Bajaj Finance Ltd., India’s largest Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) in the private sector, and part of Bajaj Finserv, today organized its Financial Literacy programme, titled ‘ArthsutraSamvad’ in Tripura. The pan-India programme aims to further financial inclusion across villages and underbanked locations in India’s hinterland. ‘ArthsutraSamvad’, is being implemented under RBI’s initiative for augmenting financial literacy and awareness. It aims to create awareness about financial discipline, online frauds and good practices in money management. Dignitaries including Shri Nirdesh Deb, Additional Superintendent of Police, Cyber Crime, Tripura Police, Shri Pranab Sarkar, President, Agartala Press Club, Shri Abhishek Dey, Joint Secretary, Agartala Press Club and Prof. (Dr) Priyanka Bhowmik, Assistant Professor, Dept of Economics, Techno India University, Tripura graced the event today at the Agartala Press Club which attended by the students, media fraternity and community people. Earlier this week, Bajaj Finance organized an on-ground financial literacy program at Madhya Champamura Gram Panchayat Bhawan to create awareness among the masses. Around 100 Self HelpGroup (SHG) members attended the awareness programme at Madhya Champamura village. Bajaj Finance’s ‘ArthsutraSamvad’ is a comprehensive programme to foster financial awareness and empowerment at the grassroots level across India’s hinterlands. At its core, the initiative aims to simplify personal finance for individuals, helping them make informed choices with confidence and clarity.
As part of the campaign’s multi-faceted approach, ArthsutraSamvad also places a strong emphasis on financial fraud awareness. Speaking to an audience about the growing threat of cybercrime, Shri Nirdesh Deb, Additional Superintendent of Police, Cyber Crime, Tripura Police, emphasized the importance of vigilance in the digital space. He cautioned, “Do not download unknown apps (.apk files) or click on links shared by unfamiliar contacts.” He further stressed, “Under no circumstances should OTPs be shared with anyone.” Highlighting the underlying causes, he remarked that human greed remains the root of most cybercrime and digital fraud cases. Shri Deb also outlined several techniques currently employed by fraudsters and urged the public to remain alert. He advised that in case of any suspicion or doubt, individuals should immediately approach the police rather than taking risks on their own. For reporting any cyber-related fraud, he recommended dialing the toll-free number 1930 without delay.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Pranab Sarkar, President, Agartala Press Club, urged people to exercise caution when investing their hard-earned money in financial institutions. He said, “Always verify the credibility and integrity of the institutions you choose to invest in. We have seen how several chit fund companies have abruptly shut down, causing substantial losses to many. Our hard-earned money deserves to be safeguarded.” Highlighting the importance of savings, budgeting, and securing one’s financial future, Dr. Priyanka Bhowmik, Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics at Techno India University, Tripura, emphasized the need for financial discipline. She stated, “The fundamental rule is to never spend beyond one’s earnings. It is essential to understand when to borrow and for what purpose. Prioritizing needs and carefully budgeting one’s income should always be given the highest importance.” Through workshops, interactive sessions, and community dialogues, the Arthsutraprogram covers essential topics such as the importance of savings and how to build financial buffers for emergencies, understanding the nuances of responsible borrowing to avoid debt traps, and recognizing and avoiding common scams—including those that occur online or in person.
