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UPI for Feature Phones from RBI

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On Tuesday, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced UPI123Pay, a new digital payment option for feature phones based on the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). The UPI system has so far been restricted to smartphones with internet access. India’s mobile phone population is estimated to be at 180 million. 78 crore of these people have smartphones, while the remaining 78 crores have feature phones. Due to the phone they use, tens of thousands of users have been unable to do UPI transactions. The central bank of India introduced this new payment mechanism to incorporate all such users and bring them into the mainstream of digital payments.

“UPI123Pay would enable NPCI to accomplish its goal of a billion or more daily UPI transactions,” said Biswamohan Mahapatra, head of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the country’s umbrella organization for retail digital payments.

Working of UPI on Feature Phones?

Users will be able to conduct UPI transactions on feature phones using UPI 123Pay. Except for the scan and pay UPI option available for smartphones, consumers will be able to use all other functionalities. Transactions with the new digital payment mode don’t require an internet connection. To utilize the UPI 123Pay service, people must link their bank accounts to their feature phones. People with feature phones can now use the UPI 123Pay option for a variety of payments, from person to person to the merchant. UPI 123Pay would employ Hindi and English as their primary languages at first.

“We feel that the novel functions available on feature phones would give UPI a boost in many geographies across the country, transforming the way payments are perceived,” Mahapatra said.

UPI: India’s Most Popular Payment Method

In recent years, UPI has become one of India’s most popular payment methods. UPI is the country’s single largest retail payment system in terms of transaction volume.

“A substantial portion of digitalization is limited to people with smartphones, notwithstanding our tremendous growth in digital payments.” “About 40 crore feature phone users had limited access to digital payments,” said T Rabi Sankar, deputy governor of the Reserve Bank of India. He stated that the goal is to attract a significant number of feature phone users into the UPI payment system.

“To further popularise the usage of digital payments, a framework for retail offline payments across the country has been proposed.” This announcement has its roots in a series of successful pilot studies. The results of these experiments strongly suggest that there is more leeway for digital payment-related solutions, particularly in rural areas. According to Nitin Mathur, CEO of Tavaga Advisory Services, “the RBI is enthusiastic about expanding the ease of doing business in India as well as more innovative fintech prospects to capitalize on” as a result of this development.

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Unplanned Redevelopment Will Make Vashi Unlivable: Ganesh Naik Orders Strict Probe

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Senior leader demands action against corrupt officials and halts suspicious building demolitions in Sector 9.

The Redevelopment

Raising a stern alarm over reckless urban expansion, State Minister Ganesh Naik has ordered a crackdown on questionable redevelopment projects across Navi Mumbai, taking a strong stand to protect the planned character of the satellite city.

Focusing on two controversial redevelopment sites in Vashi Sector 9 the Naivedya and Albela buildings Naik directed municipal officials to immediately halt suspicious demolitions, revoke dubious commencement certificates (CCs), and initiate strict action against civic personnel involved in illegal approvals.

Addressing citizens at a recently held Janata Darbar, Naik voiced deep concern over the misuse of cluster redevelopment schemes and Floor Space Index (FSI) regulations, warning that unchecked high-rise construction without matching infrastructure will overwhelm roads, water supply, and parking facilities.

“If increased FSI is granted to every building without planning proper roads, parking, and water supply, Navi Mumbai will become completely unliveable,” Naik asserted, urging an immediate audit of civic approvals. Ganesh Naik’s firm stance underlines a growing effort to hold civic authorities accountable and ensure that urban renewal respects public safety, transparency, and the long-term wellbeing of residents.

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Navi Mumbai Blends Faith and Freedom in Grand Rally

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Citizens gather in Nerul as a revered ‘Mrtika Kalash’ ceremony inspires a high-energy Tiranga Yatra ahead of Independence Day.

The Rally

A deep sense of community and pride filled the grounds of Nerul Shiravane School & Junior College as residents gathered for a unique event combining local spiritual heritage with national patriotism.

Organized under the leadership of BJP District President Dr. Rajesh Patil, the morning began with a solemn ceremony venerating a Mrtika Kalash a sacred soil urn honoring the equality-focused teachings of Saint Ravidas Maharaj. Leaders and local citizens pledged to spread his message of social harmony before presenting 13 sacred urns to regional representatives.

The quiet ceremony soon transformed into high-energy celebration as students, party workers, and local families launched a massive Tiranga Yatra in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Har Ghar Tiranga call.

Prominent figures, including Mayor Sujata Patil, Belapur MLA Manda Mhatre, and Deputy Mayor Dashrath Bhagat, marched alongside school children waving national flags amid spirited chants of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Vande Mataram”.

Reflecting on the event, community leaders emphasized that while generations and personal views evolve, the flag remains an unbreakable bond: “When you hold the Tiranga, every division disappears. You aren’t defined by caste, background, or belief you stand purely as an Indian.” By weaving Maharashtra’s rich saint tradition into the lead-up to Independence Day, Navi Mumbai honored the legacy of past freedom fighters while inspiring a fresh commitment to national unity.

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Sea of Saffron, White, and Green: Navi Mumbai Unites for Grand ‘Tiranga Yatra’

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Hundreds take to the streets as the city rallies behind the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign ahead of Independence Day.

The Yatra

Streets from Blue Diamond Chowk to Vashi’s iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Chowk turned into a vibrant wave of patriotism as hundreds gathered for a massive Tiranga Yatra organized by the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Led under the guidance of State Forest Minister Ganesh Naik, the march echoed with energetic chants of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Vande Mataram”, bringing together residents across ages, backgrounds, and political spheres.

Key leaders, including Mayor Sujata Patil, former MP Sanjeev Naik, former MLA Sandeep Naik, BJP District President Dr. Rajesh Patil, and Deputy Mayor Dashrath Bhagat, walked alongside local citizens, civic officials, and young volunteers.

Speaking at the event, Mayor Sujata Patil highlighted the deeper meaning of the national flag: “The Tiranga isn’t just three colors on cloth; it embodies our nation’s power, peace, and progress. When we hold it, regional and community divides disappear we stand purely as Indians.”

Former MP Sanjeev Naik urged every household to hoist the flag, framing it as a shared commitment toward building a developed nation (Viksit Bharat). The rally served as both a tribute to India’s freedom fighters and a celebration of collective unity, setting an inspiring tone for the upcoming Independence Day festivities across Navi Mumbai.

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