President Droupadi Murmu attended the Black Swan Summit in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, on February 6, 2026. The summit, organized by the Government of Odisha in collaboration with the Global Finance and Technology Network, focused on leveraging technology for innovation, employment generation, and digital and financial transformation. President Murmu stressed that India’s fintech journey must be remembered not only as a technological success but also as a story of gender justice, urging entrepreneurs to ensure technology serves as a tool for social justice and inclusion.
The President highlighted the rapid pace of technological evolution. She noted that while technology drives innovation and economic growth, it also brings challenges such as cybersecurity threats, financial frauds, deepfakes, and misinformation. Platforms like the Black Swan Summit are vital to explore innovative strategies, strengthen capabilities through targeted skilling, and create employment opportunities, while accelerating digital and financial transformation.
President Murmu observed that India has witnessed a transformational shift in its financial ecosystem over the past decade. Initiatives such as Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) and digital payments have become integral to daily life for farmers, small shopkeepers, and women. For many, fintech has evolved from a technical concept into a lifeline for economic participation.
The President emphasized the need for focused attention on women in the fintech ecosystem. She stressed that women should be seen not merely as end-users, but as leaders, professionals, and entrepreneurs. Every new platform, product, or policy, she said, must be evaluated on whether it enables women to become active stakeholders in the digital and financial ecosystem.
The President cautioned that fintech alone does not guarantee inclusion. Large sections of society, especially in remote, tribal, and rural areas, are still unfamiliar with digital tools. She underlined the importance of skilling and capacity building to enable meaningful participation in development. She noted that fintech can truly become an engine for inclusion, employment generation, and entrepreneurship only when citizens are equipped with the right digital skills.
While acknowledging technology’s vast potential, President Murmu warned about its misuse in financial frauds. She emphasized the need for public awareness and vigilance. She cited key initiatives by the Government of India to counter cyber and financial frauds, including the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), the Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System, and the Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre. Ensuring digital and financial literacy, she said, is critical to preventing online fraud.
The President suggested integrating digital and financial literacy into school curricula. This would enable students to understand both the benefits and risks of technology from an early age.
President Murmu welcomed the BharatNetra initiative launched by the Government of Odisha. This initiative aims to build a future-ready workforce and innovation ecosystem in digital technology, financial technology, and insurance technology. She appreciated the Government of Odisha and the Global Finance and Technology Network for co-organizing the Black Swan Summit as part of BharatNetra. She expressed confidence that the discussions and collaborations from the summit would have a transformative impact.
The President concluded that while technology is evolving at an unprecedented pace, often outstripping existing systems and skills, it remains a powerful driver of innovation and inclusive growth. Platforms like the Black Swan Summit play a crucial role in shaping strategies that ensure technology benefits all sections of society, not just in Odisha or India, but globally.
“President Murmu stressed that India’s fintech journey must be remembered not only as a technological success but also as a story of gender justice, urging entrepreneurs to ensure technology serves as a tool for social justice and inclusion.”
“She said platforms like the Black Swan Summit are vital to explore innovative strategies, strengthen capabilities through targeted skilling, and create employment opportunities, while accelerating digital and financial transformation.”
“For many, fintech has evolved from a technical concept into a lifeline for economic participation.”
“She stressed that women should be seen not merely as end-users, but as leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs.”
“Every new platform, product, or policy, she said, must be evaluated on whether it enables women to become active stakeholders in the digital and financial ecosystem.”
“She underlined the importance of skilling and capacity building to enable meaningful participation in development.”
“She noted that fintech can truly become an engine for inclusion, employment generation, entrepreneurship only when citizens are equipped with the right digital skills.”
“She emphasized the need for public awareness and vigilance.”
“Ensuring digital and financial literacy, she said, is critical to preventing online fraud.”
“She added that:”
“She appreciated the Government of Odisha and the Global Finance and Technology Network for co-organizing the Black Swan Summit as part of BharatNetra and expressed confidence that the discussions and collaborations from the summit would have a transformative impact.”
“The President concluded that while technology is evolving at an unprecedented pace—often outstripping existing systems and skills—it remains a powerful driver of innovation and inclusive growth.”
“Platforms like the Black Swan Summit play a crucial role in shaping strategies that ensure technology benefits all sections of society, not just in Odisha or India, but globally.”
Leave a Reply