‘FINFLUENCE Fest’ at NIT Rourkela Empowers Students with Financial Literacy
Rourkela: School of Management at NIT Rourkela, in collaboration with the Grapevine Business Club {a student club under the Student Activity Centre (SAC)}, successfully hosted the highly anticipated ‘FINFLUENCE Fest’ on 21st September 2024 at BB Auditorium, NITR. Over 500 students from NIT Rourkela and other colleges in the Rourkela region attended the event, designed to promote financial literacy among young learners. The program featured Ms. Neha Nagar, a renowned digital financial influencer, as the keynote speaker.
The event commenced with an inaugural session. Prof. Rajeev Kumar Panda, President of SAC welcomed the attendees. In his opening remark, he said, “FINFLUENCE Fest is offering interactive, knowledge-building sessions aimed at empowering students to achieve financial success in today’s dynamic economic environment. We have organized this event to provide students with early insights into financial management and its discipline, enabling them to plan their future more effectively”. Joining the dais, Prof. Niranjan Panda (Dean, Student Affairs) said, “Investment is key, but knowing how to utilize the profits is even more critical for maintaining consistent growth.”
Emphasizing the importance of students learning to secure their finances for their future endeavours, Prof. Rohan Dhiman (Registrar) said that Financial literacy is key to achieving long-term stability and success in today’s rapidly changing economy. It can equip students with essential financial knowledge and skills, empowering them to make informed decisions about their future.
Director of NIT Rourkela, Prof. K. Umamaheshwar Rao, delivered a thoughtful message on the importance of financial skills, saying, understanding financial risks is crucial. Keeping money idle or failing to invest wisely may result in lost opportunities over time. In science, 2 plus 2 is 4, but in investing, it can be zero or 22 reflecting the unpredictability and risk involved in financial investments compared to the certainty found in scientific or mathematical calculations. Therefore, with sound knowledge of investing, money will work for us, offering opportunities for higher returns than simply saving.”
Keynote speaker Ms. Neha Nagar inspired the audience, advising, “Students should prioritize gaining knowledge but also consider upgrading their skills to create multiple earning opportunities. There are scholarships, internships, and government schemes that students can utilize to build financial reserves.”
She also encouraged students not to shy away from investing, noting, “Investing doesn’t always mean diving into the stock market. There are less risky options as well. Knowing financial calculations can help students manage their money wisely, avoid debt, and make informed decisions about savings, investments, and budgeting to plan for future expenses like education or entrepreneurship. Ultimately, it lays the foundation for financial independence and long-term security.” She further shared actionable strategies for managing personal and professional finances. The event was sponsored by Krishna Financial Services (KFS). KFS Director, Ms. Vaishnavi Jhunjhunwala participated in the inaugural ceremony and highlighted the importance of financial independence, stating, “Anyone can become the catalyst of their own wealth creation, and it leads to future stability and financial freedom.” The event also featured speakers Mr Anand Shendge (Well-known Derivative Analyst) and Mr Harsh Paresh (Technical Analyst) from Bajaj Broking, who contributed valuable insights into financial management as the concluding session of this one-day event. The event provided a transformative experience, offering participants the knowledge and tools necessary to build a secure financial future.