A sense of excitement was palpable on young faces on the campus of Akshara School at Ashok Nagar on Wednesday. Students huddled in groups to share their enthusiasm with peers on the possibility of realising their long-cherished dream — to own a personal bank account and to experience the joy of ‘handling’ and ‘managing’ their own money.
A team of top officials from the State Bank of India (SBI) descended on the school to help the children realise their dream through Pehli Udaan a singly-operated savings bank account for a minor aged 10 and above and who can sign uniformly.
Amid beaming faces, members of the bankers’ team comprising the bank’s DGM Rajiv Kohli, AGM Shastry, DGS Raghu Ram and its Patamata Branch Manager Amrutha, explained to the children that besides the joy of operating bank savings accounts independently through facilities such as specially branded passbook and cheque book, all the account holders would be given an exclusively designed personalised photo ATM-cum-debit card.
Addressing the students, Mr. Kohli said the new facility thrown open to children was aimed at helping them learn the importance of saving money besides experimenting with the ‘buying power’ of money.
He said it would not just acquaint children with the different channels of modern-day banking but also teach them the nuances of personal finance. Enough caution was exercised to ensure that they spend money wisely, he added.
He also extended an invitation to the children to pay a visit to the SBI bank to understand all about modern-day banking.
School chairman Anil Kumar and principal Saarada were present also present.
