Over time, digital money is becoming more and more important in our lives. It inspires people to incorporate technology into their lives. Raju Patel, a beggar from Bihar, is one of them!
On Tuesday, ANI reported that Raju Patel had abandoned the traditional method of asking for alms and started using PhonePe, a digital wallet and online payment app.
Bihar | Raju Patel, a beggar in Bettiah, goes digital; accept PhonePe and put a QR code around his neck
“I accept digital payments, it’s enough to get the job done and fill my stomach,” said Raju Patel
Visuals of Bettiah Station pic.twitter.com/nbw83uXop6
— ANI (@ANI) February 8, 2022
Some people, amused by Patel’s innovation, called him “India’s first digital beggar”. Meanwhile, a few people have pointed out how technology and digital literacy have done little to eradicate poverty.
“It’s both good and bad. Luckily digitization has reached the masses. Too bad the government is not doing enough to reduce begging, give jobs and these people themselves feel content to beg and to do nothing for themselves to get by and brighten their future,” one Twitter user commented.
A few Bettiah Twitter users have also pointed out that Patel is a popular figure at Bihar’s Bettiah Railway Station.
Why UPI led to the fetishization of poverty.
Digital payments do not eradicate poverty. https://t.co/gzl5yGh5ML— हीलियोस (@PostSuspension1) February 8, 2022
It’s both good and bad. Fortunately, digitization has reached the masses. Too bad the government is not doing enough to reduce begging, provide jobs and these people themselves feel content to beg and do nothing for themselves to get by and brighten their future.
— _Memyself_ (@keepinitomyself) February 8, 2022
He is a very popular beggar in Bettiah and is known for his antics. The last time I saw him was in 2005, before leaving Bihar. Didn’t change at all. https://t.co/dvldfu3UUi
— Shubhendu (@BBTheorist) February 8, 2022
Raju bhai is a famous man now!!
He was previously an RJP supporter, used to identify himself as the LPY son, now a staunch BJP supporter.You can spot him at Bettiah Station with a tablet around his neck and a Bluetooth speaker. #Indenumeric https://t.co/ePmUSBdTMC
— Aakash Verma ಆಕಾಶ್ ವರ್ಮ 🇮🇳 (@vermaaakash10) February 8, 2022
And then people say Bihar is backwards 😀
Discl: I am a proud Bihari. https://t.co/z6jHkcWisR— Alok Ranjan (@databaaj) February 8, 2022
If so much awareness, intelligence and intelligence were shown by winning through hard work (in case he was not handicapped), he would have made his life more worthy. https://t.co/0r64fRbqdc
— VPC Rao, IRS (retired) (@RaoVPC) February 8, 2022
He is honorable in the search for alms…responsibly, digital transactions.
There are many other, less honorable servants of the ecosystem who seek funding and fail to be accountable. https://t.co/Qc68ry0UI5
— Dr Suchitra Raghavachari (@DrSRaghavachari) February 8, 2022
😂😂 bhai kuch kaam me you dimag lagate to jyada achha hota. https://t.co/09bUein2ZQ pic.twitter.com/K6WXCAfXqK
—jitendra singh (@jitendra161) February 8, 2022
Explaining his need to innovate, Patel told ANI: “Many times people refused to give me alms saying they had no money in small denominations. Many travelers said that in the age of e-wallets, it was no longer necessary to carry cash, for this reason, I opened a bank account and an e-wallet account.
He added, “I accept digital payments, that’s enough to get the job done and fill my stomach.”
