Unveiling of the Amrit Mahotsav Logo and Pune Peoples Award Ceremony of Pune Peoples Bank

Social activists Dr. Rajendra Dhamane and Dr. Sucheta Dhamane to be felicitated

Pune: Established on the auspicious day of Vasant Panchami in 1952, Pune Peoples Co-operative Bank Ltd., Pune is stepping into its Amrit Mahotsav (75th year). On this occasion, a special programme has been organized on Friday, 23 January at 4:00 pm at Ganesh Kala Krida Rangmanch, where the Amrit Mahotsav logo will be unveiled and the Pune Peoples Award ceremony will be held. This information was shared by the Bank’s Chairman Shridhar Gaikwad during a press conference.

Present at the press conference were the Bank’s Vice-Chairman Bipinkumar Shah, Managing Committee Chairman Adv. Subhash Mohite, Directors CA Janardan Randive, Babanrao Bhegade, Subhash Nade, Dr. Ramesh Sonawane, Subhash Gandhi, Milind Vani, Vaishali Chhajed, Nisha Karpe, Sanjeev Asawale, Dr. Vishwanath Jadhav, Expert Director Shweta Dhamal, Chief Executive Officer Sanjay Bhondve, and Managing Board Members CA Ajinkya Randive, Kaustubh Bhegade, Uday Jagtap, Rajendra Gangarde, Arun Dahake, among others.

During the programme, the Amrit Mahotsav logo will be unveiled at the hands of dignitaries. The Pune Peoples Award will be conferred upon Dr. Rajendra Dhamane and Dr. Sucheta Dhamane, founders of Mauli Seva Pratishthan, Ahilyanagar, for their exceptional work for women with mental illnesses. The award will comprise a cash prize of ₹1,01,000, a citation, and a memento. The event will be graced by the presence of the State Cooperative Commissioner and Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Deepak Tavare, and Dr. Parag Kalekar, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Savitribai Phule Pune University.

Managing Committee Chairman Adv. Subhash Mohite stated that Pune Peoples Bank was established on 31 January 1952, on the day of Vasant Panchami, to provide a sense of belonging and support to small entrepreneurs, small traders, and depositors. The bank was founded not merely as a financial institution but as a mission of social service and a trusted institution for the common people. For the past 74 years, the bank has been serving its account holders with dedication. As part of the Amrit Mahotsav celebrations, a special entertainment programme titled “Sankarshan via Spruha” has also been organized for attendees. He further mentioned that until now the bank did not have its own head office; however, through the efforts of the present Board of Directors, the bank’s head office will be shifted to a newly owned premises during the Amrit Mahotsav year. The new head office will be housed in a building spread over 26,000 square feet.

Bank Chairman Shridhar Gaikwad said that under the leadership of the Board of Directors, the bank’s total business has grown from ₹400 crore to ₹2,750 crore over the last 17 years. Key features of the bank include 0% NPA and a dividend of 12% to 15% for members. As the bank enters its Amrit Mahotsav year, efforts are being made—under the guidance of expert directors and with the cooperation of dedicated officers and staff—to further strengthen the bank financially. The bank has set a target of achieving an additional ₹500 crore business growth by March 2026, and aims to reach a total business of ₹5,000 crore within the next 2–3 years. He also expressed confidence that the bank will soon succeed in obtaining direct membership and scheduled bank status.