A visually impaired beggar in Guwahati, Assam, made headlines recently for his innovative approach to seeking alms. He was spotted using a PhonePe QR code card worn around his neck, allowing donors to make digital payments. A video capturing the moment of him receiving an online payment further underscored technology’s ability to break socioeconomic barriers.
Congress leader Gaurav Somani shared the clip on social media, expressing awe at the beggar’s integration of digital transactions into his plea for assistance. Somani emphasized the significance of technology’s role in transcending traditional limitations, regardless of one’s socio-economic status. The incident sparked discussions about the evolving landscape of compassion and innovation in society.
In the viral video, the beggar, identified as Dashrath, is seen approaching two individuals in a car, where one of them scans the PhonePe QR code to send him Rs 10. Dashrath, visibly pleased, holds his phone close to his ear to hear the notification of the money being deposited into his account.
While Dashrath’s adoption of digital payments is noteworthy, he’s not alone in leveraging technology to enhance his earnings. In New Delhi, Ayesha Sharma, a 29-year-old transwoman, has also embraced UPI payment apps as a means of collecting alms. This method has not only made it convenient for donors to contribute, especially when they lack small change, but has also increased Ayesha’s income.
Sharma, who has been a street beggar since 2006, shared with Al Jazeera that approximately a quarter of her earnings now come through digital transactions. “It is so much easier now. Even though people are not always carrying cash, they can still donate to us by just scanning this code,” she expressed. “We may be beggars, but we should still be treated with respect and decency,” she emphasized, highlighting how digital transactions have spared them from the prejudice and discrimination often faced while visiting banks.
Notably, last year, a video of a transwoman in Bengaluru accepting money through UPI garnered widespread attention on social media, further showcasing the increasing adoption of digital payment methods among marginalized communities.
In the viral clip, the transwoman is depicted requesting money from a passing bike rider, who inquired about alternative payment methods besides cash. Swiftly, she produced a card featuring a QR code. With ease, the bike rider proceeded to scan the QR code and successfully transferred funds to her account, showcasing the seamless integration of digital payment options into everyday transactions for marginalized individuals.