The two pictures below were not taken to capture the Hummer H2 or the 5star in the background. On the way back from gym, waiting near the Film Nagar signal I noticed a tiny light on the dash go off. Low fuel !! It had to go off the one time I do not carry my wallet.
I pulled into the pump hoping that the Rs500 I found in the car would be enough for me to drive home and back.
I was about to pull out when I realized that there were no eggs at home. A quick stop at Ratnadeep for eggs led to a shopping cart complete with dishwash soap, cocoa etc.
I already knew that Ratnadeep accepted Patym and after another quick transfer I was on my way home. I am a huge believer in digital payments and off late the only places where I use cash are tolls and valet parking..
Be it UPI or Paytm, unless the merchant accepts the payment any fancy payment platform is useless. This last mile connectivity determines the success or failure or any payments platform. Over the last 5 years the key change has been the perspective of the merchant, they are willing to accept payments and not zeroing everything with cash. Even today there are merchants that will give you a discount when you pay in cash and dont take a bill, but they will not refuse your business when you flash your fancy card or phone.
Though the merits and demerits of demonetization can be argued till eternity one key change the most people see is the acceptance of payment and the willingness to pay tax. One might say that this is limited to India and hasn't made headway in Bharat. I say "So what, I can still go to the gym without my wallet."
