Marking three decades in India, the global fund house’s nationwide outreach campaign spotlights women’s financial empowerment and long-term investing as it reaches Karnataka’s capital
Bengaluru, NFAPost: In a significant push to deepen financial literacy and inclusion across the country, Franklin Templeton India has brought its nationwide investor education initiative — “Change the Soch – Kanyakumari to Kashmir Drive” — to Bengaluru, India’s technology and innovation capital. The campaign, which coincides with Franklin Templeton’s 30-year presence in India, aims to encourage Indians, particularly women, to transition from traditional savings habits to informed, long-term investing through mutual funds.
The 30-day, 4,000+ kilometre journey began in Kanyakumari, the southernmost tip of the country, and will culminate in Srinagar, covering 21 cities and towns en route. Designed as a grassroots outreach programme, the initiative blends on-ground engagement, interactive workshops and community-level conversations to demystify mutual fund investing and build confidence among first-time and underserved investors.
At the heart of the campaign is a clear message: financial literacy is a cornerstone of inclusive economic growth, and women play a decisive role in shaping household and community financial resilience.
Championing Women-Centric Financial Empowerment
The drive is being led by Avinash Satwalekar, President – Franklin Templeton India, who is personally spearheading the cross-country journey. At each stop, typically every alternate day, the campaign conducts investor education sessions focused on the fundamentals of saving, investing, digital finance and long-term wealth creation.
The outreach targets a diverse and often underrepresented audience. Participants include women from farming and fishing communities, members of self-help groups involved in food processing and handloom sectors, students and educators from academic institutions, entrepreneurs, salaried professionals from both private and government sectors, and personnel from the armed forces and police services.
“Financial literacy among women is fundamental to India’s long-term socio-economic progress,” said Mr. Satwalekar while addressing participants in Bengaluru. “While urban centres have made meaningful advances, lakhs of women across Bharat—especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 regions—remain underserved in terms of access to financial knowledge and tools. Through this initiative, we want to empower women with the confidence to save, invest and participate actively in India’s growth story”.
He added that informed financial decision-making by women has a multiplier effect.
“When women take charge of finances, households become more resilient, communities thrive, and the nation moves closer to inclusive growth. Bridging this knowledge gap is not just about education—it is a vital step towards India’s vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.”
Why Mutual Funds Are Central to the Message
A core component of the campaign is educating investors on the role of mutual funds as an efficient and accessible investment vehicle. The sessions highlight how mutual funds can help individuals build long-term wealth, beat inflation, diversify risk, and benefit from professional fund management—often with relatively low entry points.
Bengaluru and Karnataka form a critical focus area for Franklin Templeton. Karnataka currently ranks among the top 50 markets in India in terms of mutual fund assets under management, making it a strategic state for investor outreach and expansion.
According to industry data referenced during the campaign, Karnataka’s mutual fund industry AAUM stands at over ₹5.64 lakh crore, having grown more than 17 per cent in the previous year. Key centres such as Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Hubballi, Raichur and Mysuru are emerging as important hubs for retail participation, signalling strong medium- to long-term growth potential.
At the national level, India’s mutual fund industry has witnessed a dramatic expansion, with assets under management rising more than six-fold over the past decade—from ₹12.75 trillion in 2015 to over ₹80 trillion by the end of 2025—reflecting growing investor maturity and acceptance of market-linked products.
A Long-Term Commitment to Investor Education
Franklin Templeton’s leadership emphasised that the Change the Soch drive is not a one-off campaign, but part of a broader, long-term commitment to investor education and responsible participation in capital markets. With offices in 39 cities and collection centres in more than 100 locations across India, the fund house plans to further strengthen its distribution and education network in Karnataka and beyond.
Backed by the global strength of Franklin Resources Inc., which manages over US$1.6 trillion in assets worldwide, Franklin Templeton India brings decades of global investment expertise to Indian investors. In India alone, the firm manages average assets of over ₹1.27 lakh crore across 37 mutual fund schemes, including several flagship funds with track records spanning more than three decades.
Taking Financial Awareness Beyond the Boardroom
As the Kanyakumari to Kashmir drive moves northward, Franklin Templeton’s message remains consistent: financial empowerment begins with awareness, and awareness must reach beyond metropolitan boardrooms into villages, small towns and households.
By anchoring its 30-year milestone to a nationwide, on-the-ground education effort, the company is signalling a shift in how financial institutions engage with India’s next generation of investors—bringing conversations about money, security and long-term goals directly to the people who need them most.
Mutual fund investments are subject to market risks. This initiative is for investor education and awareness purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
