Bajaj Finance Ltd.’s flagship financial literacy initiative, ‘Arthsutra Samvad’, reaches tribal communities and migrant workers in Karnataka’s Kodagu district as part of its pan-India programme to promote financial inclusion across rural and underbanked regions.
The programme promotes financial discipline, responsible money management and digital financial safety, while creating awareness about cyber and financial frauds.
Madikeri, September 29, 2026: Bajaj Finance Ltd., India’s largest private sector Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) and part of Bajaj Finserv, organised its financial literacy programme, ‘Arthsutra Samvad’, at Thithimathi in Virajpet Taluk and Madikeri in Karnataka’s Kodagu district.
The initiative is part of Bajaj Finance’s nationwide financial literacy programme aimed at promoting financial inclusion across rural and underbanked communities. Conducted under the Reserve Bank of India’s financial literacy initiative, the programme focused on raising awareness about financial discipline, responsible money management, digital financial safety and protection against financial fraud.
During the sessions, Bajaj Finance representatives educated participants 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 frauds, fake investment schemes, suspicious links, malicious APK files, WhatsApp scams and digital arrest frauds. They were encouraged to immediately report instances of cyber fraud by calling the national cybercrime helpline, 1930.
At Thithimathi, Bajaj Finance jointly conducted the awareness programme with LAMPS (Large-sized Adivasi Multipurpose Cooperative Society) to empower members of the local tribal communities with essential financial knowledge and cyber-safety awareness.
The programme was attended by Siddappa, President, Tribal Farmers Association; Manikunnya, President, LAMPS, Thithimathi; and Kale Gowda, PSI, Gonnikoppa Police Station, along with members from the tribal community.
Addressing the gathering, Kale Gowda, PSI, Gonnikoppa Police Station, urged citizens to remain vigilant against financial and cyber frauds. “Digital arrest frauds, money-multiplication schemes and social media scams are becoming increasingly prevalent, with people from all sections of society, including police personnel, falling victim to such frauds. We urge the public to exercise extreme caution while engaging online. Prevention is always better than cure.”
He added, “People should avoid showcasing expensive or newly purchased products on social media and refrain from publicly sharing their travel plans, locations or other personal information. Creating fake social media accounts using someone’s identity is also a growing concern. Staying vigilant and limiting the information shared online can go a long way in preventing cybercrime.”
A similar financial literacy programme was conducted in Madikeri, where Bajaj Finance collaborated with coffee estate owners to create financial and cyber-fraud awareness among migrant workers employed across coffee estates in the region. The event was organized at Yogendra Estate.
H.V. Chandrashekar, Inspector, Kodagu Rural Police Station, addressed the participants on cyber-fraud prevention and highlighted the importance of promptly reporting cyber fraud through the national cybercrime helpline, 1930.
“Traditional methods of stealing have been replaced by sophisticated cybercrimes, with social media increasingly becoming a vehicle for financial fraud. Citizens must save 1930 on their speed dial and report any cyber fraud immediately. The sooner a fraud is reported, the greater the chances of stopping the flow of money and preventing further loss.”
‘Arthsutra Samvad’ is Bajaj Finance’s flagship financial literacy initiative aimed at empowering individuals with practical financial knowledge and enabling informed financial decision-making through community-based awareness programmes across rural India.
