PNB Celebrates International Women’s Day
New Delhi: On International Women’s Day, Punjab National Bank (PNB), the nation’s foremost public sector bank, reiterated its dedication to gender equality, diversity, and inclusion, while also acknowledging the invaluable contributions made by women to both the organization and society at large. The event unfolded at PNB’s Corporate Office in New Delhi and was graced by Chief Guest Reena Kaushal Dharmshaktu, the pioneering Indian woman to ski from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole, along with PNB Executive Directors Shri Kalyan Kumar, Shri Binod Kumar, Shri Bibhu Prasad Mahapatra, and CVO Shri Raghvendra Kumar, accompanied by PNB staff members.
Addressing the esteemed audience, Chief Guest Reena Kaushal Dharmshaktu shared her life journey, highlighting how success can be attained through diligence, perseverance, and passion. She encouraged the audience to recognize the incredible potential within each of them.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Kalyan Kumar, Executive Director of PNB, remarked, “Women have historically played pivotal roles in community upliftment, whether during the freedom struggle or in contemporary times. Despite their significant contributions across various domains such as science, technology, politics, literature, and the arts, women remain underrepresented in senior leadership positions. Cultural norms and societal expectations regarding domestic responsibilities disproportionately affect women, posing challenges in balancing work and family duties, often resulting in career interruptions or limited advancement opportunities. To address this, we have introduced the Jagruti Leadership Programme for our female staff, enabling them to interact with and be mentored by eminent women leaders. Additionally, we have implemented various HR initiatives such as on-site childcare facilities, transfer policies facilitating proximity to home, and gender diversity policies.”
“The UN campaign theme – Inspire Inclusion – underscores the importance of organizations harnessing the full potential of their diverse workforce to drive innovation and foster a culture where everyone feels empowered to excel. At PNB, we are committed to fostering an environment where everyone, irrespective of gender, feels valued and empowered to unleash their potential. We recognize the significance of maintaining a work-life balance, as it is vital for promoting physical and mental well-being, enhancing productivity and creativity, nurturing positive relationships, fostering a conducive workplace culture, and ensuring sustained individual and organizational success,” added the PNB ED.
In further support of women customers, PNB has introduced “PNB MATRITVA” – a new variant of Personal Loan tailored for salaried women, covering hospital expenses during and after childbirth.
PNB offers various financial services to promote financial inclusion and empower women, including vehicle loans (PNB Power Ride Scheme) and education loans (PNB Saraswati, PNB Kaushal, and PNB Udaan).
As part of the celebrations, PNB, in collaboration with PNB PRERNA, an association comprising senior women officials of the bank and the wives of senior bank officials, donated a cheque to the Cancer Awareness, Prevention and Early Detection (CAPED) Trust for conducting Cervical Cancer Awareness workshops. PNB also extended support to the N.S. Educational and Charitable Society, which aids women and children through their initiative ‘Maika’.
