From the Joint Director’s Desk

I am pleased to assume charge as Joint Director of BIRD Mangaluru. Over the years, BIRD Mangaluru has been delivering capacity‑building programmes for Commercial Banks, RRBs, Cooperative Banks, NBFCs, FPOs, NGOs, and other partners across key areas such as rural banking, green finance, enterprise development, and livelihoods.

Rural Financial Institutions (RFIs) have played a pivotal role in supporting economic growth and have evolved from traditional credit providers to enablers of inclusive development. This transformation has expanded the reach of bank finance across agriculture, industry, services, and business sectors, while integrating financially excluded populations and adopting digital platforms.

RFIs—particularly Rural Cooperative Banks—have gained renewed prominence with the establishment of the Ministry of Cooperation by the Government of India. Similarly, RRBs have strengthened following government initiatives, including recapitalisation and consolidation under the “One State, One RRB” framework.

Since its inception in 1984, BIRD Mangaluru has focused on building capacity among banking and rural development stakeholders through high-quality, industry-aligned training. In response to rapid technological advancements and evolving needs in agriculture and rural development, we are expanding our training offerings. Alongside regular programmes, we will design customised initiatives to meet specific requirements of client banks and partners.

I look forward to a year of innovation, collaboration, and meaningful capacity building.

Shri V Rajaraman