Ranjana Kumar
Ranjana Kumar, was (from 2005) Vigilance Commissioner in Central Vigilance Commission, after her retirement as Chairperson of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) is a prominent Indian banker. When the Government of India appointed her as the Chairperson and managing Director of the Indian Bank, she became the first woman to become head of a public sector bank in India. At the time of her appointment, the Indian Bank was saddled with huge losses, and during her tenure she ensured the turnaround of the Indian Bank.
She had begun her banking career in 1966 as a probationary officer in Bank of India, where she served in various capacities.
Early life
Ranjana Kumar’s father was working in the Air Force of India, and her father’s transfers to different air bases took her to different places in India. She was educated in different places in different schools, including schools located in Mumbai, Kolkata, Kanpur, and Coimbatore. She once recalled that she always found her a the newcomer at school. She graduated from Women’s college, Hyderabad. Although she had a dream to pursue a career in medical profession, she could not secure a seat in a medical college.
She also did a course in music (namely, Sangeet Bhushan), and in Hindi (namely, Virashad). She also learnt a bit of Bharat Natyam and Kathak. She also became a good orator, representing her college in several inter-collegiate debate and elocution competitions. She got admitted in the Osmania University (Hyderabad), to pursue a post-graduation course in Public administration. At that point, Bank of India, one of the premier commercial bank of India, came with an offer of job to her, and she joined the Bank as a probationary officer in February 1966.
Quotes
Some selected quotes from Kumar are:
"Women play many roles in our society. A clear understanding of the demands of these roles coupled with a well-balanced approach in life can go a long way in enabling a woman to do justice to her balancing act."
"Happiness at home is extremely essential for mental and physical well-being."
References
- The Voyage To Excellence (ISBN 81-223-0904-6) by Nichinta Amarnath and Debashish Ghosh