"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give," goes a saying by Winston Churchill.

Corporates make money but responsible corporates go a step further and make efforts to take responsibility for their actions Since the 1990s, companies across the globe consider Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as a must have initiative. CSR allows them to do their bit for the society, environment and customers.

With growing awareness among businesses about environment and customer engagement, companies come up with innovative ideas. With an aim to transform lives of urban and rural India, ICICI Bank has pioneered its CSR initiatives.

ICICI Bank has taken up several initiatives in the field of Education and Health to strengthen the society and make people self-sufficient. Initiatives like Skill Development have been successful in helping approximately 2 lakh urban and rural citizens earn a sustainable livelihood. Its Women Empowerment initiative has empowered more than 2.5 million less privileged women to become self-reliant.

The bank largely focusses on its Digital Villages initiative. ICICI Bank's innovation agenda for the villages is driven by the future needs of a Digital IndiaBSE -4.90 %. Inspired by the success of India's first Digital Village at Akodara that stood out as a model cashless village. ICICI Bank has already transformed 100 villages into ICICI Digital Villages across the country within 100 days and aims to transform other 500 villages by this year end.

The Digital Villages initiative takes a holistic approach to the development of rural India and encompasses digital transactions, vocational training and easy loans for villagers. Under this CSR initiative, ICICI Bank empowers people by training them in relevant skillsets. This not only secures their future but also helps them earn a living by doing what they are good at.

The Digital Villages initiative has transformed the lives of millions of underprivileged Indians. And every tale is awe-inspiring. Sunita Limbikai's story is a journey of immense courage and patience in times of adversity.

Inspiring story of Sunita Limbikai

After losing her husband and elder son to an illness, within years of her marriage, Sunita was forced to earn a living for herself and her younger son. She worked in fields to provide for her only son.

She lost her house and slowly her hope to this tragedy. She didn't have a bed to sleep but she never let her dreams die. She wanted to send her son to college but didn't know how. She was clueless till she happened to come across free skill training provided by ICICI as a part of their 'Digital Villages' initiative.

ICICI Bank understood her need and what she was capable of and thus got her enrolled into a dress designing course. She learned new things and started getting back her confidence which she had lost due to her problems. This course not just helped her develop new skills but also taught her to communicate and present herself to the world.

The vocational course helped her get a job in a big garment factory. She got her house back and things started falling in place. She was able to save money and send her son to college. But then came another blow. Sunita's leg had to be operated due to an accident. But she was unstoppable.

She continued work and discovered a new ambition in making bags for women. She is a happily employed skilled tailor in a big garment factory. Now, she aspires to start her own tailoring shop.

Sunita Limbikai from Sangli, Maharashtra was able to face most difficult time of her life because she had the will which made her work towards securing a better future. ICICI Bank's Digital Villages initiative recognised her talent and helped her live a life of dignity.