Don't fall for this trap ever!

What happened to me on that unfortunate night will blow your mind...

It's been a year for me in Hyderabad and this 'Cyberabad' has always surprised me again and again. The following experience that I am going to share now will make you really think that how common people are now easily connected to the well established digital ecosystem of India and the startup environment that is shaping our country towards a success story post demonetisation.

I was suffering for a few days from alleged sinusitis and a definite throat pain possibly due to weather change after heavy rains in the city. To add to the horror, the severity of the throat pain just got increased with the darkness of night and I was left with no other option than searching for pills at my home to get immediate relief!

I failed miserably that night.

It was also raining cats and dogs I remember, and any ENT doctor's appointment was a distant 'wet' dream indeed.

I was left with no other choice than going for online help.

PS: Unfortunately , a single life betrays you here.

I opened up the Practo app, searched for online video consultation after paying the required fees and one of the doctors' on the app who was from Bangalore prescribed me a few medicines to take asap.

Setting my foot outside with such pain and rain combo was a test of time. I opened the Apollo 24|7 app on my smartphone and started searching for the medicines available. I just uploaded the image of the doctors' prescription and OMG... 20 mins was the ETA of medicine delivery at my home as per the App with a delivery OTP.

Who keeps cash these days in hand post demonetisation drive and multiple options of UPI apps are available in India now from Phonepe to Cred Pay , etc etc...

CRED Pay UPI app helped me with the processing of payment within seconds and I received all my medicines before time delivered right at my home.

No need for cash or credit card or debit card was required at all.

The entire experience took just less than an hour! WOW. I saved my time and resources from unnecessary travelling in the rains with the risk of getting drenched further and peacefully preparing my dinner in between to take the medicines as prescribed!

So how was I able to win that night? It was all possible because of stakeholders who were there to make it possible that night.

It is because of the robust digital infrastructure at present now in our country.

Reliance's Jio was launched in 2016 with 4G services that disrupted the telecom Industry relieving the common man from higher tariffs and providing affordable mobile phones and internet availability to every nook and corner of the country.

Indian banks launch their respective UPIs from Apr'2016.

India's first UPI app PhonePe was founded in 2015 and launched in Aug' 2016.

Demonetisation was announced in Nov'2016 by GOI that later created a mindset shift of an average Indian to go for hassle-free online payment and not to carry cash in hand and not to fear of 'mere paise chori ho gaye toh? ' syndrome!

India was creating the infrastructure necessary for its youth to think beyond a 9 to 5 job; startup culture was at peak post Covid during 2021 with the record funding of $36 billions! It's not a joke!!

As of now there are more than 100,000 startups in India who are directly or indirectly making it possible for me to get my medicines at discounted prices delivered within a few minutes even if i am at a remote location with no cash in hand. Its Possible hence proved.

From 2015 to 2024, India has come a very long way and I would request let us not criticize ourselves, nor compare or contrast with any other country in size comparable where the consumer market is as complex and diverse politically, culturally and geographically. China is not the largest democracy on earth. Period.

So from next time, if anyone questions your capability as an Indian don't hesitate to tell them my story tonight!

Good night, hope you get your groceries delivered at your doorstep tomorrow morning before 7 am from Country Delight . Oh yes , you can re-schedule from your smartphone before midnight !

Adios.

#Indianstartupsuccessstories #digitalIndia #startupIndia