Karnataka Bank 102nd Founders’ Day Lecture by Debasish Panda on Feb 18

Mumbai, February 16, 2026: Karnataka Bank has announced that it will celebrate its 102nd Founders’ Day on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at 4:00 PM at its Head Office in Mangaluru, Karnataka. The highlight of the event will be a special Founders’ Day Lecture delivered by Debasish Panda (Retd.).

Shri Panda, a 1987-batch IAS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, is widely recognized for his transformative leadership in finance, insurance, public administration, and governance. Over a distinguished career spanning more than three decades, he has played a pivotal role in shaping policy reforms across multiple sectors.

During his tenure as Chairman of Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) from 2022 to 2025, he championed the ambitious vision of “Insurance for All by 2047,” strengthened regulatory frameworks, and enhanced customer-centric governance practices.

Earlier, as Secretary of the Department of Financial Services (2020–2022), Shri Panda led major banking consolidation initiatives, strengthened financial inclusion, and managed India’s financial response during the COVID-19 pandemic. He has also served on the Boards of Reserve Bank of India, State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, and Life Insurance Corporation of India.

Speaking about the event, Shri Raghavendra S. Bhat, MD & CEO of Karnataka Bank, described Shri Panda as a visionary reformer whose leadership has significantly strengthened India’s financial and administrative ecosystem.

Cultural Programme to Follow Lecture

The Founders’ Day Lecture will be followed by an all-women classical music ensemble featuring renowned artists including Vidushi Manasi Prasad (Vocal), Vidushi Sukanya Ramgopal (Ghatam Tarang), Vidushi C.V. Shruthi (Violin), Vidushi Y.G. Srilatha Nikshith (Veena), Vidushi Ranjani Siddhanti Venkatesh (Mridangam), and Vidushi Bhagyalakshmi Krishna (Morsing).

The event will be streamed live on Karnataka Bank’s official YouTube and Facebook channels. It will also be telecast live by regional television channels “Namma Kudla” and “Namma TV,” and broadcast through All India Radio Mangaluru.

The programme will be presided over by Shri P. Pradeep Kumar, Chairman of Karnataka Bank.

With a legacy spanning over a century, Karnataka Bank continues to celebrate its heritage while reinforcing its commitment to innovation, governance excellence, and community engagement.