Tag: Government of India

Finance

Bank of Baroda Wins First Prize in Rajbhasha Kirti Puraskar for Excellence in Official Language Use

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Written by Intern Queeny George M.H, Team Allycaral

Bank of Baroda, one of India’s foremost public sector banks, has been honoured with the First Prize under the Government of India’s prestigious Rajbhasha Kirti Puraskar scheme for the year 2024–2025. This award recognises the bank’s exceptional contribution to the promotion and effective use of Hindi as the official language across its services and operations.

The award ceremony took place on 14 September 2025, during the Hindi Day celebration and the Fifth All India Official Language Conference held at the Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre, Gandhinagar. The honour was conferred by the Hon’ble Union Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah.

Accepting the award on behalf of the bank was Dr. Debadatta Chand, Managing Director and CEO of Bank of Baroda. He was accompanied by Executive Director Ms. Beena Vaheed and Mr. Sanjay Singh, Head of Official Language and Parliamentary Committee.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Chand expressed the bank’s commitment to inclusivity through language. “This award reflects the bank’s sensitivity towards its millions of customers who interact in Hindi and other Indian languages and feel more comfortable availing banking services in their native languages,” he said.

Bank of Baroda has significantly expanded its multilingual capabilities across its digital platforms, including its flagship mobile banking app BoB World and WhatsApp Banking services. The bank also ensures that transaction-related SMS, chatbot conversations, and customer support are accessible in Indian languages, fostering a more inclusive and user-friendly banking environment.

The Rajbhasha Kirti Puraskar is one of the highest honours awarded by the Government of India to institutions for outstanding performance in implementing the official language policy. This recognition positions Bank of Baroda not only as a leader in banking services but also as a pioneer in promoting linguistic inclusion in the financial sector.

With this award, Bank of Baroda reinforces its commitment to enhancing customer experience by speaking the language of its people – both literally and technologically.

Events in Goa

Department of Telecom Hosts West Zone Security Conference 2025 in Goa

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Written by Intern Queeny George M.H, Team Allycaral

The Department of Telecommunication (DoT), Ministry of Communications, Government of India, successfully hosted the annual Zonal Security Conference for the West Zone on 3rd September 2025 at Cavelossim, South Goa. Themed “Sashakt Sanchar, Abhinav Suraksha”, the conference brought together key stakeholders from the telecom industry, law enforcement agencies, and financial institutions to deliberate on the evolving landscape of telecom security and cyber coordination.

Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Secretary (Telecom) and Chairman of the Digital Communication Commission, delivered the keynote address at the inaugural session. In his remarks, he underscored the rising misuse of telecom resources in tandem with rapid technological and infrastructural growth. He highlighted the Department’s proactive efforts to bolster cyber resilience through collaborative platforms. One such significant initiative, the Sanchar Saathi portal, was praised for empowering citizens in the collective fight against telecom fraud. “Over 14 crore users have already benefitted from this initiative,” he noted.

The inaugural session also featured addresses by Shri R K Goyal, Special Director General, Maharashtra LSA, Ms Sunita Chandra, Director General (Telecom), Ms Shubha Bhambhani, Additional Director General (Telecom), Shri Deb Kumar Chakrabarti, Member (Security), DoT, and Shri An Khare, Advisor (Operations), DoT. Over 100 representatives from Central Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs), Licensed Service Areas (LSAs) of West Zone states and union territories, along with officials from telecom service providers and financial institutions, participated in the conference.

Throughout the day, the event hosted several focused sessions covering a range of critical topics, including telecom supply chain security, cyber crime prevention, and the strategic use of telecom network intelligence by enforcement agencies. The discussions highlighted the need for continued collaboration and technological innovation to safeguard the nation’s digital infrastructure.

