‘Change the Soch’ drive reaches Agra, promotes financial empowerment among women

Agra: A nationwide financial literacy campaign ‘Change the Soch – Kanyakumari to Kashmir Drive' aimed at promoting financial empowerment, particularly among women, reached Agra on Tuesday.The 30-day drive – a joint initiative of TOI and mutual fund company Franklin Templeton – commenced in Kanyakumari on Jan 20 and will cover 21 cities before concluding in Srinagar in Jammu & Kashmir. The programme aims to strengthen financial awareness, inclusion and confidence among communities.Led by president of Franklin Templeton India, Avinash Satwalekar, the initiative seeks to explain mutual fund investing through interactive education sessions, expert insights and community engagement. It focuses on creating inclusive and accessible platforms, particularly for women associated with self-help groups (SHGs) and community collectives, enabling them to engage with financial concepts in a simple, practical and relatable manner."Financial literacy among women is critical to India's long-term socio-economic progress, particularly in Tier 2 and Tier 3 regions where access to financial knowledge remains limited," said Satwalekar. "Empowering women to make informed financial decisions strengthens households and communities and contributes to inclusive national growth aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047."He said that as women in rural and semi-urban regions increasingly play a significant role in managing household finances and supporting livelihoods, strengthening financial awareness becomes essential for building resilient families and communities.He added that investor education workshops are being held every alternate day during the campaign across towns and villages, with a focus on savings, investments and long-term wealth creation.Women from diverse backgrounds – including farmers, students, teachers, self-help group members, entrepreneurs, govt and private sector employees, and personnel from the armed forces and police – are participating in the programme.