Digital Era in a Cash Woe State

Ever since Demonetisation came into picture E wallets like Freecharge, Paytm became a saviour of daily household, before for having E Wallets account was like joining a moment towards Digital Era but afterwards it happens to be a necessity of everyone’s part of life. Demonetisation was difficult but most necessary step and because of this wings of opportunity in Digital Transaction has been opened. More peoples are now inclined towards the cashless economy for the seamless transaction. We can’t totally replace the cash economy or can end it but we can save some cost of Government of India who invest in printing cash by joining Cashless Economy, that remaining amount can be saved and used for any beneficiary programs in the Country.

No doubt digital transaction is not easy in first hand but it also a most rapid way to pay money, with a single click you can transact without much of a effort made on it. For cash you always needs to find ATMs, you may end paying extra as well with every withdrawal and then worry about cash’s security and search change here and there, sometime we end up paying a penny extra but it’s not a case with Digital transaction. Indeed we needs to take care a bit to protect ourselves from fraudulent rest it’s a best possible way to deal in a digital era. Digital Transaction also provides the transparency which we always needed in our transaction, it also helps to monitor the daily expends which helps any family to workout on a daily, weekly, monthly cost. 

India is a Youth-Centric Country and Youth likes to experience something new, they have less fear but excitement to try new. Today very few percentage of people wants things to be simple and rest of them like action to be live and on the go, tats why no matter whatever the Internet speed our Country lies between poor to average we gets a huge number in viewership via OTT Apps. Any cricket match featuring India or IPL draws a big number of viewership because of youths craze towards cricket and the option to join the game live. The adaptation of digital currency also giving strengths to Online content providers and tats why number of investment in such parlours are increased in recent past compare to what we used to have 3 – 4 years ago. As per future aspect content cost of Digital rights will jump upto 10% of what we have currently and price of Television rights will drastically see a fall. 

Cashless economy is the essential step for Digital India concept also it helps to tackle corruption due to its transparency. Digital India concept which led people to connect with E World opening the tons of opportunities from it, from business class to working class it representing the world in a simplified manner in our LCD/LED Monitor. For youths internet not only provides the education materials, platform to search jobs, website to entertain, E Shops to get a latest trendy fashion, paying the necessary bills are kind of examples from this never ending virtual world. This also helps any startup to join the online community to give the first shout also a small business owner to get explored by millions. Digital World has no boundaries and no limits and it takes no time to get understood or get it understand. 

Cashless Economy is a part of Digital India concept which also helps to increase literacy, there are millions in the Country who do have basic education but yet not aware from basic rights which are made to support the livelihood and to make the complicate thing easy. Now with Digital India any kind of subsidy reaching to someone’s bank account which is also a kind of document proof of that person. Bank account also gives a hand on information towards anyone’s savings and connecting all this info with Aadhaar, today people need not to find bank because their finger print and mobile number does all the work. There was a time when people needs to worry about doing all official formalities infact in rural someone needs to worry about his or her mobile recharge but tats no more a issue. 

Cashless economy gave a opportunity to live a easiest life, also to make someone a contributor towards the Nation’s development. Now people using a service and paying for it, there is no middle man in any kind of deal which was a venom in the society barring down the growth of the nation for a very long time. No doubt cashless economy which is a sub part of Digital India is not so easy to adopt but we can’t hold for a long time from a world which can be explore in one click. It’s a need of a hour to lift the standards by going cashless rather then saying to protect mother nature time to keep the trees alive because currency printed from paper and for paper trees get slaughtered, we should keep the nature clean, eliminates the middle man and earn some cash backs as well through such E Wallets.

Demonetisation which affected "The People"

Wrote in my Facebook page regarding the decision made on Demonetisation and effects after. Shared the consequences and why should we need bold decision considering it for the Nation and not just to use it as propaganda or winning elections. Something which is better for the Country are always welcome and such selfless decision is a need of a hour for the better tomorrow.

