The Citizen Advocate Summary: Declaring April 11 as Safe ePay Day
Proposing April 11 as Safe ePay
Day to mark UPI’s pilot launch on April 11, 2016, by NPCI with 21 banks,
initiated by Dr. Raghuram G. Rajan in Mumbai. This initiative celebrates UPI’s
seamless integration of banking and merchant payments.
June 26 – Appeal No 37
April 11 – Declare ‘Safe ePay
Day’, Yes, April 11 is vacant in the UN Observance Day calendar
UPI 10th
Birthday -April 11 2026 – 289 Days to go
June 26 – National Barcode Day. Non – UN Observance Day
This day marks the anniversary of the first-ever retail barcode scan—on June
26, 1974, a 10‑pack of Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit gum was scanned in Troy,
Ohio—ushering in an era of automated checkout and transforming global commerce
with accuracy and efficiency (nationaldaycalendar.com).
It celebrates the humble
barcode’s role in simplifying everything from shopping and shipping to
healthcare and libraries.
Wrigley Company took the Leap of
faith, to introduce the Barcode on its products in a retail setting. Yes, it is
necessary to take the leap of faith.
And, this year it is time to celebrate
Fifty Years of the Retail Barcode.
June 26 National Barcode Day:
Scanning the Past, Securing the Future with April 11 Safe ePay Day 🎉
Celebrating National Barcode Day
and the Future of Safe ePay Day 🎉
Key Points
- National Barcode Day is
celebrated annually on June 26, marking the first UPC scan in 1974.
- Barcodes have transformed retail, logistics,
healthcare, and more with efficiency and accuracy.
- The proposed Safe ePay Day on April 11
aims to promote secure digital payments globally.
- Both days highlight technological
advancements that make transactions faster and safer.
What is National Barcode Day?
Every June 26, we celebrate National Barcode Day,
a day dedicated to the technology that revolutionized how we track and purchase
products. On June 26, 1974, a pack of Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit gum was scanned at
a Marsh supermarket in Troy, Ohio, marking the first use of a Universal Product
Code (UPC). This milestone, driven by IBM engineer George Lauer, changed retail
forever.
Why Barcodes Matter
Barcodes streamline processes
across industries, from speeding up grocery checkouts to tracking medical
supplies. They reduce errors, save time, and make our daily lives more
convenient. Whether you’re shopping or boarding a flight, barcodes are quietly working
behind the scenes.
Looking Ahead: Safe ePay Day
The proposed Safe ePay Day
on April 11 celebrates the 2016 launch of India’s Unified Payments Interface
(UPI), which now processes over 14 billion transactions monthly. This
initiative aims to promote secure digital payments worldwide, emphasizing
cybersecurity and financial inclusion.
Join the Celebration
On National Barcode Day, share
your barcode stories with #NationalBarcodeDay and appreciate this game-changing
technology. Support the vision for Safe ePay Day to ensure a secure digital
future for all.
A Deep Dive into National Barcode
Day and the Vision for Safe ePay Day 🚀
Introduction
On June 26, 2025, we celebrate National
Barcode Day, a day that honors a small but mighty invention that
transformed global commerce. From grocery stores to hospitals, barcodes have
made our world more efficient and accurate. Meanwhile, the proposed Safe
ePay Day on April 11 looks to the future, celebrating India’s Unified
Payments Interface (UPI) and advocating for secure digital payments worldwide.
Let’s explore these two pivotal technologies and their impact on our lives. 🎊
The History of National Barcode
Day
National Barcode Day, observed
annually on June 26, commemorates the first use of the Universal Product Code
(UPC) in a retail setting. On June 26, 1974, a clerk at a Marsh supermarket in
Troy, Ohio, scanned a 10-pack of Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit gum, marking a historic
moment in retail history (Barcoding, Inc.).
This event, driven by IBM engineer George Lauer, introduced a system that would
streamline transactions and inventory management.
The concept of barcodes began in
1948 when Bernard Silver and Norman Joseph Woodland, inspired by Morse code,
developed a system to automate product information at checkout. Their original
design resembled bullseyes, patented in 1949, but evolved into the linear
barcodes we know today due to printing advancements (Barcoding.co.uk).
In 2021, industry leaders Barcoding, Inc., Datalogic, and ScanSource
established National Barcode Day to celebrate this milestone (Days Of The
Year).
The Significance of Barcode
Technology
Barcodes have revolutionized
industries by providing a fast, accurate way to track products and data. Here’s
how they impact various sectors:
|
Industry |
Barcode Application |
|
Retail |
Speeds up checkouts and
improves inventory management (National Today). |
|
Logistics |
Tracks shipments in real-time,
ensuring efficient delivery (National
Day Calendar). |
|
Healthcare |
Ensures accurate medication
administration and patient tracking. |
|
Agriculture |
Monitors livestock and crop
inventories with precision. |
|
Libraries |
Simplifies book tracking and
borrowing processes. |
Barcodes, including modern QR
codes, encode vast amounts of data, such as pricing, product details, and
shipping information. They’ve reduced human error and transformed supply
chains, making them indispensable in our daily lives.
