President Murmu Calls For Fintech To Advance Gender Justice And Social Inclusion At Black Swan Summit In Bhubaneswar
President Droupadi Murmu on Friday underscored the need to ensure that technology, particularly fintech, becomes a powerful tool for social justice, gender equality and inclusion, rather than remaining limited to technological advancement alone.
Addressing the Black Swan Summit, India, organised by the Government of Odisha in collaboration with the Global Finance and Technology Network in Bhubaneswar, the President said India’s fintech journey should be remembered not only as a story of innovation but also as a story of gender justice.
“We must evaluate every new platform, product and policy on whether it makes women active participants in the digital and financial ecosystem,” she said, adding that women should be seen not merely as end users of fintech services but as leaders, professionals and entrepreneurs.
Highlighting India’s rapid digital and financial transformation over the past decade, President Murmu noted that direct benefit transfers and digital payments have become a lifeline for farmers, small shopkeepers and women across the country. With over 57 crore Jan Dhan accounts, more than 56 per cent of which are held by women, fintech has significantly expanded financial inclusion, trust and participation, she said.
However, the President cautioned that fintech does not automatically guarantee inclusion. Citizens in remote, tribal and rural areas often lack familiarity with digital tools, making skilling and digital literacy essential for ensuring equitable participation in the development journey. She urged entrepreneurs and innovators to design technology that actively promotes inclusion, employment generation and entrepreneurship.
President Murmu also drew attention to the challenges accompanying rapid technological change, including cybersecurity threats, misinformation, deepfakes and financial frauds. Stressing the importance of awareness and vigilance, she highlighted government initiatives such as the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, the Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System, and the Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre. She called for digital and financial literacy to be integrated into school curricula to help young people understand both the benefits and risks of technology.
Speaking on the transformative role of emerging technologies, the President said artificial intelligence is reshaping every sector of the economy. She referred to the IndiaAI Mission and the upcoming India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, which aims to position AI as a strategic tool for inclusive growth. She appreciated Odisha’s efforts to adopt AI for improving governance, healthcare, agriculture and public service delivery.
Commending the Odisha government’s BharatNetra initiative, President Murmu said investments in skill development, global capability centres and innovation capacity represent critical investments in human capital. She expressed confidence that the Black Swan Summit would help empower youth and entrepreneurs to participate in the global digital economy.
The two-day summit brought together policymakers, technologists, financial institutions and investors to deliberate on topics ranging from fintech and AI innovation to sustainable finance, digital public infrastructure and the empowerment of small and medium enterprises.
Concluding her address, the President said India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat by 2047 must remain rooted in the values of inclusion, fairness and dignity. She expressed confidence that the discussions and collaborations emerging from the summit would have a transformative impact not only on Odisha, but also on India and the world.