#Demonetization cleaning the chunk from TV, hit the local brand

After 50 days where Aam Aadmi yet to get a relief from the effect of Demonetization. There a certain things from which we got relief, first from increasing a number of Television Shopping Channels, second from local brands. In last 4 - 5 years ever since Cable era changed from Analog to Digital the number of News Channels increased like nothing. During this timeline business of Online Shopping too flourished because its quite convenient, you will get everything in one place, and also for small business owner its a platform to sold the product and spread the reach into Nationwide. Sale of local brands as well which are assembling from the Chinese hardware are too increased in this time being. From online shopping quality may be compromised but we trust it because of its return policy as we can return the product in the first instance.

When First PVT. TV channel started it became a place for ESSEL Group to promote their "Asian Sky Shop" on their own ZEE TV. Later shops like Telebrands, TVC captured the slot of our Television screens with imported products and surely few played a gambled by ordering it. But the legacy continues till at this moment of time and now entire scenario is divided into 2. One is foreign backed total online shopping portals and another are domestic backed TV shopping based companies. When you compare companies like Flipkart, Snapdeal they gets a big amount of chunks as a support from outside at the same time Amazon and Ebay are itself a American major. Snapdeal also partnered with DEN Network to own "TV Shop" as a part of it they're selling economical product as their Local venture. In this following list ShopClues may be sharing the spot with Ebay in terms of popularity and sale, but figure can differs !!

Lots of companies emerged and revamped during this era like Planet M Shopping became Shop Direct, After the exit of Star India Network, South Korean Home Shopping major CJ O Shopping partnered with P5 Asia Holding Investments (Mauritius) to continue its footprint in India as Shop CJ Network both in TV and Website. Among all HomeShop 18 and Naaptol expanded during this period and didn't shaken up, with growing Digitization HomeShop 18 and Naaptol found buying slots in both Cable and DTH, Naaptol has maximum reach in TV not only partnered with Home Channels of different operators but also own two Hindi shopping channels as Naaptol Blue and Green respectively along with regional language channels as well as first HD shopping channel in India. 

Meanwhile couple of groups too are in business but as the market is not a guarantee for success. Groups like Times Shopping, Anand India was trying to spread their wings but couldn't reached into that height. India Today Group even sold their 80% stakes of their thirsty shopping venture to ZEE Media.  Akshay Kumar and Shilpa Shetty too jumped in a shopping venture named Best Deal TV partnering together after a split in a romance between two decade back, they even partnered with South Star Vikram to expand the business as in Tamil Market. There is no word to deny is that in India whether startup business are getting enough space to grow or not Shopping business are definitely a idea on which business houses are working and trying our level best according to the opportunity to grab.

Its a quite a debate to make that after demonetization when big online shops got hit and impacted then what would have the faith of the 2nd league companies ? Flipkart CEO himself admitted the hammer in business and criticizes the implementation of demonetization, The biggest boom for online shopping was Cash on Delivery (COD) and when the existing cash gone illegal then how people will buy and how company got to do business ? Companies like HBN, Akshay - Shilpa's Best Deal TV decided to rap the business for the moment because of their concentration in only COD mode. ZEE Media may be supporting Demonetization and may be as of now keeping the shopping brand in cold bag but have to be accountable for the purchases they made. India Mobile brand Micromax also decline sale either from their own Web channel or via different portals. Another Mobile manufacturer Jivi Mobile stop financing a slot of a promo channel for their mobile.

Carriage fee is a big revenue maker for the operators and for the shopping brands digitization boosted a lot as now more slots are created and competition is also increased in which operators are forced to provide more channels from starter pack itself. For operators and shopping brands its a win - win situation also to fulfill the alleged demand of people from digitization. After demonetization people stood in a queue and exchanged the note to fulfilled their daily needs and for many days luxurious life was like over for them. Indeed shopping is too like luxury to live, after online shopping came few people got the hobby to buy number of back cover for their fav. mobile so that they change it in a week time, some people has some other, indeed few writer termed shopping as hobby and not  a need and thats why it matters in the Country's economy when demonetization kind of moment impact the individual and local vendors and who're a part of some online portal. 

