October 01, 2024: Bengaluru, India: In a significant move towards empowering marginalized women, United Way Bengaluru (UWBe), with financial support from NTT DATA, a global digital business and IT services leader, has distributed five e-rickshaws, each equipped with a smartphone, to five women who have successfully completed driving training.

The distribution event was held at the Office of the Commissioner of Police and was graced by Bengaluru’s Police Commissioner, Sri B. Dayananda, IPS, along with Ankur Dasgupta, Vice President & Head of Marketing, India, NTT DATA.

Supported by the Bengaluru City Commissioner’s Office and the NGO Parihar, this initiative aims to create sustainable livelihood opportunities for women from vulnerable communities. The project provides these women with the skills and tools necessary to operate e-rickshaws and collaborate with cab aggregators. Each e-rickshaw is outfitted with a smartphone to facilitate the management of ride requests through cab aggregator apps, ensuring a smooth and efficient operation.

“At NTT DATA, we believe in supporting initiatives that create lasting and meaningful change. The E-rickshaw project is a powerful step toward building a more inclusive and equitable society, where women are equipped to take control of their futures. This initiative not only offers sustainable livelihoods to marginalized women and their families but also aligns with our commitment to environmental conservation. By connecting the planet, economies, and people, we aim to drive positive global impact. We are honoured to collaborate with United Way on this initiative, which paves the way for long-term social change,” said Ankur Dasgupta, Vice President & Head of Marketing, India at NTT DATA.

“Today, we’re witnessing the transformative power of collaboration. Together with NTT DATA and United Way of Bengaluru, we’re creating a brighter future for women from vulnerable communities, where financial independence meets dignity and respect” – Said B Dayananda, Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru City

“We believe that empowering women with the tools and skills they need to be financially independent is a critical step toward building a more inclusive society. The provision of these e-rickshaws will not only give them a stable source of income but also the confidence to shape their futures,” said Rajesh Krishnan, CEO, United Way Bengaluru.