"Every bank should conduct a Town Hall event in a chosen state entirely in the local language. In this regard, they may coordinate with Reserve Bank’s Customer Service Department and Department of Communication to draw up a programme. This will be our collective effort to reach out to people in their own language".
Dr. D. Subbarao, Governor, Reserve Bank of India appealed to the banks today at Mumbai while awarding the Rajbhasha Shields for the year 2010-2011.
Explaining the background of the appeal, Governor said that every year in the month of October Reserve Bank has been conducting town hall meetings. Usually these meetings are conducted in Tier II cities. While recollecting the RBI's experiences in such meetings he said that the questions in Hindi reflect a different set of concerns from those that are asked in English. The Hindi questions typically reflect middle class anxieties and aspirations. The grievances they bring about are different, more common and more intractable. "Listening to these questions in Hindi and attempting to answer them has been a great learning experience for me and for the Deputy Governors of RBI who participate in the Town Hall events along with me". Dr. Subbarao also encouraged the banks to take the lead in conducting town hall events to provide a forum for interacting with the public and for listening to their grievances, and suggestions. Adding that five such programmes have already been conducted, he appealed to the banks to conduct similar town hall events.
The annual Reserve Bank Rajbhasha Shield was instituted in 1980 to encourage public sector banks to use Hindi in their day-to-day work. The Reserve Bank also conducts a competition for the house journals of banks and financial institutions. The Reserve Bank started an Inter-Bank Hindi Essay Competition from 2002-03. List of winners is enclosed.
On this occasion Dr. Subir Gokarn, Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India while complimenting the prize winning banks and financial institutions said that the banking scenario has been changing in a rapid pace. Technology advancement has brought changes in the working pattern of banking. With the implementation of packages like core banking solutions (CBS), language issues are being resolved easily. He expressed his happiness that the banks have started issuing pass books in Hindi through CBS.
Earlier, Shri Bazil Shaikh, Chief General Manager, Human Resource Management Department welcomed the Chief Executives of banks and financial institutions. Dr. Ramakant Gupta, Deputy General Manager, Rajbhasha Department, Reserve Bank of India conducted the programme and also proposed a vote of thanks.
The function was attended by chairmen and other senior executives of banks and financial institutions.
Alpana Killawala
Chief General Manager
Press Release : 2011-2012/2106 |