Chennai: In line with the ongoing Vigilance Awareness Campaign, Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) today hosted a Walkathon at Besant Nagar Beach to raise awareness about the importance of integrity, transparency, and collective responsibility in ensuring a corruption-free society. This event is part of the nationwide observance of Vigilance Awareness Week 2025, organized by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) under the theme “Vigilance: Our Shared Responsibility,” which will run from October 27 to November 2, 2025.
IOB Senior Leadership Leads the Walkathon
The Walkathon saw active participation from IOB’s senior leadership, including Mr. Joydeep Dutta Roy, Executive Director; Mr. Dhanaraj T, Executive Director; and Mr. Rajeev Kumar, Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO). Along with General Managers, executives, and staff from the Chennai Regional Office and Central Office, they walked together, sending a strong message about the shared responsibility of every individual and organization in fighting corruption and promoting ethical values in public life.
Emphasizing the Shared Responsibility of Vigilance
Addressing the participants, Mr. Joydeep Dutta Roy, Executive Director of IOB, highlighted that vigilance is not the sole responsibility of a few individuals or organizations, but a collective duty of all. He further stated, “Vigilance is a shared responsibility, and we must all actively contribute towards fostering a transparent and ethical society.”
Mr. Dhanaraj T, Executive Director, reiterated the bank’s unwavering commitment to integrity and anti-corruption initiatives, emphasizing, “Indian Overseas Bank strives to build an environment of integrity, with the active involvement of all citizens, to eliminate corruption from society.”
Mr. Rajeev Kumar, CVO of IOB, spoke about the significance of Vigilance Awareness Week, noting that it plays a crucial role in supporting the CVC’s mission to embed ethics, transparency, and integrity in public governance and administration.
Week-long Vigilance Awareness Activities
As part of its comprehensive Vigilance Awareness Campaign, IOB is organizing a series of activities throughout the week. On October 27th at 11:00 AM, the MD & CEO, Executive Directors, and CVO will lead an Integrity Pledge for all employees, further strengthening the bank’s commitment to ethical practices.
The campaign will also feature engaging activities, including a Rangoli competition, quiz, essay contest, and special lectures on vigilance. These initiatives aim to educate staff and encourage active participation in promoting vigilance and good governance.
Outreach and Public Engagement Programs
Ahead of the Vigilance Awareness Week, IOB has already launched several outreach and training programs. These include training sessions for officers, the display of vigilance-themed banners and standees, airing vigilance jingles on radio FM, and organizing various competitions like quiz, essay, poster-making, and slogan-writing. IOB has also taken proactive steps to engage with the wider community through initiatives such as tree plantation drives, Grama Sabha meetings in rural and semi-urban areas, customer meets, and seminars. These outreach efforts reinforce the importance of ethical practices and governance.
About IOB
Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) is a public sector bank headquartered in Chennai, India, founded in 1937 by M. Ct. M. Chidambaram Chettyar with a vision for overseas banking. It offers a comprehensive range of financial products across retail, corporate, and MSME sectors, serving customers through a large network of over 3,400 branches in India and abroad. IOB was one of the 14 major banks nationalized in India in 1969.
