Seminar on ‘changing landscape of Indian banking sector’ held at Gauhati University

GUWAHATI: A national seminar on the "Changing Landscape of the Indian Banking Sector" at IIBM on Friday was organized by the Indian Institute of Bank Management (IIBM), Guwahati, and the Department of Economics, Gauhati University. The seminar was to discuss the various challenges and opportunities that have arisen in the Indian banking sector.

Sanjeev Singha, the Regional Director, RBI; Naveen Dhingra, Chief General Manager, NABARD; Eugene E. Karthak, Director, IIBM; and Prof. Ratul Mahanta, Head of Department, Dept. of Economics, Gauhati University, were present at the inaugural session.

Dr. Abhijit Sharma, Professor, IIBM, started the proceedings by giving his opening remarks and setting the context for the seminar. This was followed by the inaugural address by Eugene E. Karthak, Director, IIBM. Karthak stated that in the last few years, the Indian banking sector has undergone significant changes in terms of market structure, processes, systems, etc. Digitization and customization of products and services have led to more opportunities for banks. But there are also challenges posed by increased risks in cyber fraud, more compliance, which has increased costs, competition, etc.

Sanjeev Singha, Regional Director, RBI, provided the perspective of the regulator in guiding the transformation process of the banks. Naveen Dhingra, Chief General Manager, NABARD, spoke on the role of banks in the agricultural and rural development of the country.

Dr. Syed Sultan Kazi, CEO of the Council for Social and Digital Development, Guwahati, presented a paper on "Financial Education, Counselling, and Services for the Digitally Unbanked and Unconnected Communities in Assam and NER: Learnings and Possibilities". Avinash Chandra, Head GTM, MSME, shared his experience with Space Money in providing innovative banking services and products to rural areas through digital technology. Prof. Ratul Mahanta, Head of Department, Department of Economics, Gauhati University, offered the vote of thanks, where he appreciated the role of IIBM in trying to forge industry-academia connections.

This was followed by technical sessions I and II, where papers were presented on financial inclusion and customer service. The first session was moderated by Prof. Abhijit Sharma, Professor, IIBM, where papers were presented on financial inclusion, and the second session was moderated by Prof. Ratul Mahanta, HoD, Department of Economics, Gauhati University, where papers were presented on customer service and related areas. The final session was the valedictory session, where Eugene E. Karthak, Director, IIBM, talked about the initiative being taken by IIBM to train students to crack the bank exams and get placed in both public sector and private sector banks, stated a press release.

Also Read: National Education Policy 2020: Government colleges not to hold entrance exams in Guwahati

Also Watch: