Students should protect themselves from digital arrest scams, fraudulent investment groups on WhatsApp & installing suspicious APK files: IIC of Banki police station
Banki(By Abhishek Mohanty): Bajaj Finance Ltd., India’s largest Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) in the private sector, and part of Bajaj Finserv, on Thursday organized its Financial Literacy programme, titled ‘Arthsutra Samvad’ at Pathapur Gram Panchayat Bhawan, Pathapur in Cuttack district.
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 Dilip Kumar Mardraj Bhuyan, IIC, Banki policestation; Sujit Kumar Jena, Teacher in charge, BB High School and Surendra Kumar Parida, Sarpanch, Pathapur Gram Panchayat graced the event.
Around 200 students attended the awareness programme.
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.
Addressing the students in the audience, Sujit Kumar Jena, Teacher in charge, BB High School, Pathapur emphasized that everyone should have basic knowledge of banking. He noted that today’s young generation is intelligent and well aware of new technologies, actively using high-tech apps. However, it is equally important for them to be financially literate. They must understand the entire banking process—from opening and managing a bank account to maintaining a good CIBIL score. He urged the youth to open their own accounts and manage them independently, without blindly trusting others. Financial awareness, he stressed, is essential.
As part of the campaign’s multi-faceted approach, Arthsutra Samvad also places a strong emphasis on financial fraud awareness.
Speaking on this, Inspector-in-Charge, Banki Police Station Dilip Kumar Mardraj Bhuyan, IIC, Banki PS stated that everyone should remember the helpline number 1930, and in case of any cyber fraud, they should immediately report it. If the complaint is made within one hour, the accused’s accounts can be promptly blocked, significantly increasing the chances of recovering the lost money. He referred to this critical window as the "golden hour" in cyber fraud cases, emphasizing the importance of swift reporting. He also stressed the need for careful and responsible use of mobile phones. Additionally, he advised students to protect themselves from cyber threats such as digital arrest scams, fraudulent investment groups on WhatsApp, installing suspicious APK files, or clicking on unidentified links received on their devices.
Surendra Kumar Parida, Sarpanch, Pathapur Gram Panchayat on this occasion said, "Financial literacy is not just about understanding money—it’s about building trust in your financial future. Whether it's a small loan or a major business investment, timely repayment shapes your credit history and opens doors to greater opportunities in life." He also expressed his gratitude for such awareness initiatives aimed at rural communities.
Through workshops, interactive sessions, and community dialogues, the Arthsutra program 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.
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 at Pathapur, on-ground awareness sessions will be carried out across villages in Odisha.
The programme will be further amplified through cultural events in Odisha and will include interactive workshops, expert talks, and community engagement activities, designed to simplify finance and encourage lifelong financial learning.
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.”
