A two-day State-Level Conference of Women Directors of Urban and District Central Cooperative Banks concluded on a highly positive note at Discover Resort, Neral (Karjat), sending a strong message about the growing leadership role of women in the cooperative banking sector.
The conference witnessed the enthusiastic participation of over 350 women directors and senior executives from across Maharashtra, making it one of the most significant gatherings of women leaders in the cooperative sector.
Addressing the conference, Vidyadhar Anaskar, Chairman of the Administrative Board, Maharashtra State Co-operative Bank (MSC Bank), explained the vision behind organizing the women-centric conference. He provided in-depth guidance on the strategic role of women directors in bank management, urging them to actively contribute to strengthening governance, enhancing institutional credibility, and building public trust in cooperative banks.
Adding a vibrant cultural dimension to the event, programmes showcasing the diverse talents of women directors were organized under the guidance of Ms. Sayali Bhoir, General Manager, MSC Bank, and Ms. Sonali Kadam, CEO, Brihan Mumbai Nagari Sahakari Banks’ Association Ltd., which received an enthusiastic response from participants.
The conference was jointly organized by the Maharashtra State Co-operative Bank (MSC Bank) and the Brihan Mumbai Nagari Sahakari Banks’ Association Ltd., Mumbai, with the objective of empowering women directors and enhancing the public image and governance standards of cooperative institutions.
Senior officials from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and NABARD addressed the gathering and shared valuable insights into regulatory expectations and supervisory mechanisms. Rajender Kumar, General Manager, RBI, Ms. Pinny Raji Radhakrishnan, Deputy General Manager, RBI, and Ms. Smriti Bhagat, General Manager, NABARD, elaborated on the evolving regulatory framework and emphasized the crucial role of women directors in ensuring compliance, transparency, and financial discipline in cooperative banks.
The conference also featured expert sessions on contemporary and socially relevant themes. Advocate Jayashree Nangare delivered an engaging presentation on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its growing relevance in the banking sector, while Ms. Chetali Jadhav addressed issues related to women’s safety and personality development, drawing widespread appreciation from the delegates.
Participants expressed confidence that the knowledge and training gained during the conference would significantly support them in discharging their responsibilities as board members. Several delegates also appealed for such women directors’ conferences to be organized annually.
A key outcome of the highly successful conference was the decision to establish an independent forum for women directors, under the leadership of the Maharashtra State Co-operative Bank, to address challenges faced by women in cooperative bank governance and to promote continuous capacity building.