EduConnect

Over 8,000 Central Govt Jobs in Goa Linked to Konkani Language Status: Sandesh Prabhudesai

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In a compelling address at the 33rd Rashtramanyatai Dis held at S S Angle Higher Secondary School, Mashem, Canacona, veteran journalist and researcher Sandesh Prabhudesai brought to light a significant but overlooked employment opportunity for the youth of Goa: more than 8,000 central government and bank jobs that remain unutilized, despite being accessible under existing language policies due to Konkani’s inclusion in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

Prabhudesai pointed out that once a language is listed in the Eighth Schedule, the three-language formula (Hindi, English, and the regional language) comes into effect for public-facing roles in central institutions. In Goa, this should mean that any central or public-sector job that involves interaction with the public — from post offices to banks — requires proficiency in Konkani, and such staff cannot be transferred outside the state.

He cited the President’s Order of 1960, which mandates that all signage, publications, and public communications in central offices and banks must be in Hindi, English, and the regional language — Konkani in Goa’s case. “This rule is followed all over India, but not in Goa. Our youth have lost 33 years of job opportunities because the state government has failed to implement this,” Prabhudesai remarked.

He further explained that under the Official Language Resolution of 1968, the Parliament has required that all laws, rules, orders, and circulars be translated into the regional language. This not only enhances accessibility and inclusivity but could also create hundreds of translator jobs, especially with national publishers like the National Book Trust, who are mandated to translate literature into scheduled languages.

Goa has close to 1,000 such establishments, including 42 central and semi-government institutions, 258 post offices, and nearly 700 bank branches. Prabhudesai emphasized that even training and examinations for such posts should be conducted in Konkani to ensure fair access for local candidates.

He concluded by calling out the Goa government for its long-standing inaction, urging them to leverage these constitutionally backed provisions to create meaningful employment and linguistic justice for Goan youth.

The event was organized by Kankon Konkani Kala Kendra and S S Angle Higher Secondary School, with Principal Hemant Kamat welcoming the guests. Suraj Komarpant, Secretary of KKKK, introduced the speaker. Abhijeet Pagi, a Konkani teacher, also addressed the gathering, and veteran Konkani writer Kamalakar Mhalshi delivered the vote of thanks.

Finance

Exim Bank Pays ₹325 Cr Dividend to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for FY 2024-25

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In a significant financial development, Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank) has presented a dividend cheque of ₹325 crore to Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, the Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, for the fiscal year 2024-25.

The cheque was handed over by Smt. Harsha Bangari, Managing Director of India Exim Bank, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to financial prudence, profitability, and support for India’s global trade and development finance objectives.

Strengthening India’s Financial Backbone

As a premier export credit agency, Exim Bank plays a vital role in enhancing India’s international trade competitiveness. The dividend payout is reflective of the bank’s consistent performance and its role in aiding the country’s economic diplomacy through structured finance, project exports, and development initiatives across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

The Ministry of Finance has appreciated the continued commitment of public sector banks and financial institutions in delivering value to the nation, both in terms of financial contributions and their strategic roles in key sectors.

This substantial dividend follows Exim Bank’s broader mission of strengthening India’s external sector and enhancing the global footprint of Indian businesses.

EduConnect

Goa Business School Students Represent State at National Statistics Quiz, Anvesha 2.0

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Panjim, July 19, 2025: In a proud academic moment for Goa, students of MA Economics from Goa Business School participated in the Anvesha 2.0 quiz competition, a nationwide initiative focused on official statistics, organized by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Government of India.

Held at Kautilya Lekha Bhavan, Panjim, the event witnessed participation from top economics and statistics students across India. Anvesha 2.0 aims to foster awareness about the importance of data and official statistics in policymaking, governance, and nation-building.

The MA Economics team from Goa Business School showcased commendable analytical and quantitative skills, engaging in rigorous rounds covering national statistical systems, data interpretation, and real-world application of statistics in public administration.

This initiative reflects the increasing emphasis on data literacy and the growing role of academia in contributing to evidence-based policymaking. Events like Anvesha 2.0 not only bridge the gap between theory and practice but also encourage students to become active participants in India’s developmental story.

Faculty members from Goa Business School applauded the students’ initiative and emphasized the importance of encouraging data-driven thinking in higher education.