Weakness in "Go Digital" moment can push it back ?

Recently one of the leading opposition party and its leader's twitter account get hacked and voices start raising that does India is ready with "Go Digital" moment or "Cashless" moment, does India is ready handle the Digital era where our Country is far behind in literacy compare to many Developed Country. Well the thing is hacking of twitter account can't justifies the insecurity of the Digital era but indeed we're less prepare before a massive push. As I tried to bring out a fact that people who themselves chosen the digital mode for payment and shopping are basically because of some tempting offers from the company and not because they think its a future need. I remember of my time when University start taking College exam fees online without giving a proper knowledge on how to fill it, those days despite internet charges are quite less compare to today but had lots of weakness in the system like slow internet, slow respond time etc. etc. Those days forget about Internet even Smartphones was not a cup of tea for everyone and less supported. Phishing, Hacking was the new terminology and systems are not ready enough to fight the challenges. Except doing needful from Cyber Cafe a guy had no other option. Those days Banks just got a additional responsibilities without enough preparation but yes Universities and Banks was always ready to charge processing fees and annual fees for the maintenance of the system like we have opted the thing by choice and not like a rule.

Logo belongs to Digital India (Official Website: Government of India)

For next 1 or 2 years after launching the Online filling of a Exam Fees everyone used to be like a bully infront of the system. Those days due to high traffic even University Website remain down for most of the time, the form got open to fill just days before of your exams and except to pray for the successful transaction you got no other choices. You sit to fill the form very slowly University Website redirects you to the Bank Website, Bank Website ask you to change the password those days since Online Transaction was quite less need of Online Transaction was less as well hence obviously you have to encounter the password change activity all the time during the Exam Form filling, then after doing so process would start further after all this activity you finally found out that your form didn't filled but amount got deducted those days you won't even get confirmation message many times like today you got 80 out of 100 time so what just pray and keeps on checking the University Website. Obviously a big source of traffic used to increase because of this reason as well and if University start monetizing their websites then quite easily they would have make a lot of bucks for maintaining their system and update it with superior plans, well thats might happen or may not be but saddest part was that time or even before 2 years that Engineering students used to relied on less educated Cyber Operator for this entire process, I am not sure about current scenario but if Majority of Engineering student still believing to do a online transaction from someone else who is less qualified then you then its a mockery of a push of Go Digital and mockery of higher education in the Country which is already quite a costly affair to be honest.

No way we shouldn't move towards the Digital Era but less education towards it made things quite difficult for people to handle the technology which is known to ease your work rather then making it difficult. Not everyone has mail, not everyone has internet, so its not like everyone is quite sound of implication of the new gen technology also even if organization tries to it doesn't mean it reaching to everyone meaning of phishing and hacking should also being described in a simple way in every mode of communication which will help to reach people to people. We got many changes in society like from Paper Valet elections to EVM which is highly appreciated and accepted by everyone who cast his or her votes. Decade old ATM too accepted by most of the percentage of people but accepted quite late and not all of the sudden, similarly better management can deploy the planning more smoothly and efficiently. Indeed youths are more smart and progressive towards the digital era but system needs to be as well. When I wrote Deal with DeMonetisation or Deal with Politics !! I raised the point that we yet to got E Wallet from Govt. of India. After Demonetization exercise only push towards the RUPAY card increased not before it was when things was like as always. Banks are even asked to promote cashless transaction but surely push and forcing is a two different things and opposite to each other. We got twisted system, we got supercilious system, twisted one is quite easy and the other one is not every ones gettable.

