Short of words to acknowledge unconditional support of JK Bank to facilitate the Pilgrims and Shrine Board – Simrandeep Singh

Chairman and CEO JK Bank today inaugurated 4 No. Automated Teller Machines –one  in Katra town at Chintamani   and three on the new Tarakote Track to the Holy Shrine in presence of the CEO Shrine Board Simrandeep Singh, office bearers of Hotel & Restaurant Association lead by Sh Shyam Lal Kesar & Rakesh Wazir, Bank’s  Executive Presidents PK Tickoo, RK Chhiber, President Rakesh Gandotra, Vice Presidents Sushil Gupta , Sudhir Gupta, Shareesh Sharma, Anand Pal Singh, Commandant CRPF Katra Jitendra Kumar Gupta,  Additional & Deputy CEOs Shrine Board, Chief Accounts Officer SMVDB Shrine Board along with senior officials of JK Bank & Shrine Board, prominent citizens of Katra  and a large number of employees of the Shrine Board.  

CEO Shrine Board Simrandeep Singh while acknowledging the developmental role of J&K Bank in the state economy and a strong relationship between the Shrine Board and J&K Bank said,” I am short of words to acknowledge unconditional support of JK Bank to facilitate the Pilgrims and Shrine Board much beyond the expectations of the Shrine Board and often transcending the commercial considerations which are paramount for financial institutions. This reflects the deep commitment of the bank and its management to strengthen the emotional equity of the bank in the state. The credit for this exemplary approach goes to the team of JK Bank under the people friendly & relationship oriented Chairman Parvez Ahmed.”

Addressing the audience in the auditorium of Shrine Board’s Spiritual Growth Centre in Katra, the Chairman & CEO JK Bank Parvez Ahmed after greeting the people of the state on the auspicious occasion of Chaitra Navratri said,” It is a matter of privilege for me to be the part of this divine place which symbolizes the vibrant culture of Jammu and its people who are an epitome of unity in diversity. Last year during the auspicious period of Navratras we dedicated 06 ATMS on the old route and today we have inaugurated 4 No. ATMs -one in Katra town  and three on the new Tarakote Track to the Holy Shrine. My congratulations to the Shrine Board for working relentlessly for upgrading the infrastructure to facilitate the millions of pilgrims from all across the world to Shri Maa Vaishno Devi shrine which offers a spiritual experience to the devotees”.

“Beneath the today’s initiative lies Bank’s endeavor to walk an extra mile, beyond the commercial objective to offer a hassle free transaction and banking experience to the yatris and do our share of “SEWA” towards the pilgrims who visit the holy shrine. These installations will also greatly benefit the Security personnel working round the clock at sensitive locations ,the local businessmen en route Yatra track and Shrine Board employees for their cash needs”. Added the Chairman
Lauding the contributions of the Shrine Board Parvez Ahmed added that the Shrine Board Katra have made an exemplary contribution not only by upgrading the facilities for the pilgrims but has also leveraged the donation corpus by investment in upgrading of social infrastructure by establishing modern universities, hospitals, gurukuls, meditation centres besides providing gainful employment to thousands of people in the state. It is he added is a fascinating case study in modern management concept which needs to be replicated all across the Shrines.

Elaborating further he said that JK Bank has during this relationship with the Shrine Board developed a rich legacy of partnering with all other stakeholders of pilgrim tourism like the traders, vendors, hoteliers, employees, micro enterprises etc. to facilitate all with our professional and relationship based banking services and are looking to replicate by opening Business Units at all major pilgrim destinations in the country.

Appreciating the efforts of the CEO Shrine Board Simrandeep Singh the Chairman JK Bank added, “As the infrastructure at the holy Shrine is embarking upon its transformation journey with the consistent efforts of the dynamic CEO Simrandeep with his  unparallel management approach, we are more than happy to be a part of this common vision towards improving the yatra experience and are looking forward to collaborate in more ways particularly in the initiative of sustainable Yatra by efficient management of solid waste and stabilization of Trikuta Hills through technological interventions by on boarding the recently set up Indian Institute of Technology Jammu who too are keen to contribute in a meaningful way in the development of the state.”

Earlier President Hotel and Restaurant association Katra Rakesh Wazir while speaking on the occasion appreciated the customer friendly policies and customized products of the Bank for the business community of the state especially the tourism sector. He made a special mention of the collateral free loans to the hotel industry and GST finance product launched by the Chairman JK Bank on a proactive basis and were the first in the banking industry. He said that the bank was the lifeline of the state economy being the lender of first resort in all the nooks and corner of the state where no other bank is venturing to support the bussing entrepreneurs.

Bank’s Executive Presidents P K Tickoo and R K Chhiber also spoke on the occasion and expressed gratitude to the appreciation of the banks services by the Shrine Board and hotel industry who are the main stakeholders in the ecosystem of Katra town. Bank’s Zonal Head Udhampur Anand Pal Singh presented the welcome address in the function which conclude with a vote of thanks by the bank’s Cluster Head Reasi Rajesh Dubey.

Later the Chairman JK Bank alongwith the management team of the Bank visited the Vaishno Devi Bhawan to take stock of the bank’s facilities to the pilgrims and the cash management operations of the bank at the Bhawan. He also paid obeisance at the shrine and prayed for the peace and prosperity in the state.