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The
Indian Banking and Financial Sector took a giant leap on August 27, 2004,
courtesy the contributions from the Institute for Development and Research
in Banking Technology (IDRBT). The Institute made three very significant
contributions, which will play a pivotal role in making the sector
techno-savvy.
Dr. Y. V. Reddy, Hon’ble Governor, Reserve Bank of India; Shri G. N.
Bajpai, Chairman, Securities and Exchange Board of India; and Shri C. S.
Rao, Chairman, Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority; dedicated
the IDRBT’s National Financial Switch to the Nation.
This National Switch is now facilitating inter-connectivity between the
Banks’ Switches and their ATMs, thereby heralding a new era of
opportunity for the citizens of India. Some of the banks already connected
are the Bank of Baroda, Corporation Bank and ICICI Bank, and all other
banks are in various stages of getting connected to the NFS. Now the
customers' dream of walking across to the nearest ATM of any bank has
become a reality.
Dr. Y. V. Reddy, Hon’ble Governor, also presented Diplomas to the first
batch of the IDRBT’s flagship Programme – the Post Graduate Programme
in Banking Technology Management (PGP-BTM). Twenty-two
students received their diplomas and are now all set to serve the sector.
In fact, the PGP-BTM is specifically designed to meet the demand of the
Indian Banking and Financial Sector for techno-management savvy talent and
it grooms the candidates in every aspect of Banking Technology and
Management, right from Design and Development to Technology Planning and
Project Management.
Further, Shri C. S. Rao, presented the IDRBT Gold Medal to Shri Samaraoha
Das, the topper of
the PGP-BTM and Shri G. N. Bajpai, presented the IDRBT Gold Medal to Shri
G. Srinivas, the
topper of the M. Tech. (IT) Programme.
The dignitaries also gave away the IDRBT Banking Technology Excellence
Awards 2003. These Awards, instituted in the year 2001, are meant to act
as catalysts by infusing a spirit of healthy competition among the banks
in Technology Absorption and thus speeding up the ‘technologisation’
process in the sector. The Annual Awards from the IDRBT are the best
indicators of the rate of Technology Implementation and Absorption in the
sector. The Best Bank Award for Techno-Savvy and
Customer-Friendly Services, this time went to three Bank Branches
Shri Cherian Varghese, CMD, Corporation Bank, received the "Best Bank Award
– Delivery Channels" from Dr. Y. V. Reddy. Dr. Reddy also gave away the
"Best Bank Award for Techno-Savvy and Customer-Friendly
Services" to Shri Surinder Singh Kohli, CMD, Punjab National
Bank and Shri Ashok K. Gupta, AGM, ECE House Branch, New Delhi.
Shri Asok Kumar Das, MD, State Bank of Patiala, received the the "Best Bank
Award – Business Computerisation" from Shri C. S. Rao, Chairman, IRDA.
Shri Rao also presented the "Best Bank Award for Techno-Savvy and
Customer-Friendly Services" to Shri S. R. Vijay
Kumar, GM-IT, Syndicate Bank and Shri Anil Kumar Argal, AGM, Homiji Street
Branch, Mumbai
Shri A. K. Purwar, Chairman, State Bank of India, received the "Best Bank
Award – Back Office Applications" from Shri G. N. Bajpai, Chairman, SEBI.
Shri Bajpai also presented the "Best Bank Award for Techno-Savvy and
Customer-Friendly Services" to Shri K. Ratnakar
Hegde, Executive Director, Union Bank of India and Shri B. A. Patil, Chief
Manager, Juhu Tara Road Branch, Mumbai.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Y. V. Reddy, Governor, Reserve Bank of India
and Visitor, IDRBT, in his "Concluding
Remarks" appreciated the efforts of the Institute in heralding
the IT revolution in the Banking and Financial Sector. Stressing on the
need to work towards achieving a synergy between research, training, and
services, Dr. Reddy urged IDRBT to focus on the quality of services in
each of these areas and innovate constantly.
Shri C. S. Rao, Chairman, IRDA, delivered the Special Address on “Emergence
of Bancassurance Market in India and Relevance of Information Technology”
and Shri. G. N. Bajpai, Chairman, SEBI, expressed his views on “Role
of IT in Stock Market Regulation and Linkages with the Banking Sector,”
on the occasion.
Earlier,
Shri. Vepa Kamesam, Chairman, IDRBT, Governing Council, initiated the
proceedings with the "Welcome
Address", wherein he exhorted the banks to
make demands from IDRBT so that the Institute can make more contributions
to the Sector. Dr. V.P.Gulati, Director, IDRBT, then presented "IDRBT's
Activity Report", in which he charted out achievements of the
Institute and also spelt out his plans for the road ahead. The top-management of most of the Banks and FIs were
present on this very special occasion. |