Youths are in majority and they know the usage of E Technology well, younger generation are more keen to get a hand of to experiencing something new. You will found saying many with proud that they're the BETA tester of either a Mobile App or Mobile OS, no matter BETA testing is to realize the bugs and feeling the vulnerability but getting some extra features despite its not safe compare to normal users always excites the youth and thats why the growth and development in the IT infrastructure is quite high which is now expanded and reached in every corner of Household. Indeed a start is always a necessary if you're heading to foot towards the next gen era and then a push which is equally required to make sure that a start gets its destination. With Go Digital Era we got many options like Prepaid Cards, UPI based Apps from Banks and other third party developers, Mobile Wallets, Netbanking, Debit - Credit Cards and *99#. Yes in all the given options has some flaws, from that Net Banking is considered as one of the safest of all since transaction from the Net Banking need two passwords like Login and Transaction one along with OTP in the mobile but yes if not have Laptop and Computer then through Mobile any noob will stuck into it, Gateway failure will cause people a lot and ofcourse you will get a money back after 7 to 8 biz days if amount deducted but transaction not confirmed in this method. One of the weakest link from the above given options are Credit card which can hacked and can be made duplicate as well. Mobile Wallets becoming a good option but only verified ones are the trusted one. *99# need a good development since dependent on Aadhaar Card and Less choices are equalizing it as less effective.

No doubt that Digital Transactions are not safe but does it mean we won't take any step further and won't opt in near future ? Even we're using cash transaction its quite popular too but does we stopped using it after fearing from pickpocket ? Nope we have to be smart a little to safe ourself from the trouble. Giving importance to cashless transaction doesn't mean you start doing transaction in every worst case scenario, sensible and intelligence is the key always but yes we have to be ready with the future aspect all the time. One thing is needed and I guess most demanded is the processing charge, at this moment still some services deducting the processing charge which is a kind of curt in any such revolutionary moment. Yes you need money to manage system, servers but doesn't mean the cost should be charged from those who basically making the E era popular ? There are plenty more ways to support the maintenance cost, today when you check out IRCTC website for a example then you will found that it is well monetized quite well and must be earning too as from Ads but still IRCTC charges processing fees !! infact the more IRCTC pushes the E Transaction the less they needs to worry about the Man Power in Ticketing Counters. When a Government today strengthening the Digital India initiative with full force infact our PM got his own Mobile App then is quite easy to think about to launch a Government build Mobile Wallet too and effectively connect all Agency like IRCTC, BSNL, MTNL, State Electricity Board, Corporation Boards into it, it will not only help to save Crores of Rupees of Government in Manual Effort but also from Paper Formalities.

Its a time for every citizen as well to distribute a basic knowledge towards a Cashless Transaction and Digital Technology not in big frame but atleast in small circle whenever gets a opportunity, who knows any small effort can make a big difference towards building our Nation again. 

Deal with #DeMonetisation or Deal with Politics !!

Whether to politize the issue of Demonetisation or not but fact will remain that to bring the life back in Indian economy someone had to make a decision to abolish the old currency with the new one. No doubt that its a beauty of democracy that every tough decision will be challenge in the people's house but when it goes beyond the boundaries or in road then things won't look good for the benefit of the people but looks to be more personally motive then fight for the change. When a Person elected to lead the Country with full majority after doing promise to end the black money and its market and later he did proves his promise with a action in reality then in that step we needs to stand with the motive rather then questioning on the decision. Its not compulsory that every decision have to be perfect and would not have any negative effect also it may not that easy to implement as its in theories but one thing for sure that Black Money and Corruption are the two major links to destroy any Country's Economy and its Growth. With Black Money not only the people are running from the responsibilities to be a participant of Country's Development but also decimating society by parting into two.

