Mission (ANIRLM), in the presence of officials from LIC and the State Mission Management Unit.
The initiative is designed to equip women from Self-Help Groups with the knowledge and skills required to function as “Bima Sakhis,” enabling them to act as grassroots-level facilitators for insurance services. These trained members are expected to support last-mile delivery by spreading awareness, assisting enrolments, and strengthening access to financial protection mechanisms in rural communities.
Addressing participants, Sharma underlined the role of insurance in mitigating risks faced by rural households and safeguarding livelihoods against uncertainties. He stressed that improving access to financial services remains critical for inclusive development and encouraged participants to actively take up responsibilities as “Bima Sakhis.”
Officials from LIC conducted sessions detailing various life insurance and social security schemes relevant to rural populations. They emphasised the importance of awareness generation at the grassroots level and outlined how trained facilitators can assist in enrolment processes, ensure timely claim settlements, and build trust between communities and insurance providers.
Participants in the programme include Self-Help Group members from Ferrargunj, Prothrapur, Rangat, Mayabunder, and Diglipur blocks. Over the course of the training, sessions are focused on enhancing financial literacy, improving understanding of insurance products, and preparing participants to effectively guide their communities in accessing available services.
The programme seeks to address gaps in awareness and accessibility that often limit the reach of insurance coverage in remote areas. By positioning trained SHG members as local facilitators, the initiative aims to strengthen grassroots delivery systems and improve uptake of social security schemes.
Officials indicated that the training is part of broader efforts to promote women-led development while reinforcing financial resilience at the household level. The deployment of “Bima Sakhis” is expected to expand insurance penetration and support more responsive service delivery in rural areas.
The initiative reflects an integrated approach to financial inclusion by combining capacity building, community participation, and institutional support, with a focus on strengthening outreach in geographically dispersed regions.
