Port Blair, March 10: The Lt Governor, Lt Gen (Retd) Bhopinder Singh and the First Lady of Islands, Smt Bhawanee Singh today inaugurated the first all women bank branch of A&N State Cooperative bank located at Garacharma-II, South Andaman during the inaugural session of the seminar on ‘women empowerment’, organised by the A&N State Cooperative Bank Ltd. on the occasion of International Women’s Day at Municipal Ground, Anarkali.
The Lt Governor also launched low interest rate loan schemes for women such as education loan for girls, marriage loan for girls, medical treatment loan for women and micro insurance scheme for SHGs started by the State Cooperative bank for the welfare of women of the Islands. The Lt Governor on the occasion gave away loan amount under each of the scheme to some of the beneficiaries. He also felicitated some of the eminent women of the Islands for their dedicated services towards the society and released a souvenir brought out by the bank to mark the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, the Lt Governor expressed happiness over the large congregation of women to participate in the seminar on ‘women empowerment’, organised by A&N State Cooperative Bank to commemorate the occasion. He stated that the International Women’s Day is observed on 8th March throughout the world to strive for a world based on gender equality. It is a day to celebrate the spirit of ordinary women, who have played extraordinary role in shaping their families, communities, society and the country. He further stated that women’s participation in the political and economic activities of a society enriches the fabric of a nation. Many women of our country have reached high positions and many others are doing well in different spheres and even in profession once unthinkable for women.
Lauding the A&N State Cooperative Bank for opening the first women bank branch at Garacharma-II, South Andaman and also for launching various loan schemes for the welfare of women folks in a very low interest rate, he stated that the bank has been implementing welfare schemes for the socio-economic development of the Islands. The launch of the loan schemes will further help in the upliftment of the women folks, especially women from economically weaker sections of the society. He called upon the women to come forward in large numbers and avail maximum benefit of various schemes implemented by the bank by forming Self Help Groups. He also assured all possible help and support of the Administration to the bank in its endeavour to provide help and assistance of the poor and needy women of the Islands.
Referring to the contribution of women in the overall development of the Islands, he stated that women in the Islands have done extremely well and excelled in every field. The holding of the post of Chairpersons of both the Zilla Parishads in the Islands by women and medal winning performance by the tsunami affected islands sportsperson, top Cyclists, Deborah in the International level cycling competition is testimony to the fact that women of the Islands have proved that they are no less compared to anybody, he stated.
He further stated that women’s contribution to the development of a good family, a compassionate society and a progressive nation is unmatched and urged all the women present on the occasion to inculcate good values in their children so that they can become better citizens.
Earlier, welcoming the chief guest and others, the Vice Chairman, A&N State Cooperative Bank, Port Blair, Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma stated that the bank has decided to launch various low interest loan schemes for the economically weaker sections of the society to provide them with the much needed support and assistance. He expressed his gratitude towards the Lt Governor for enhancing the pension of the economically weaker section from Rs 1000/- to Rs 2000 pm.
The Deputy General Manager, NABARD, Shri Anantha Krishnan in his brief address stated that NABARD will extend all support to the A&N State Cooperative Bank in their endeavour to reach out to the people, especially women and SHGs in remote areas. NABARD is also providing training facilities to the SHGs members so that they can start their own self-employment ventures, he stated.
The Managing Director, A&N State Cooperative Bank Ltd, Shri Ravinder Rao gave a detailed report of the activities of the bank including the further developmental plans of bank such as launching of door step banking, core banking proposal, opening of 10 more banks, enhancing the number of account holders etc. He also informed that the distribution of the increased pension amount for senior citizen/old-age will be started in the Islands from the month of April 2013.
The function concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by the Chairman, A&N State Cooperative Bank, Shri Bhagat Singh.
The Chairperson, Tribal Council, Nancowry, Chairperson, PBMC, Adhyakshas of the two Zilla Parishad of the Islands, Chairperson, SWB, women social workers, senior officers of the Administration, Municipal Councillors, PRI members and members of the various Self Help Groups also attended the function.