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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.

EduConnect

Vibrant Goa Foundation Hosts High-Level Zimbabwe Delegation for Education and Innovation Exchange

Tanisha Cardozo

Vibrant Goa Foundation, as part of its flagship Global Knowledge Outreach initiative, played host to a high-level educational delegation from Zimbabwe on the 8th of September, marking a significant milestone in fostering global collaborations in the fields of education, technology, and innovation. The visiting delegation was led by Mr. Moses Mhike, Permanent Secretary in Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, accompanied by Mrs. Olicah Kaira, Chief Director – Primary, Secondary and Non-Formal Education, and Mrs. Ashell Ruswa, CEO of Errymaple Group of Schools in Zvishavane. The visit was coordinated by Mr. Yogesh Kerkar, Managing Director of Qurious Minds, an emerging force in global educational exchange and innovation consulting.

The event, held as an Educational Round Table, brought together an array of influential voices from Goa’s academic and innovation ecosystem. Representing the Vibrant Goa Foundation were trustees Mr. Rajkumar Kamat, Mr. Arman Bankley, Mr. Manoj Patil, Mr. Vinay Verma, Mr. Rasik Naik, Mr. Dinesh Dhulapkar, Mr. Ajay Gramopadhya, Mr. Gautam Kharangate, and Mr. Milind Anvekar. Also participating were eminent representatives from Goa University, Don Bosco College of Engineering, Dhempo College, MES College, Directorate of Higher Education, Goa Institute of Management, Government Polytechnic and other leading institutions, making this gathering a truly collaborative one.

The discussions were vibrant and focused on a broad range of educational themes including the adoption of EdTech tools, STEM learning, GIS, Robotics, Drones, Learning Management Systems, and ICT solutions. The Zimbabwean delegation expressed deep appreciation for Goa’s forward-looking efforts in integrating technology at the school and university levels. The event served as a dynamic platform to explore synergies and initiate meaningful collaborations between Zimbabwe’s education system and Goa’s innovation-driven institutions.

A highlight of the discussion was the mutual recognition of the potential for long-term partnership, with Mr. Moses Mhike acknowledging the practical and strategic value of the knowledge shared during the visit. He emphasized that Zimbabwe sees Goa as a potential partner in transforming its own educational landscape. Adding to the momentum, Mr. Yogesh Kerkar noted that Qurious Minds has already embarked on a collaborative project with a Zimbabwean entity—evidence of how dialogues are translating into action.

The delegation also took note of the recent success of the Amazing Goa Summit, which further cemented Goa’s image as a global hub for innovation, education, and entrepreneurship. Mr. Rajkumar Kamat concluded the session with a forward-looking invitation to the delegates to participate in the forthcoming Global Tech Summit and Global Business Expo & Summit 2026.

This initiative reflects Vibrant Goa Foundation’s vision of driving Goa’s global engagement, supporting startups and educational institutions to expand internationally, and creating a vibrant ecosystem of innovation-led growth. The collaboration with Zimbabwe stands as a model for future partnerships, enabling the exchange of knowledge, expertise, and innovation that transcends borders.