Help push Bhim app for digital future, says PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asked his followers to teach 125 people each how to use the BHIM app — the mobile wallet named after BR Ambedkar, in his latest push for “associating everybody” in a cashless economy.

Modi invoked Ambedkar’s memory and the 125th birth anniversary of the India’s Dalit icon to call upon his followers to undertake this task. “Can you do one thing in the memory of Babasaheb Ambedkar? We have recently celebrated 125th birth anniversary of Baba Saheb Ambedkar. Remembering him, you teach at least 125 persons about downloading the BHIM App,” the PM said in his monthly radio talk show, Mann ki Baat.

The indigenous digital payments app has been downloaded 3 million times and aided 5 lakh transactions since its launch, making it one of India’s most Can you do one thing in the memory of Ambedkar... teach at least 125 persons about BHIM App NARENDRA MODI, Prime Minister popular apps. The PM pushed for wider use and even mentioned about strengthening Ambedkar’s ideas. “Give special importance to Babasaheb Ambedkar’s birth anniversary and the BHIM App. For this, I would like to say that we have to strengthen the foundation laid by Dr Babasaheb. We have to go from door to door associating everybody in order to place the BHIM App in 125 crore hands,” he said.

He appealed that small traders especially should be taught how to make transactions through the app, which was launched on December 30.

The PM’s latest push for digital economy and cashless transactions come amid fierce criticisms of the note ban from both political opponents and economists. The pitch for the government’s app, invoking the Dalit messiah, also comes amid the ongoing polls in Uttar Pradesh where the BJP has dared the Opposition to consider the results as a referendum on demonetisation.

Modi lauded digi-dhan in his Mann ki Baat and said that people are shedding hard currency mindset and moving towards digital currency. “Digital transactions in India are witnessing a very rapid surge. The young generation, in particular, is getting habituated to digital payments through its mobile handsets,” he added.