Arundhati Bhattacharya Honoured with Padma Shri for Contributions of Public Sector Banks in Nation-Building

Arundhati Bhattacharya, former chairperson of the State Bank of India (SBI), expressed her gratitude on Saturday after being awarded the Padma Shri. She stated that this recognition highlights the significant contribution of public sector banks to nation-building. Bhattacharya, who made history in 2013 as the first woman to lead SBI in its over 200-year existence, is one of the 139 individuals honoured with Padma awards announced on the eve of India's 76th Republic Day.

Representative image

Recognition for Public Sector Banks

President Droupadi Murmu approved the distribution of seven Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri awards. These prestigious awards are typically presented by the President at a ceremonial event held at Rashtrapati Bhavan around March or April each year. "I am truly humbled, it is a great honour. This award is an acknowledgement of the role public sector banks PSBs play in nation-building. I am taking this on behalf of all PSBs," Bhattacharya remarked shortly after the announcement.

Trailblazing Leadership at SBI

During her tenure at SBI, Bhattacharya was instrumental in driving digital transformation within the bank. Under her leadership, SBI was recognised as one of India's top three best places to work. She retired from SBI in 2017 and embarked on a new journey as chairperson and CEO of Salesforce India, a cloud-based service provider, in 2020.

A Distinguished Career

With over four decades of experience in India's financial sector, Bhattacharya has held various roles across national and international locations. Her achievements have earned her numerous accolades, including being listed among Forbes' World's 100 Most Powerful Women and Fortune's Top 50 Globally Most Powerful Women in Business and World's 50 Greatest Leaders.

The Padma Shri award serves as a testament to Bhattacharya's remarkable contributions to banking and finance in India. Her leadership has not only transformed SBI but also set a benchmark for future leaders in the industry.