(THE NEWSMAN OF INDIA.COM) Mumbai, Maharashtra:
In a momentous celebration that underscored India’s journey towards financial empowerment and global economic leadership, Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman addressed the gathering at the 150-year anniversary of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), the world’s oldest stock exchange, in Mumbai. The occasion was graced by dignitaries including Minister of State for Finance M. P. Chaudhary, SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey, and BSE India MD & CEO Sundararaman Ramamurthy.

Unveiling the commemorative logo for the event, Smt. Sitharaman noted that the symbol represents “prosperity, vibrance, growth, and new beginnings,” while echoing the enduring spirit of trust and responsibility that BSE has championed over a century and a half.

“The world is looking to India not just for our growth trajectory or demographic strength, but for the example we can set—of leading with integrity, inclusivity and innovation,” the Finance Minister remarked. She emphasized the need for robust investor education, calling for Investor Awareness Programs (IAPs) in regional languages across the country, especially for students, senior citizens, rural investors, women, and first-time traders.

From a Historic Past to a Future of Promise

Tracing the evolution of India’s capital markets, Smt. Sitharaman highlighted the meteoric rise in companies with market capitalisation over Rs 1 lakh crore—from just one in 2000 to 30 before the pandemic, and 81 today. The number of companies with over a million investors has also surged, from seven in 2014 to 55 in the present day—an indicator of India’s expanding investor base and deepening trust in capital markets.

SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey echoed this sentiment, stating, “Sustained capital formation is key to our vision of Viksit Bharat. Robust, efficient, and well-regulated capital markets will power India’s growth story.”

A Modernized Vision Rooted in Legacy

Lauding the resilience and adaptability of the BSE, Sundararaman Ramamurthy, MD & CEO of BSE limited, stated, “We’ve modernized without losing our roots. BSE India stands today as a globally scalable, tech-first exchange with unmatched capacity.”

Minister of State for Finance, M.P. Chaudhary, emphasized the inclusive role of BSE, adding, “BSE has not only enabled capital formation but has also played a critical role in making financial markets more inclusive and investor-friendly.”

As BSE steps confidently into its next phase, it stands not only as a beacon of India’s financial history but also as a foundation stone for the aspirations of Viksit Bharat—an India that thrives on economic inclusivity, investor confidence, and visionary leadership.