Image taken from BharatKhabar.com

Few people got too much in the society and few are struggling with their basic needs. There is a cruel reality in the society that below poverty level peoples sustenance are drugs to remain alive, it means that forget about two time meal its hard to have one chapati itself in a day thats why consumption of drugs in extreme poverty line are more and small kids and womens are addicted towards it because of unbearable hunger but interestingly at the same time every year crores of rupees of foodgrains destroys during Mansoon because of not having enough shelters, this loss causes Farmers financially as well and literally break them down. Government surely comes forward to cure the trouble but any relief program take its own time and pace before to reach to the end person. Government then charges tax to cure their own loss which hike the prices of every need of a human to survive and at the end of the day poor remain poor which struggled to have food, Government remains busy to settle down the problem before to face another, farmer remain ignorant. But whats the moral of entire cycle ? Had system has the resort of our one basic need we could have see the all new different Country today. Still many states are yet to bring Food Security and moreover Food Security Bill once become the battle of great politics too when its motive was questioned due to its timing.

There is no harm to raise finger, there is no harm to ask question but is it right to oppose every good thing all the time ? I think that is one of the reason why India never being a super power and busying blowing a self made trumpet, when I wrote Can India become a next Super Power ? I tried to bring a very little over politics but reality is that unless politics are happening from open mind and clean heart with a vision in eyes and jobs in hand no one can stop the Country being a Super Power or to become Superior Leader of the World. I think politics's another meaning is dealing with reality as well, you have reason, if you have will to face the challenges and if you got mandate to overcome the odds then you should do it rather then waiting for the time as opportunity won't wait. There is another reason why India never drive the World rather then being driven is because of lack in unity, there is no support but have lots question behind the intentions. Yes question needs to be asked and have to be answered but will be in the cost of image damaging ? Today in the World if you're weaker inside then will be weaker from outside as well.

One of the biggest reason why India's Economical part is still struggling is because still we're far behind to adopt the E Cash facilities relying on Cash based transaction more. Cash in the market and if its not returning back into the source then surely a fall of economical structure, If in any Country Small Denomination Notes start revolving perfectly then surely that Country doing tremendously well in economical zone. Government may trying to bring the big notes from which expenditure increases and it get easily consume but does Government thinking to strengthen the source of Income as well ? Nowhere days getting Rs. 8000 job is very tough and spending Rs. 8000 in a day is very easy, money stuck in because of no job security, not a attractive package hence reason of expenditure is also quite less. If money start releasing in a weekly basis rather then in a Monthly basis then surely people will have more planning and spending as well but there should be a fix minimum amount which a person will get anyhow rather then being on hold in a system.

Today our Finance Ministry may be pushing to bring the economy back but it looks to be a one time process and that too bringing Money for their own dream projects and plannings, this move still not assuring the income of middle class and lower class family. Motionless structure means failure of economical growth which is registering its steady pace and not working towards a big moment. No income and no money led the system dried and cold. Till now Black Money impacted the Country and as mentioned still we failed to adopt the E Cash facility, India's own RUPAY card struggling to create its own place infront of International Giants. Indian Banks though providing International Debit Card but far behind to educate peoples on the usage of it, many still believes to be it as a ATM Card and many still didn't opted it because they don't know how to operate it. We still yet to have "On the Go Era" in the Country. Its not wrong to say that all the E Payment websites started in the Country with a huge cashback offers but when they become famous they brought a huge cut off now it looks like that Companies are happily able to bring investment home from past figure and stats.

To be honest today Country need Political Will, Political Support to secure Peoples life in a better way by creating better opportunities and make sure that everyone got a better lifestyle by that only industries after industries will able to flourish and we have the economical transform. This will be the only way Country will be strong on every pitch and will ables to appeal more infront of the World, its very easy to shout in every corner for everything but will it be helpful for the people who impacted from the blow ? Becoming voice of a voiceless is welcome infact we needed many in every front but becoming voice to cut another voice is quite harmful and painful because it only raise the voices which will override the actual cause. Implementations should made in a better manner but just to fear of this we can't keeps on pushing till it become more worse. Its being said that better face the heat when flames are light rather then when its in full force. If you has strength and power you can create history or you just keeps on waiting. Today we're living in the era of "Now or Never" there is no second and third choice hence its better to do and get criticised rather then get criticised by doing nothing because if intentions are clear then will be applauded but if intentions are wrong then have to pay the price of consequences.