This past week marked one of the most eventful weeks, in the recent-past, for stock markets across the world; and it is only fitting that we are here to precisely take stock of the markets as well as familiarize ourselves of the opportunities it provides to us – as investors as also a career option.

We have amidst us those who understand the individuals’ career dimension as well as her/his interests and expectations as investors in the markets. In Mr. Sandip Ghose, Director, National Institute of Securities Markets, we have one who has provided leadership to RBI’s Human Resources Department that spans across 18000+ employees. It is indeed a noteworthy endeavour that NISM has undertaken lead by its Director, Mr. Sandip Ghose, Dean, Mr. K Sukumaran and his team, to popularize role of and avenues into capital markets among young future leaders and citizens. There are many highs Indian capital market awaits to reach and your continued efforts, in no small measure, is pivotal to shaping this potential.

May we all gladly acknowledge the support of Mr. K S Rao and Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund / Asset Management Company for making this gathering a reality. We are delighted to have your event sponsorship and deeply appreciate the gesture to partner with our Department of Management Studies in organizing this Regional Seminar. We are confident that many of us here would leave better informed and advised about the markets, mutual funds and career management imperatives. I am particularly keen to listen to your session titled MY FIRST PAY CHEQUE. I take great pleasure, in welcoming you, whom we consider as one among us – our alumni, back here to be amidst us today. [For those of you who may not be knowing, Shri Rao took a few of our courses between 1997–98: PGDPM, Portfolio Management and 1998-99: PGDIB, International Business]

Mr. Thyagarajan Balasubramanian from Stratadigm is here to provide us a perspective of rapidly changing (and may well be displacing) landscape on payments systems and modals, particularly in India. With many vehicles of distribution now becoming a reality, a huge potential awaits to usher in a paradigm shift in the ways monies are paid / received and value exchange to occur. I am sure, your generation (that will soon set foot into the job market and build professional careers into the future), our generation that has traveled some distance in that direction and everyone between and beyond our generations, will be empowered with this emerging disruptive interventions ably assisted by the rapid technology adoption in this area.

It is well known to all that capital is among the critical resources required to realize many of our aspirations. And surely, this country, to be able to effectively benefit from the huge demographic dividend and potential as well as address it’s developmental and growth needs, requires huge capital. And in this context, it instills a lot of positivity and hope, to notice many encouraging perspectives on India’s and the region’s capability to draw capital to fuel its growth. Coupled with the growth of newer, grassroots level empowering technologies, I am confident that very interesting and exciting times are ahead for those who persevere in pursuit of taking advantage of this change as well as those who are keen to bring about the much desired change. Ultimately, all this must lead to better quality of life for us and our people.

May I once again, most sincerely, acknowledge and appreciate the support provided to this event by Birla Sun Life, National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) and Stratadigm as well as take the liberty to compliment and congratulate Department of Management Studies lead by Head of the Department, Dr. R. Panneerselvam, Professor, Dr. Kasilingam and the team of faculty and students for making this very timely coming together a reality.

I wish you all a great learning experience… and I urge the students to make full use of such learned individuals’ presence to learn and understand as much as possible on the topic.