The pages of the ink, the signature of the leaders of India-Pakistan in the accounts …. Interestingly the story of the main branch of SBI

New Delhi: Nearly 8 decades ago, on 28 November 1940, Liaquat Ali Khan went to a bank on Parliament Street. At that time he/she was just a leader. Nobody had an idea that this person to signed the form to open an account would become the first Prime Minister of Pakistan after 7 years. She was a branch of the Bank Imperial Bank of India. This year, this Bank is celebrating its 100th year as the New Delhi main branch of the State Bank of India (SBI), as the name of the Imperial Bank was later changed. This bank is a place where many leaders of India and Pakistan opened their accounts when India was not divided. The bank was established on 4 January 1926. This bank is located in New Delhi. It is a multi -storey building. This building is modern, but its history is very old. A picture of the old Imperial Bank of India branch shows its past. Its big pillars are reminiscent of old-time architecture. At that time there were big accounts in the bank. Documents were approved. People used to sign with ink.

100 year old accounts are still safe today

The 100 -year -old accounts of the bank are still safe today. These accounts have signs of leaders of India and Pakistan. This was the time when India and Pakistan were the same. Debashish Mishra, Chief General Manager of SBI’s Delhi Circle, said that the branch started on 4 January 1926 as Raisina Road Branch. At that time Delhi became the capital of British India. Therefore, a large bank was needed. Mishra said, ‘This bank was built at a cost of Rs 1.75 lakh. It had British style pillars and large interiors. It was an important financial center. ‘ he/she also said that this bank now contributes about 14% to the Delhi Circle business, which is about Rs 70,000 crore.

Its stories are interesting

The bank figures are impressive, but its stories are also very interesting. This bank was once a place where the leaders of India used to manage their money. This bank is associated with the history of India and Pakistan. Liaquat Ali Khan was not alone. Malik Feroz Khan Noon also came to this bank in 1943. he/she became the seventh Prime Minister of Pakistan.

• This bank was also an important place for kings and revolutionaries. Princess Amrit Kaur was India’s first Health Minister. She worked for the rights of women. he/she also opened his/her account in this bank. In 1941, he/she signed the bank documents. At that time she was also the secretary of Mahatma Gandhi. he/she also helped in the establishment of AIIMS and Lady Irwin College.
• Accounts of big companies like Tata Sons were also in this bank. They have been accounts since 1942. People working in the field of education and social reform also used to come to this bank.
• Zakir Hussain became the third President of India. he/she signed in 1948 by Jamia Millia Islamia Delhi Society. This branch was also home to the Armed Forces Welfare Fund. Major General Heera Lal Atal took over on 21 June 1949.
• The leaders of the country also kept their money in this branch. Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the first President of India. he/she opened an account for the Constitution Club. Neelam Sanjeev Reddy also came to this bank. he/she later became President. he/she opened his/her account in 1964. Leaders like Abul Kalam Azad also came to this bank.
• The International Statistical Conference account was opened around 1951. CD. Deshmukh, Rajendra Prasad and Jawaharlal Nehru’s signature also joined the bank’s records. After 100 years, the archives of this branch remind them of those who once came here.

Many memories are still alive

Even in today’s digital age, the attraction of the pages soaked with those ink remains intact. You will get to hear many stories by talking to senior bank officials. SBI Chairman Challa Srinivasulu Setty said that the bank has done well to the country. he/she said, ‘Recently, Parliament has enacted a law that all accounts under the Foreign Contribution Act should be kept in SBI. SBI has done this responsibility well. Setty said, “This branch opened more than 23,000 FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act) accounts during the Kovid epidemic.”