Post News Network
The onus is on tech-savvy youth to impart knowledge of digital transactions to thousands of technologically-challenged people thereby assisting in the ushering in of a cashless economy
After demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes earlier this month, common people, especially the marginal sections, have had to face tremendous hardship. The central government has been propagating the virtues of cashless transactions to overcome the difficulty that has resulted after the demonetisation decision. But the big question is, in a country where a significant section of the populace is still illiterate, how can the marginalised and downtrodden sections handle online and card transactions that call for not just general but also technical knowledge. The PM believes educated youths can volunteer to educate rural folk how to conduct digital transactions. Orissa Post highlights the views of youths on this issue.
“Despite illiteracy, many people manage to use a cell phone. These people may not be good at writing or reading, but they have their own ways of recognising letters and numerals. I have some friends who are not educated but they can correctly recognise the name of a film by gazing at the poster. Thus, once it becomes mandatory for every adult to carry out electronic transactions, they would find ways to execute those transactions. Besides, in every family there are one or two youngsters and youths of the present generation are well-versed in technology. They can help the others in their family manage online accounts,” said Deepak Sadangi from Bolangir.
Minu Jaiswal is a commerce student from Belpahad in Jharsuguda district. She feels people will take some time to overcome the difficulty of acute cash crunch. Dwelling on the duty of youths today she said: “The country is changing. And like the five fingers of the palm, all the citizens are not equally knowledgeable. However, others, especially youths, can help those who have no inkling about the latest technology. Also, today we have mobile banking and there are plenty of users. So, once people are educated about online transactions, they will no longer face difficulty in handling their personal transactions. However, everyone cannot grab the nitty-gritty in one go and as a result some people will definitely face problems initially. But things will fall into place after a point.”
Bhubaneswar-based Chandan Mishra is a student. He said: “Presently, we are facing problems. ATMs and banks are overcrowded. But once we are acquainted with electronic transactions, payments will become simpler. Like in the market often we face problems in rendering the exact amount. When you need to pay a sum like, say, Rs 73 or Rs 28 you face difficulties fishing out the change. In these cases, the shopkeeper returns you toffees instead of the small change, although you don’t need toffees. But when you buy goods through cards or online, the exact amount is debited from your account. So, you don’t need to carry coins.”
“I have noticed that online products are better and cheaper. Also, you have plenty of time to choose the exact product you want before placing an online order. If I visit a garment shop and spend a bit of time choosing a dress, I naturally feel ashamed with the shopkeeper and others around me getting impatient with my delay. But in online stores, only you and the mobile are there. You take your own sweet time to choose a dress with nobody around asking you to hurry up. You can meet your exact requirement unlike in a shop. However, it will be a tough job for many illiterate people who do not have the knowledge of either operating a computer or conducting online transactions. The problem with online transactions is that if you wrongly press a button, the computer takes it as the final command and processes the transaction accordingly. But, in a shop, someone may come to your rescue and help rectify your error. Youths should take the lead in educating society about the benefits of digital transactions,” said Archita Panigrahi who teaches at a computer institute in the capital city.
