BHUBANESWAR: President Droupadi Murmu on Friday said India’s fintech journey should be remembered not merely as a story of technological advancement, but as a powerful narrative of gender justice, inclusion and human dignity.
Addressing the valedictory session of the Black Swan Summit India here, Murmu called for a fintech ecosystem that places women at its core - not just as users, but as leaders, professionals and entrepreneurs.
“Women already form the backbone of India’s financial inclusion drive, with over 56 per cent of Jan Dhan accounts held by women. Every new fintech platform, product and policy must be assessed on whether it enables women’s active participation in the digital and financial ecosystem,” she advised.
An inclusive fintech system, Murmu said, is one where women are visible at every level, from village-level entrepreneurs and banking correspondents to engineers, startup founders and board members. She appreciated the summit’s dedicated session on scaling women’s skills and supporting women-led MSMEs as a step in the right direction.
While acknowledging India’s achievements, the President cautioned that fintech alone does not automatically guarantee inclusion. Many citizens, particularly in remote, tribal and rural areas are still not comfortable with digital tools. Skilling and digital literacy are essential to ensure that fintech becomes a true engine of inclusion, employment generation and entrepreneurship, she said.
Murmu also flagged the darker side of rapid digitalisation, warning against the growing threat of online financial fraud that can wipe out life savings and cause severe mental and social distress. Digital and financial literacy, she said, should be integrated into school curricula so that citizens understand both the benefits and risks of technology from an early age.
Speaking at the event, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said there is a constant need for innovation, because almost every sector is now closely integrated with technology. “Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BharatNetra programme has been initiated. Women’s participation is key to this progress supported by initiatives like Subhadra, and Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Yojana for economic empowerment and financial inclusion,” he said.
“BharatNetra is built on four key pillars - Skills, Mindshare, Innovation, and Global Capability Centers. Under this programme, more than 7,000 young men and women will be trained over the next five years. Odisha’s growth depends on innovation,” he added. Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, state Electronics and IT minister Mukesh Mahaling and Higher Education minister Suryabanshi Suraj were present among others.