Page 41 - Banking Finance June 2024

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is a step towards a more prosperous and inclusive financial of finance in the country. Their travels are a source of
landscape in India. inspiration and empowerment for future generations.

Naina Lal Kidwai, Arundhati Bhattacharya, Shyamala Incentive schemes of Government of
Gopinath, Shikha Sharma etc. are among the most powerful India
women in the field of finance. Naina Lal Kidwai is in many
ways a trailblazer among Indian women in finance, and the The Government of India has taken various planned and
first woman to head a foreign bank in India. Arundhati statutory steps and made enabling provisions to ensure
Bhattacharya is the first woman to head the State Bank of participation of women in various professions. Under the
India, when she was appointed chairperson in 2013. Her Skill India Mission, to increase the employability of women
contribution was so remarkable - especially during the workers, the government is providing training to them
merger of five associate banks of SBI in 2017 - that she was through a network of Women Industrial Training Institutes,
listed by Forbes as the 25th most powerful woman in the National Vocational Training Institutes and Regional
world in 2016. Vocational Training Institutes.
In India, reforms have been outlined to enable overall
Shyamala Gopinath Reserve Bank of India's Deputy
Governor, clearly marking her place as one of the most development, socio-economic and health security of women.
Since independence, several government flagships schemes
powerful women in finance. Shikha Sharma is an economist
and programs have been launched to improve the stature
and banker who held the position of Managing Director and
CEO of Axis Bank, India's third largest private bank, between of rural women in society by creating livelihood opportunities
and engagement in paid employment. Various schemes,
2009 and 2018. Zareen Daruwala, former CEO of Standard
such as Prime Minister Employment Generation Program
Chartered Bank India, has had a significant impact in the
(PMEGP), National Livelihood Mission, Deen Dayal
banking sector. Her leadership and financial acumen have
Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY), Pradhan
earned her recognition and respect. Ranjana Kumar, former
Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Beti Bachao Beti
chairperson of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural
Padhao, Pradhan Mantri Matra Vandana Yojana ( PMMVY),
Development (NABARD), has made her mark in the field of
etc. have contributed significantly to gender equality and
agricultural finance. Her achievements exemplify what
socio-economic empowerment of women in India.
women can achieve in finance.
Now, rural women are gaining access to education,
The success stories of these remarkable women in the
productive resources, capacity building, skill development,
services sector serve as a testament to the unlimited
health care facilities and diverse livelihood opportunities
potential of women in India's financial sector. They have not
through government beneficiary schemes.
only broken glass ceilings but also redefined the landscape
Government and non-government bodies have started to
pay more attention and encouragement to the economic
status of women through self-employment and business
ventures. They have formulated various policies and
programs to promote women entrepreneurs in the country
and have implemented various Incentive schemes. Such
incentive and incentive schemes have inspired women to
become business consultants.

Women entrepreneurs can be seen everywhere in India's
start-up ecosystem. Women are also seen leaving their high-
profile jobs as well as coming out of the confines of their
homes and joining the field of entrepreneurship in India. The

36 | 2024 | JUNE | BANKING FINANCE