Bajaj Finance Ltd’s financial literacy initiative, ‘Arthsutra Samvad’, has reached the rural area of Odisha as part of its Pan-India programme aimed at promoting financial inclusion across villages and underbanked regions in India’s hinterland .
The programme in Odisha will highlight the importance of financial discipline, create awareness about financial fraud and inform citizens about good practices in money management .
Puri, (Odisha Tazanews) :- Bajaj Finance Ltd., India’s largest private-sector Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) and a part of Bajaj Finserv, organized its financial literacy programme, titled Arthsutra Samvad, at the Baliput Gram Panchayat and the Sutana Gram Panchayat Office in Puri district, Odisha.
As part of its nationwide financial literacy programme, Bajaj Finance conducted this on-ground initiative to advance financial inclusion in rural India. Aligned with the Reserve Bank of India’s financial literacy initiative, the programme educated participants on prudent financial practices, effective money management, digital safety, and safeguarding themselves against financial fraud.
During the sessions at the Gram Panchayats, Bajaj Finance representatives educated local residents on the importance of savings, budgeting, responsible borrowing, timely loan repayments, and safe digital financial practices. Participants were also advised to remain vigilant against cyber fraud, fake investment schemes, suspicious links, malicious APK files, WhatsApp scams, and digital arrest frauds. They were encouraged to promptly report any cybercrime incidents by calling the national cybercrime helpline at 1930.
The programme at the Baliput Gram Panchayat Office was graced by Ms. Gitanjali Nayak, Inspector-in-Charge (IIC), Cyber & Economic Offence Police Station, Puri, along with Mr. Pramod Kumar Pradhan, Sarpanch, Baliput Gram Panchayat, Puri, and Ms. Anukampa Kanungo, Headmistress, Baliput Panchayat High School, Puri, in the presence of a large number of village residents.
Addressing the critical need for digital vigilance during the financial literacy programme organized by Bajaj Finance Ltd., Ms. Gitanjali Nayak, Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) of the Cyber & Economic Offence Police Station, Puri, delivered an insightful session on modern cyber fraud tactics. She outlined the sophisticated methods scammers use to track and trap unsuspecting individuals, emphasizing the vital importance of the “golden hour”, the first two hours following a cyber fraud incident.
Ms. Nayak strongly advised attendees to immediately report any financial fraud to the national helpline number 1930 within this critical window. Furthermore, she urged the responsible use of smartphones, specifically cautioning the audience against emerging threats such as digital arrest scams, fraudulent WhatsApp investment groups, malicious APK files, and unverified links.
A similar financial literacy programme was also conducted at the Sutana Gram Panchayat Office, Puri. Distinguished guests, including Ms. Menaka Behera, Sarpanch, Sutana Gram Panchayat; Mr. Surendranath Padhi, Headmaster, Sutana High School; and Ms. Sagarika Das, Community Health Officer, Sutana GP, addressed the gathering. They highlighted how budgeting can improve quality of life and help secure the future, explained the role of insurance in providing financial protection during times of need, and cautioned villagers against various forms of cyber fraud.
Ms. Menaka Behera, Sarpanch, Sutana Gram Panchayat, said, “Financial literacy is not just about understanding money; it is about building trust in your financial future. Whether it is a small loan or a major business investment, timely repayment shapes your credit history and opens doors to greater opportunities in life.”
She also expressed her gratitude for such awareness initiatives aimed at empowering rural communities. ‘Arthsutra Samvad’ is Bajaj Finance’s flagship financial literacy initiative that aims to empower individuals with practical financial knowledge and encourage informed financial decision-making through community-based awareness programmes across rural India.
