Domestic outreach program organized by RBI at Gujarat Vidyapith

Under the aegis of India’s Presidency of the G20 and in the run-up to the 3rd Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) and Finance and Central Bank Deputies (FCBD) meetings, scheduled from July 14-18, 2023 in Gandhinagar, with a view to creating wider awareness and involvement, a Domestic outreach program was organized by Reserve Bank of India,  Ahmedabad at Gujarat Vidyapith, Ahmedabad on July 05, 2023. The program was attended by around 350 students and faculty of the university.

At the outset, Shri Bharat Joshi, Vice-Chancellor of the university welcomed all participants and officials. Thereafter, Shri Rajesh Kumar, Regional Director, Reserve Bank of India set the stage by outlining purpose and framework of the event.

This was followed by a session on Electronic Banking and Awareness wherein students were familiarised about electronic banking, customer grievance redressal mechanism and basics of cyber safety. The session concluded with an engaging quiz, in which the students participated actively.

Thereafter, a Panel Discussion on ‘Aligning Sustainable Development Goals to changing paradigm of an inter- connected world’ was chaired by Shri B K Singhal, Chief General Manager, NABARD, Ahmedabad. During the discussion, the panelists viz. Shri Sunil Parekh, Chief Corporate Affairs Advisor at Zydus group; Dr. Prem Mishra, Dean and HoD Gandhian Philosophy at Gujarat Vidyapith;

Dr. Satyajeet S Deshpande, Associate Professor, Central University of Gujarat, Gandhinagar; Shri Lalit Narayan Singh Sandu, IAS, Managing Director, Gujarat State Handloom & Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited and Dr. Jharna Pathak, Director In-Charge, GIDR and Secretary, Ahmedabad Womens’ Action Group (AWAG) put forth enlightening views regarding current and future scenarios of various Sustainable Development Goals.

While one of the panellists’ highlighted the Gandhian philosophy of sustainability and how it relates to the present dynamic world, another talked about inclusive growth and reduction of income disparity. The role of industrialisation and importance of climate resilient initiatives was deliberated and at the same time role of women in achieving sustainability was emphasised.

The discussion saw contrasting views leading towards a unanimous conclusion of sustainable living.   The program was very well received by students who gave a thunderous applause for the RBI team.