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KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY
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Depositors and borrowers – The kings of Banks
One
day Seminar on 'Changing Landscape of the Indian Financial Sector' was jointly
organised by the Department of Rural Banking and Finance Management of the
College of Co-operation, Banking and Management and the Students' Economic Forum
of the South Indian Bank Ltd. on November 11, 2003 at the College at
Vellanikkara. In his presidential address, Shri. M. Valsan, Chief General
Manager, South Indian Bank Ltd. stated that the year 1991 in which financial
sector reforms were initiated was the watershed year in the Indian financial
sector, rather than the year 1969 when nationalization of major Indian
commercial banks took place. He recalled that in earlier days, depositors were
considered as the 'Kings' of banks, while now-a-days, both the depositors as
well as borrowers are accorded equal status. He concluded with the remark that
'survival of the fittest' is the logo of the current competitive Indian banking
sector. Dr. K.V. Peter, Vice Chancellor inaugurated the seminar. Dr. M.
Mohandas, Associate Dean, College of Co-operation, Banking and Management
welcomed the guests and the participants. Dr. Molly Joseph, Associate Professor
and Head, Department of Rural Banking and Finance Management proposed the vote
of thanks. The seminar provided an open forum for the academic community and the
bankers to sit together, discuss and deliberate on the issues and strategies for
the future development, in the back drop of the financial sector reforms.
Maintain austerity in use of
water
The judicious use of water for drinking and in day-to-day use and its prudent
management in agriculture can help to overcome the impact of drought in Kerala,
which is blessed with a mean rainfall of 2821 mm over a period of 131 years,
said Dr. K. V. Ahammed Bhavappa former Director, CPCRI and FAO consultant. He
was inaugurating the project on Economic Impact Assessment of Agro Advisory
Services and the Farmers' Interface in connection with the observance of the
World Meteorology Day at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara on March 23,
2004. Kerala gets a rainfall of 3000mm during a normal monsoon year. During
2003, rainfall in the State was below average, 2380 mm. Shortage of rainfall
combined with the factors like the destruction of forests, increase in
population and total ignorance of rainwater harvest has brought an acute
shortage of drinking water during the period of droughts in Kerala. He opined
that the rain harvest and conservation of water, developing one's own water
sources like wells, ponds and judicious use of water should be the plans for the
next year and years to come to face the acute drought, if it recur. Dr. Bhavappa
was deeply concerned over the unplanned and unrestricted digging of borewells
and overexploitation of ground water resources. The uncontrolled sand mining has
lead to the depletion of water resources and drying up of rivers. He suggested
to maintain austerity in the use of water and recycling of waste water like the
water from the washing machines for flushing etc as the judicious use of water
for domestic use. Use of techniques to reduce water loss, judicious irrigation,
mulching to reduce evaporation, use of compost coir pith, burial of coconut husk
etc. were the tips mentioned to preserve the water content of the soil. Instead
of flood irrigation, drip irrigation and irrigation in pits were suggested. Dr.
A. I Jose, Director of Extension, presided over the function. Dr. C. K.
Peethambaran, Director of Research, Dr. G.S.L.H.V. Prasad Rao, Associate Dean,
College of Horticulture, Dr. F.M.H. Khaleel and Dr. C.P. Muhammed spoke on the
occasion.