Bondas tribe embraces banking: A new era of financial literacy in Odisha

Koraput: For centuries, the Bondas, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) living in Malkangiri district lived far removed from the world of modern banking. For them, money was only a means to buy salt, oil or a piece of cloth after selling forest produce or grains in the weekly market. Entering a bank or operating an account was unimaginable.That picture is now changing in the Bonda hills under Khairaput block. Today, many Bonda men and women trek miles down steep slopes to reach the State Bank of India (SBI) branch at Khairaput. With passbooks in hand, they deposit their earnings and withdraw govt assistance credited directly to their accounts.“I had never seen the inside of a bank earlier. Now I can save my money and withdraw it when I need,” said Sama Badnaik, a Bonda woman, who withdrew Rs 3,000 from the SBI branch on Wednesday.For the tribals, banking is not just about money it is about dignity. “Earlier, I would keep my earnings at home, and sometimes the money would get spent without my knowledge. Now, with a passbook in my hand, I feel my savings are safe in the bank,” said Muskan Kirsani, another Bonda woman.According to SBI (Khairaput) branch manager, Nasurddin Ahmed, around 900 Bondas have opened savings accounts. “Some Bondas have availed loans by forming women self-help groups (SHGs) to run small businesses. They are also being made aware of various govt banking-related schemes,” he said.Jagannath Majhi, a local activist, called it a turning point. “Earlier, they never knew what a bank was. Today, they save their income and withdraw govt benefits directly. The day is not far when they will confidently demand their rightful entitlements,” he said.The Bondas, among Odisha’s most ancient tribes, are divided into two groups — Lower Bonda and Upper Bonda. While the lower group lives on the foothills, the Upper Bondas reside in 32 villages spread over 130 sq km under Mudulipada and Andrahal panchayats of Khairaput block.