As part of country-wide Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations, J&K Bank commemorated 75 years of the country’s independence with great fervor and joy. MD & CEO Baldev Prakash unfurled the national tricolor on 76th Independence Day here at the Bank's Corporate Headquarters in presence of General Managers, Deputy General Managers, Departmental Incharges and other senior officers of the Bank.
On the occasion, the Bank also organised an Azadi-rally of cyclists from the Bank’s Corporate Headquarters. Leading the Bank staff during the cycle rally himself, MD & CEO Baldev Prakash called the rally a grand celebration of spirit of patriotism to commemorate the contribution of people who have worked tirelessly with determination for the freedom of nation.
The flag-hoisting ceremony concluded with the National Anthem, where after MD & CEO Baldev Prakash spoke about the importance of the day in the life of nation saying, “As we celebrate this 15th of August with colleagues, friends, family and loved ones, please take a minute to remember and reflect on how truly fortunate we are to be able to celebrate our independence and freedom, and express our gratitude by paying obeisance to the many who have given the ultimate sacrifice for us.”
While invoking the rich institutional legacy of the Bank to pay homage to the visionary founders of the great institution and refresh the collective resolve of serving the people through financial empowerment, MD & CEO Baldev Prakash said, “From very humble beginning in 1938, broadly coinciding with the country’s Independence Seventy Five Years ago, our total business was Rs 1.69 Cr with annual profit of Rs 29000 which has phenomenally grown to Rs 1.85 Lac Crore of business and over Rs. 500 crores of annual profit.”
“But more than the institutional growth, we have been proud partners in the growth story of the country and in particular our real achievement reflects in the hugely transformed socio-economic landscape of J&K and Ladakh.
The Bank has touched the lives of millions and our sense of accomplishment is exhibited in the smiles of our innumerable customers spread across the country. And all this has been made possible only by the unwavering support of our stake holders primarily our promoters i.e. UT Government, growing confidence of our investors, sustained loyalty of our customers and unmistakable commitment of our staff members for which we extend our whole-hearted gratitude on this auspicious occasion”, he added.
Terming golden values like dedication, discipline and drive for excellence as the key take-away from today’s grand celebrations for the Bank as a futuristic organisation, he asserted, “The Bank is progressing with an encouraging bottom-line with upward movement on most operational parameters, I see a New Dawn of Glory awaiting us as we move ahead to accomplish our ‘Mission 2.22 Lac Crore’ business by the end of this financial year.”
Besides acknowledging achievements at all the levels throughout the journey, Baldev Prakash emphasized upon action, saying, “This is the time of action, not mere words. The time when all of us must pursue the betterment of the institution and pledge our allegiance to the Nation so that we respond to the New Dawn of Glory with full vigor, enthusiasm and redouble our efforts to realize our future goals aimed at personal, institutional and national excellence.”
Notably, for the first time, MD & CEO felicitated the persons-of-distinction from the support staff posted at CHQ - like carpenters, sweepers, gardeners, security guards etc. whose efforts and contributions don't usually get the requisite acknowledgement - for their dedicated service and extra-ordinary efforts at the CHQ during the year. MD & CEO handed over a Letter of Appreciation along with a memento to each one of them on the occasion.
Significantly, as part of the celebrations of progressive India on this Independence Day, the Bank has decided to offer additional 75 bps on the Term Deposits of Senior Citizen customers of the Bank and retired Bank staff for a period of 3 months starting from 15 August, 2022 to 15 November, 2022. The deposits must be contracted for a period of at least one year.
Meanwhile, the flag-hoisting ceremonies were held at the all the controlling offices and various branches of the Bank across the country with Divisional, Zonal, Cluster and Branch Heads raising the tri-colour at their respective workplaces. Besides highlighting the significance of Independence Day, persons-of-distinction from all these controlling offices were also felicitated by the respective heads on the occasion.