Has UPI Surpassed Visa Transactions Among Tea Sellers and Vegetable Vendors? Ashwini Vaishnaw Celebrates Digital India
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Synopsis
Discover how UPI has transformed digital payments for tea sellers and vegetable vendors, surpassing Visa transactions and marking a significant milestone in India's digital economy. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shares inspiring stories and future initiatives that empower millions across the nation.
Key Takeaways
- UPI transactions have surpassed Visa payments, highlighting a significant shift in digital payments.
- The CSC network now reaches nearly 90% of villages in India.
- Over 74,000 women lead CSCs, showcasing women's empowerment.
- Free AI training will be provided to enhance digital skills.
- Focus on cybersecurity and capacity building is essential for future growth.
New Delhi, July 16 (NationPress) In a remarkable turn of events, when skeptics doubted the capability of tea sellers and vegetable vendors to engage in digital payments, this vision has now been realized -- UPI payments have overtaken Visa transactions, declared Union Minister for Electronics and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, on Sunday.
Speaking to an enthusiastic audience at the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre to mark a decade of Digital India, he emphasized this achievement as the collective strength of 1.4 billion Indians.
The event celebrated India's inspiring transformation from a digitally divided nation to the world's third-largest digital economy.
Central to this evolution is the CSC network, a rural digital framework that now connects nearly 90 percent of villages in the country, empowering individuals at the grassroots level.
Minister Vaishnaw commended the contributions of countless Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) who have made digital services accessible even in the most remote areas of India.
He shared inspiring stories of women like Manjulata from Odisha’s Mayurbhanj and Rose Angelina from Meghalaya’s East West Khasi Hills.
These women have triumphed over challenges, embraced digital skills, and made significant impacts in their communities through CSC centres.
The Minister also made several significant announcements to further propel the Digital India initiative.
He announced that free artificial intelligence training will be offered to 10 lakh individuals, prioritizing all VLEs.
Additionally, he urged all CSCs to provide IRCTC ticketing services and pledged to collaborate with Chief Ministers to connect state IT agencies with CSC-SPV.
Union Minister of State Jitin Prasada also addressed the gathering, praising the tremendous expansion of CSCs -- from merely 83,000 centres in 2014 to nearly 5.5 lakh centres today.
He highlighted the significance of digital empowerment and the pivotal role of women VLEs, with over 74,000 women now leading centres across India.
Prasada also stressed the importance of focusing on cybersecurity, awareness, and capacity building in critical sectors such as health, agriculture, and education.
He suggested enabling CSCs to provide more services, including Update Client Lite and state government schemes, to enhance VLE income.
Point of View
This achievement underscores the transformative power of technology in empowering the most marginalized sectors of society. Digital payments are not just reshaping the economic landscape; they are fostering inclusivity and progress, aligning with the core principles of Digital India.
NationPress
16/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is UPI?
UPI stands for Unified Payments Interface, a real-time payment system that allows users to link multiple bank accounts to a single mobile application, facilitating seamless money transfers.
How has UPI impacted rural vendors?
UPI has made digital transactions accessible for rural vendors, enabling them to engage in modern commerce, increasing their customer base and income opportunities.
What role do Village Level Entrepreneurs play?
Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) are crucial in promoting digital services in rural areas, helping to bridge the digital divide and empower local communities.
What initiatives are being introduced to enhance digital skills?
The government plans to offer free artificial intelligence training to 10 lakh individuals, prioritizing Village Level Entrepreneurs to further enhance their skills and service offerings.
How has the number of CSCs changed?
The number of Common Service Centres (CSCs) has grown significantly, from 83,000 in 2014 to approximately 5.5 lakh today, showcasing the expansion of digital services across India.
