Values neglected, rues veteran banker

K M Udupa feted on his 75th bday

The present literate generation is after money following which there is a need for self retrospection amongst all of us, lamented veteran banker K M Udupa.

Speaking after receiving the honour at the felicitation ceremony organised on his 75th birthday celebrations by K M Udupa Abhinandana Samiti, he said today we lack the idea of being Indian. Sarcastically, the ever sacred values that are highly respected around the globe even till date are looked down in its own soil. “There is a need to react to the bonding of humanity.”

Speaking after felicitating the banker, Minister for Port, Inland Water Transport and Muzrai Kota Srinivas Poojary said Udupa is the revolutionist who ushered in several innovative ideas in the field of rural empowerment. He has lit countless homes by offering financial aid for solar power facilities, he added.

Lauding the contributions of K M Udupa to the field of banking, Dharmadhikari Dr Veerendra Hegde said Udupa is a total banker. He committed himself to the welfare of the customers and is the catalytic force behind making rural people financial empowered through banking services.

He selflessly thrived for the upliftment of the poor and jobless in rural areas. “Owing to the success of rural banking service, today we have nearly 520 RUDSET branches across India.”

Briefing over the accomplishment of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Programme (SKDRDP) in empowering rural women, Heggade said SKDRDP has networks in more than 13 districts in the State. There is nearly Rs 6 crores turnover with around 1700 crores outstanding, he added.

Hande speaks

Delivering the talk on “Building up of social industries,” Magsaysay award winner Harish Hande said the politicians and economists in India are under the wrong impression that globalisation is the solution for the development of the country. In the process, they are ignoring the progress of rural areas.

India comprises of nearly 75 per cent of villages. The country will remain underdeveloped until the villages in India are developed. ITBT concept will not work out, Hande  added.

He said the country’s future lies in the villages. There is no hope for urbanization and globalization.
Hande said the documentary mention in the file of Jawaharlal Nehru Solar Mission project refers to the process of banking facilities offering financial assistance to procure solar power amenities.

However, the idea has its root in Udupa’s thoughts and sarcastically Udupa’s name has not been mentioned anywhere, nor he has been given the credit for his innovative thoughts by the government.

He worked for making solar lights popular in rural areas when he was heading Grameen Malaprabha bank. Hande urged that a volume on Udupa’s achievements should be brought out to make the future generation aware of his accomplishments.