Let me first congratulate Bank of Baroda on reaching this milestone in its history. Allow me also to commend all those whose work and dedication have positioned the bank as a successful and respected global bank. A centenary should indeed be celebrated. This celebration, however, cannot start without saluting the founder of Bank of Baroda, Maharaj Sayajirao.
Under his rule, a hundred years ago, Maharaj Sayajirao erected a tiny building in the princely town of Baroda. His vision, I understand, was to set up a bank which would “prove to be a beneficial agency for lending, transmission and deposit of money and a powerful factor in the development of art, industries and commerce of the state of Baroda and adjoining territories”.