Fun Facts About Barcodes
Barcodes are more versatile than
you might think! Here are some fascinating facts (Barcoding.co.uk):
- First Scanned Item:
The 10-pack of Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit gum scanned in 1974 is now displayed
at the Smithsonian Museum.
- Early Use: In the 1960s, the
KarTrak system used barcodes to label railroad cars, though it was
abandoned due to dirt-related inaccuracies.
- Original Design:
Early barcodes resembled bullseyes, inspired by Morse Code, patented in
1949.
- QR Codes on Gravestones:
Since 2010, QR codes on gravestones link to online tributes, connecting
families worldwide.
- Massive Scale:
Linear barcodes can generate over 10 thousand billion unique codes.
- Tracking Bees:
Tiny QR codes (BEEtag) track bee behavior to study pesticide impacts.
- Social Impact: In
Oxford, QR codes enabled cashless donations for homeless individuals,
managed by case workers.
Celebrating National Barcode Day
National Barcode Day, officially
recognized in 2021, is a time to appreciate this transformative technology. In
2024, the 50th anniversary of the first barcode scan was celebrated with
enthusiasm (Barcoding,
Inc.). Here’s how you can join in:
- Host a Barcode Party:
Organize a themed event to celebrate the barcode’s impact.
- Share on Social Media:
Post about barcodes using #NationalBarcodeDay and tag @BarcodingInc.
- Support a Cause:
Profits from the swag store at Supply
Chain Geek benefit the American
Logistics Aid Network (ALAN), aiding disaster relief logistics.
Take a moment to notice barcodes
in your daily life—whether at the grocery store or on a delivery package—and
appreciate their quiet efficiency. 📱
The Vision for Safe ePay Day
While National Barcode Day
celebrates a past innovation, the proposed Safe ePay Day on April 11
looks to the future of secure digital payments. This initiative, inspired by
the pilot launch of India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) on April 11, 2016,
aims to promote cybersecurity and financial inclusion globally (NPCI UPI
Overview).
Why April 11?
UPI, developed by the National
Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has transformed financial transactions in
India, processing over 14 billion transactions monthly as of May 18, 2025. Its
seamless, real-time platform enables instant payments via QR codes or Virtual
Payment Addresses, bridging urban-rural divides. Declaring April 11 as Safe
ePay Day would:
1.
Celebrate UPI’s Legacy: Honor
UPI’s role in empowering millions, from street vendors to entrepreneurs, with
accessible digital payments.
2.
Recognize NPCI’s Leadership:
Acknowledge NPCI’s innovative, secure, and scalable payment system, a global
benchmark.
3.
Promote Cybersecurity: Raise
awareness about safe e-payment practices, like two-factor authentication, to
combat phishing and fraud.
4.
Inspire Global Adoption:
Encourage other nations to develop secure, inclusive payment systems, following
UPI’s success in countries like Nepal and Singapore.
A Global Movement
Safe ePay Day envisions a world
where digital payments are secure and accessible to all. Communities could host
cybersecurity workshops, businesses could offer incentives for safe payment
practices, and schools could educate students on financial technology. As we
approach UPI’s tenth anniversary in 2026, establishing Safe ePay Day could
position India as a fintech leader, much like the International Day of Yoga.
Conclusion
National Barcode Day and the
proposed Safe ePay Day celebrate technologies that have reshaped how we
interact with the world. Barcodes have streamlined commerce for over 50 years,
while UPI’s rise signals a future of secure, inclusive digital payments. By
celebrating these innovations, we honor the past and inspire a safer, more
connected future. Join the celebration on June 26, and support the vision for
April 11 as Safe ePay Day! 🌍
Key Citations
- Barcoding, Inc. -
National Barcode Day Celebration
- Days Of
The Year - National Barcode Day Overview
- National Today -
National Barcode Day History
- National
Day Calendar - National Barcode Day Details
- Barcoding.co.uk
- Seven Fascinating Barcode Facts
- NPCI -
Unified Payments Interface Overview
- American Logistics Aid Network - Disaster
Relief Support
## Call to Action
I urge governments, financial
institutions, businesses, and communities worldwide to join hands in declaring
April 11 as **Safe ePay Day**.
Let’s celebrate UPI’s milestone by
making **Safe ePay Day** a global movement for secure, innovative fintech.
Together, we can build a future
where financial access is universal, and every e-payment is safe—starting with
**Safe ePay Day** in 2026.
No Vada Pav, not even one bite,
Till SafeePay Day takes off in flight.
Quirky vow with a Mumbai flair—
Announce the date, and I’ll be there!
Disclaimer: - The only Joy is Safe ePayments. Nothing
More – Nothing Less.
April 11 – Declare ‘Safe ePay Day’.
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