54TH NIBM FOUNDATION DAY CELEBRATIONS

September 24, 2023 marked the completion of the institute's 54 glorious years since its inception in 1969. This year's Foundation Day celebrations were also filled with varied official and informal events. The day started on a high note with the Foundation Day Lecture titled, 'Geopolitics in an Era of Flux: Challenges and Opportunities for India' by the Chief Guest, Shri. Gautam Bambawale, Former Indian Ambassador to Bhutan, Pakistan and China. He was introduced by Prof. Partha Ray, Director - NIBM and accorded a rousing welcome by the audience comprising distinguished academicians and banking industry professionals apart from the faculty, staff and students of NIBM. The Director in his welcome address expounded on the grand vision and strategic mission of the institute as he narrated the formation and evolution of NIBM punctuated with lesser known facts and facets of the institute.

In December 1967, the RBI appointed a Working Group on 'Training Facilities for Senior and Middle-Level Personnel of Commercial Banks', under the chairmanship of Shri. B. N. Adarkar, Deputy Governor - RBI. The Working Group assessed the training gaps in the banking sector and felt the need for an apex institute to increase and enhance the available human resource pool of senior and middle-level bank executives in commercial banks. NIBM was thus conceived as the nucleus of all training and development activity in the Indian banking sector. Dr. N. C. Mehta, an eminent banker cum academician, assumed charge as the Founder-Director of the institute on March 1, 1969. In the initial stages, it operated from the erstwhile Bankers Training College of RBI at Dadar, Mumbai and later moved to its own office premises at Napean Sea Road, Mumbai. On September 24, 1969, the institute was formally registered as a society and since then it has been celebrated as the 'Foundation Day' of NIBM. Sixteen years later, NIBM shifted to its present 60-acre Pune campus in 1985 in order to accommodate the burgeoning growth of the institute.

Shri. Bambawale, in his speech (https://www.nibmindia.org/speeches-by-eminent-visitors/), acknowledged the status of NIBM as the nation's preeminent training and research institution with respect to Indian banking whilst appreciating the institute's stellar contribution to the nation's BFSI sector at large. His engaging lecture delved deep into the interconnected geopolitical factors that not only influence our relations with our neighbours, but also impact the economy. He highlighted that India's strong stand with some of its belligerent neighbours as compared to its nuanced stance on contemporary global conflagrations are based on the intricacies of international relations, and the interplay of existing and emerging superpowers. This was brought out in a lucid manner via analyses of the Russia-Ukraine war, Indo-China skirmishes at Galwan, US-China trade war, the Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) and other similar alliances. The session ended with a vote of thanks by Prof. Arindam Bandyopadhyay, Dean (Academic Programme) - NIBM.

The post-lunch session was a medley of fun and games wherein the PGDM students put on a comedy skit, followed by enthralling classical and enthusiastic Bollywood dance performances by the staff members. The later part of the event witnessed eager participation in the brain-racking quiz contest conducted by the faculty. As the day ended with wonderful prizes for the winners and pleasant memories for everyone, it was also an apt occasion to remember the pioneering work of the past and introspect about what more can be done as the institute heads towards greater milestones with diligence and dedication to the inspiring vision of our founders.

The Chief Guest, Shri. Gautam Bambawale, Former Indian Ambassador to Bhutan, Pakistan and China, delivering the 'Foundation Day Lecture'.

Prof. Partha Ray, Director - NIBM, expounding the vision and mission of the institute.

Prof. Arindam Bandyopadhyay, Dean (Academic Programme) - NIBM, giving the vote of thanks.