Bhubaneswar : Bajaj Finance Limited, one of India’s leading non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) and a subsidiary of Bajaj Finserv Ltd., has taken its financial literacy initiative ‘Arth Sutra Samvad’ to rural Odisha, with programmes organised at the Baliput and Sutan Gram Panchayat offices in Puri district.
The initiative is part of Bajaj Finance’s pan-India financial literacy campaign aimed at promoting financial inclusion in rural and underserved communities and improving awareness about responsible financial management.
The programme focused on the importance of financial discipline, savings, budgeting, responsible borrowing, timely loan repayment, insurance and safe digital financial practices. Participants were also educated about various forms of financial and cyber fraud and ways to protect themselves from emerging digital threats.
Focus on Cybersecurity and Fraud Awareness
A key component of the sessions was awareness about cybercrime and digital safety. Participants were cautioned against phishing links, fake investment schemes, malicious APK files, WhatsApp scams and ‘digital arrest’ frauds.
Addressing residents at the Baliput Gram Panchayat office, Geetanjali Nayak, IIC of the Puri Cyber and Economic Offences Police Station, spoke about emerging cyber fraud techniques and the importance of acting quickly when a financial fraud occurs.
She highlighted the significance of the first two hours following a cybercrime incident—the so-called ‘Golden Hour’—and advised citizens to immediately report financial fraud by calling the national cybercrime helpline 1930.
Nayak also urged people to use smartphones responsibly and remain particularly cautious about unverified links, fraudulent investment groups, malicious APK files and digital arrest scams.
Local Participation
The Baliput session was attended by several local representatives and community members, including Geetanjali Nayak, Baliput Gram Panchayat Sarpanch Pramod Kumar Pradhan, and Baliput Panchayat High School Headmistress Anukampa Kanungo.
A similar financial literacy programme was also organised at the Sutan Gram Panchayat office. Sutan Gram Panchayat Sarpanch Menaka Behera, Sutan High School Headmaster Surendranath Padhi, and Community Health Officer Sagarika Das were among those who addressed the gathering.
The speakers highlighted how effective financial planning and budgeting can improve household financial stability and help individuals prepare for future needs. They also explained the role of insurance in providing financial protection during emergencies.
Building Financial Confidence
Speaking at the programme, Sutan Gram Panchayat Sarpanch Menaka Behera said financial literacy is not merely about understanding money but also about building confidence in managing one’s financial future.
She emphasised that whether it involves a small loan or a larger business investment, timely repayment helps build a strong credit history and can open up greater financial opportunities in the future.
She expressed appreciation for initiatives that bring financial awareness directly to rural communities.
‘Arth Sutra Samvad’ Initiative
‘Arth Sutra Samvad’ is Bajaj Finance’s financial literacy initiative designed to provide individuals with practical financial knowledge and encourage informed financial decision-making through community-based awareness programmes across rural India.
The Odisha programme seeks to strengthen financial inclusion by helping rural communities understand basic financial management, responsible borrowing, digital security and protection against financial fraud.
About Bajaj Finance Limited
Bajaj Finance Limited (BFL), a subsidiary of Bajaj Finserv Ltd., is a deposit-taking NBFC registered with the Reserve Bank of India and classified as an NBFC–Investment and Credit Company (NBFC-ICC).
The company is engaged in lending and acceptance of deposits, with a diversified portfolio covering retail, SMEs and commercial customers across urban and rural India.
According to the company, BFL has 119.33 million customers, with assets under management of approximately ₹5.09 lakh crore as of March 2026. It has a presence across 4,098 locations and 2.42 lakh active distribution points.
The company said it holds high domestic credit ratings, including AAA/Stable and A1+, from leading Indian rating agencies.
Through initiatives such as ‘Arth Sutra Samvad’, Bajaj Finance aims to expand financial awareness and encourage responsible financial behaviour while supporting greater financial inclusion across rural India.
-OdishaAge
