Shillong: Bajaj Finance Ltd., India’s largest Non Banking Financial Company (NBFC) in the private sector, and part of Bajaj Finserv, on Friday organised its Financial Literacy programme, titled ‘Arthsutra Samvad’ in Shillong, Meghalaya.
The pan-India programme aims to further financial inclusion across villages and underbanked locations in India’s hinterland.
‘Arthsutra Samvad’, 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 Dr. Utpal Kumar De, Professor, Department of Economics, North-Eastern Hill University, Pankaj Kumar Rasgania, Superintendent of Police, Cyber Meghalaya, Shillong and Lajiedlang Basaiawmoit, District Mission Manager at the Meghalaya State Rural Livelihoods Society, East Khasi Hills.
Bajaj Finance’s ‘Arthsutra Samvad’ 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.
Through workshops, interactive sessions, and community dialogues, the program will cover 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.
In addition, participants will be guided on cultivating financial discipline, and developing the resilience needed to navigate life’s monetary ups and downs. By merging practical knowledge with real-life scenarios, Arthsutra Samvad hopes to spark a long-term shift toward financially conscious behavior and a future-ready citizenry.
Following the event in Shillong, on-ground awareness sessions will be carried out across villages in Meghalaya.
Addressing the media, Dr. Utpal Kumar De, Professor, Department of Economics, North-Eastern Hill University, said, “Gone are the days when poor or middle-income individuals, especially in rural areas, used to keep their monetary savings under mattresses or in hidden pots for security or precautionary purposes—such practices no longer preserve the value of money. In today’s digital era, banking services offer secure and efficient avenues for growing one’s hard-earned income. To safeguard their future against unforeseen circumstances, people should access insurance services provided by legally recognized financial institutions. Proper budgeting is essential for spending wisely and securing a better financial future. Furthermore, financial literacy empowers individuals to make informed decisions, grow personal wealth, and contribute meaningfully to the country’s economic development.”
As part of the campaign’s multi-faceted approach, Arthsutra Samvad also places a strong emphasis on financial fraud awareness. Speaking on this, Pankaj Kumar Rasgania, Superintendent of Police, Cyber Meghalaya, Shillong said, “In an age where financial opportunity and digital risk walk hand in hand, awareness is the strongest currency. Citizens must exercise caution before clicking links or downloading apps from unknown sources, as these can lead to device breaches and financial loss. Cyber fraud does not discriminate—it can strike anyone. Timely reporting via helpline 1930, the NCRP portal, or nearby police stations is essential during the critical ‘Golden Hour.’ Fraudsters prey on technological ignorance and human greed, promising rapid wealth or impersonating officials to steal sensitive data. Let us verify every digital interaction, install only trusted apps, and guard ourselves against scams like digital arrests, WhatsApp hacking, and investment frauds. Financial literacy and cyber awareness are not just personal shields—they are pillars of a safe and thriving economy. Stay informed. Stay secure.”
Speaking on the occasion, while highlighting various government programs aimed at empowering rural communities,Lajiedlang Basaiawmoit, District Mission Manager at the Meghalaya State Rural Livelihoods Society, East Khasi Hills, said: “The Livelihood Program helps people learn smart ways to manage their money. It teaches them how to save, budget, and use banks and insurance to protect their future. When people understand their finances, they can make better choices and build a more secure life for themselves and their families.”
The programme will be further amplified through cultural events in Meghalaya and will include interactive workshops, expert talks, and community engagement activities, designed to simplify finance and encourage lifelong financial learning.
Bajaj Finance serves 10.65 crore customers across India, through 4,192 locations across the country, its App and Web. It offers a wide range of loans, deposits, payments, insurance and investment solutions that have the potential to enhance financial well-being and make people’s lives better.
Bajaj Finance is committed to serving unbanked segments of the population through financial inclusion and by leveraging advanced technology.
As of FY2025, Bajaj Finance brought over 26 million new-to-credit customers into the formal financial system, enabling many of them to buy their first home, their first two-wheeler, fund an emergency and improve their lives. The company has over 7.5 crore active users on its Bajaj Finserv App and gets a traffic of around 60.3 crore on its website.
Bajaj Pay, Bajaj Finance’s payments solution, has also been instrumental in fostering financial inclusion by driving the adoption of UPI payments and advancing digital payments infrastructure.
Over 32 million customers have a wallet account with Bajaj Finance and more than 44.88 million have a UPI handle.
As part of the 100-year-old Bajaj Group, Bajaj Finance is committed to serving society. A Bajaj Finance spokesperson said, “We believe the business of financial services has a larger purpose – that of inclusion of the underserved and unbanked population into the nation’s financial mainstream. As part of our efforts to further financial inclusion, we are now launching a pan-India financial inclusion programme, aimed at bringing as many people as possible into India’s formal financial stream.”
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