Franklin Templeton India’s ‘Change the Soch – Kanyakumari to Kashmir Drive’ has reached Bengaluru as part of a nationwide investor education campaign focused on financial literacy and mutual fund investing.
The campaign marks Franklin Templeton’s 30 years in India and involves a 30-day journey covering 21 cities, starting from Kanyakumari and concluding in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir. The initiative aims to encourage individuals, particularly women, to move from savings to investments through structured financial education sessions and community engagement.
Avinash Satwalekar, President – Franklin Templeton India, is leading the drive, travelling more than 4,000 km across the country. He is scheduled to stop every alternate day in towns and villages to conduct investor education workshops. These sessions target women from a range of backgrounds, including farmers, fishing communities, students, parents, teachers, members of self-help groups, entrepreneurs, employees from the private and government sectors, and personnel from the army, navy and police.
Speaking on the launch initiative, Avinash Satwalekar, President, Franklin Templeton–India, said, “Financial literacy among women is fundamental to India’s long-term socio-economic progress. 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 will engage with women from diverse walks of life and empower them with the knowledge and confidence to save, invest and adopt digital finance.”
He added, “When women make informed financial decisions, households could become resilient, communities could thrive and the country moves closer to inclusive growth. Bridging this gap is more than education – it is a vital step towards India’s ambition of Viksit Bharat (developed nation status) by 2047 and building a more inclusive and sustainable financial ecosystem.”
The campaign highlights mutual funds as a vehicle for long-term wealth creation, inflation management and portfolio diversification. Mutual funds also offer access to professional management, liquidity, tax efficiencies and lower investment thresholds.
Franklin Templeton India is focusing on Bengaluru as Karnataka remains one of the leading states in terms of mutual fund assets under management. The company stated that it plans to expand its distribution network in the state to reach more investors and improve awareness of mutual fund investing.
According to industry data, Karnataka’s mutual fund assets under management stand at over Rs. 564,488, having grown by more than 17% in the previous year, with participation across cities such as Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Hubli, Raichur and Mysuru. At an industry level, India’s mutual fund assets under management have increased from Rs. 12.75 trillion as of December 31, 2015 to Rs. 80.23 trillion as of December 31, 2025.
Franklin Templeton manages global assets of US$ 1.68 trillion as of December 31, 2025 and has been present in India for 30 years, with average assets under management of over Rs. 1.27 lakh crores across 37 mutual fund schemes. Three of its funds have track records of over 30 years, while 18 funds have completed more than 20 years since inception.
