Media Release

Mangaluru, Jun 30: St Francis Xavier Church, Bejai, in collaboration with the Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM) Bejai Unit, organized an investor awareness programme on June 29, at St Francis Xavier Kannada Medium School Hall. The programme, titled "Are you ready to retire early and live longer?", aimed to encourage parishioners to plan for a financially secure retirement.

Over 70 attendees from various age groups participated enthusiastically in the session, which was part of the nationwide Investor Education and Awareness programme under the aegis of SEBI and AMFI. Leo Amal, senior branch manager of Franklin Templeton, Mangaluru, conducted the session, using humor, real-life stories, and interactive examples to help participants reflect on their financial preparedness.

The programme provided valuable insights and practical advice, empowering attendees to take control of their financial planning and work towards a secure retirement.

The core theme emphasized that while people are living longer, financial planning often stops too early, creating a gap that could lead to retirement anxiety. Leo Amal stressed the importance of early and consistent investing, understanding inflation, asset allocation, and taking personal responsibility for one's retirement journey.

The session was widely appreciated by the parishioners, who thanked the organizers for bringing such an insightful and much-needed topic to the community platform. The feedback highlighted that the program not only educated but also inspired individuals to take proactive steps toward their financial well-being.

The audience included Ashok Pinto, vice president of the Bejai parish pastoral council; Avitha Pinto, secretary of the Bejai parish pastoral council; Godwin Pinto, parish commission coordinator; and ICYM animators Wilson Lobo, Preethi Gomes, and Rohan Sequeira. The programme concluded with a sumptuous lunch, leaving a lasting impact on the attendees.