EM Bureau Kohima, Aug. 23 (EMN): Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman dedicated the first private bank — Axis bank branch — at Mon on Tuesday morning. She also inaugurated Axis Bank branches of Demow, Sibasagar, Assam, Gohpur, Biswanath, Assam, and Madanrting, East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya. Sitharaman, in her address, stated that it was her third visit to the district and narrated about her visit to Longwa during her tenure as the Defence Minister “which had left a deep impression in her”, an update from DIPR stated. After a brief interaction, Sitharaman stated that she was “impressed” by the way they organised themselves and acknowledged that the people living in the international borders faced severe challenges. She stressed on the importance of financial inclusion, adding that such inclusion provides people access to credit without much security. This, she said, is crucial for most people in the bottom layer of the economy who often fall prey to middlemen who charge exorbitant interest rates. She also stressed on the importance of connectivity, both physical and digital, to ensure access to facilities and security. Sitharaman thanked and appreciated Axis Bank and its management for reaching out so far to provide space...