Mr Bhaliya, the son of a small farmer, is post graduate in Agriculture. He did his M.Sc. (Agri.) from Gujarat Agricultural University, Junagadh, India, in 1981. He was University first and gold medallist in Agricultural Economics. He is also professionally CAIIB. He worked as Assistant Professor in Agriculture University at Junagadh till December 1983 and published more than 25 articles in the area of Agriculture. In December 1983, he joined Bank of Baroda as Agriculture officer and worked in number of Bank of Baroda branches across India, serving on different posts such as Branch Head, Staff Training Faculty, Deputy Regional Manager and Regional Manager. Since last one year he is working as Deputy Chief Executive in Bank of Baroda, London.
1) What is your current position?
At present I am working as Deputy Chief Executive in Bank of Baroda, UK Territory. Bank of Baroda is having 10 Branches in UK.
2) What are your proudest achievements?
I was awarded with 5 silver medals during my high school study, ranking first in the standards and One Gold medal in Gujarat Agricultural University being first in Gujarat Agricultural University in Agricultural Economic. I was one of the youngest Agricultural Scientist in Gujarat. While working with Bank of Baroda, I got promotion from Scale I to Scale IV in first attempt. All above can be considered as my few proudest achievements.
3) What inspires you?
My illiterate parents, who were small farmers, but had great objective in their life to make me a top level officer. They worked extremely hard and saved money for my studies. I am immensely inspired by their hard work, honesty and have inculcated those virtues in my life as well.
4) What has been the biggest obstacle in your career?
As with everyone else, I too had challenges in my career, however I have taken them as opportunities to make best use of my abilities.
5) Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
My spiritual Guru HH Pramukh Swamiji.
6) What is the best aspect about your current role?
On getting deputed to London, I got chance to interact and serve overseas customers, increase our customer base by reaching out to more NRIs, co-ordinate with our branches in India to help them serve better.
7) And the worst?
I always try to keep the stake holders delighted.
8) What are your long term goals?
Do the best for my mother institution - Bank of Baroda and for my customers. My post retirement from Bank of Baroda, I want to dedicate rest of my life as a volunteer for social, humanitarian and spiritual activities undertaken by the socio-spiritual organisation – BAPS.
9) If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
I would like to design and implement a strategy to make more citizens having very strong moral, ethical and spiritual values. Such citizens would be an asset of our society and the country. Once united, they would have an ability to take human life to next step.
10) If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why?
I would like to spend time with Sir Sayajirao Gaikwad, for he was a great visionary to start a small bank with capital of INR 1 million with a mission to strengthen trading and enterprising in India in the year 1908. The bank is now established as one of the leading international banks.
