Arin Ashutosh Gupta
In a world where financial technology is evolving at an unprecedented pace, the informal sector in India faces both challenges and opportunities as digital payments gain momentum. Arin Ashutosh Gupta, a Grade 12 student at Maxfort School, Rohini, has taken up the task of exploring this transformation through his latest documentary. With a focus on how digital payments are reshaping the livelihoods of millions who operate in the informal economy, Arin's project aims to shed light on the impacts-both positive and negative-of this rapid transition.
"Whenever I would buy street food or talk to local shopkeepers, I noticed a growing number of them preferred digital payment methods. It made me wonder-how are these technologies really affecting their businesses?" Arin reflects on the inspiration behind his documentary. He had to bring the reality of the situation to the public. He sought the advice of Yashi Shukla, a renowned global career counsellor. While discussing his passion to address this issue and create a tangible solution, it was Yashi who encouraged Arin to take up a documentary project.
Thus, he embarked on an in-depth research journey, engaging with vendors, daily wage labourers, and small-scale business owners. His findings reveal a sector that is gradually embracing the convenience of digital payments but is also grappling with new challenges such as technological literacy, transaction fees, and internet access.
"Some of the vendors I spoke to told me how they saw a surge in business just because they started accepting digital payments. Customers preferred it. For the first time, these small business owners felt they were on par with bigger stores," Arin shares. His footage highlights the success stories of entrepreneurs who managed to double their profits by embracing this shift, using their smartphones as tools for growth.
However, Arin is careful not to present a one-sided narrative. His documentary also focuses on those left behind by the digital wave. "For every success story, there's also someone who's struggling," Arin points out. Many informal workers still lack access to smartphones, internet data, or the basic know-how to handle these platforms. They often face issues such as transaction failures, delays in payments, and the burden of transaction fees, which eat into their slim profit margins.
Arin's passion for addressing social issues isn't new. "This is an extension of my long-standing interest in social entrepreneurship and understanding how technology can create more inclusive economies," he shares. The documentary, which he plans to release at various school and community events, is not just an exploration of the topic but a call to action. Arin hopes to foster conversations about how policymakers and fintech companies can better support the informal sector. He calls for targeted financial literacy programs and affordable, reliable infrastructure that can help bridge the digital divide in India. His project stresses the need for companies and policymakers to design payment platforms and technologies that are accessible to all, especially those who may not be tech-savvy or who operate in areas with poor connectivity.
In the coming months, Arin plans to showcase his documentary at community screenings, schools, and even local government offices, to raise awareness about the issues highlighted in his film. He is also considering collaborating with NGOs and fintech companies to develop training programs that can help small business owners and informal workers navigate the digital payment landscape more effectively.
As India moves towards becoming a cashless economy, Arin's documentary stands as a vital piece of work, reminding us that technological progress must be inclusive to benefit all layers of society.
