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.
July 12 – Appeal No 53
April 11 – Declare ‘Safe ePay
Day’,
Yes, April 11 is vacant in the UN
Observance Day calendar
UPI 10th Birthday -April 11 2026 – 273
Days to go
July 12 International Day of Hope:
Empowering Futures with Safe ePay Day’s Secure Transactions
Bridging Hope and Financial
Inclusion: Celebrating International Day of Hope and the Proposed Safe ePay Day
Introduction
On July 12, the global community
unites to observe the International Day of Hope, a United Nations observance
that celebrates hope as a cornerstone for well-being, mutual respect, social
stability, and sustainable development.
Rooted in the principles of the
United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, this day
emphasizes hope’s role in fostering peace, trust, and collective resilience,
aligning with key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as health,
education, and economic growth.
In parallel, there is a
compelling proposal to establish April 11 as Safe ePay Day, commemorating the
pilot launch of India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) on April 11, 2016. UPI
has transformed digital payments in India, processing an astounding 18.67
billion transactions worth ₹25.14 trillion (approximately $293 billion USD) in
May 2025 alone, equivalent to nearly 7,000 transactions per second. Safe ePay
Day aims to celebrate UPI’s legacy, promote secure digital payment practices,
honor the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), and inspire a global
movement for inclusive fintech solutions.
This blog post explores the
origins, significance, and celebrations of the International Day of Hope,
delves into the proposed Safe ePay Day, and illustrates how these observances
can be intertwined to promote hope and financial inclusion. By connecting these
initiatives, we can envision a world where secure digital transactions empower
communities and foster hope for a brighter future.
International Day of Hope
Origins
On July 12, we join the world in
celebrating the International Day of Hope, a UN observance established on March
4, 2025, through a resolution led by H.E. Ambassador Teburoro Tito of Kiribati
and supported by 161 member states.
This day, rooted in the UN
Charter and Universal Declaration of Human Rights, champions hope as a skill
that fosters resilience, mental health, and unity. Let’s spark hope by sharing
stories, planting sunflowers 🌻, or
hosting “Circle of Hope” events! #InternationalDayOfHope #IDOH2025
#LetsShineHope
It draws inspiration from the
United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which
emphasize the inherent dignity and equal rights of all people. This observance
underscores hope as a universal value that transcends cultural and geographic
boundaries, uniting communities in pursuit of a better future.
Significance
Hope is a powerful catalyst for
positive change, fostering well-being, mutual respect, social stability, and
sustainable development. The International Day of Hope aligns with several
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being –
Promoting mental health and resilience.
- SDG 4: Quality Education –
Encouraging education that fosters hope and empowerment.
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth –
Supporting economic opportunities for all.
- SDG 13: Climate Action –
Inspiring collective action for environmental sustainability.
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong
Institutions – Building trust and dialogue for peaceful
societies.
By promoting hope, this day
supports peacebuilding, trust, and collective resilience, addressing global
challenges such as poverty, inequality, and conflict.
Celebration
The International Day of Hope is
celebrated through diverse activities that inspire and unite communities:
- Education and Awareness:
Schools and organizations host talks, workshops, and activities to teach
resilience and the importance of hope.
- Community Engagement:
Initiatives like Hope Hubs and mentoring programs foster community
connections and support.
- Cultural Expression: Art
exhibits, performances, and creative projects convey messages of hope and
unity.
- Service and Reconciliation:
Interfaith gatherings, volunteering, and community service activities
promote healing and collaboration.
Individuals and organizations can
participate by hosting “Circle of Hope” conversations, mentoring youth,
cleaning public spaces, or volunteering for mental health helplines. These
actions embody the spirit of hope, encouraging collective action and positive
change.
Emoticons
To capture the essence of the
International Day of Hope, emoticons like 🌟 (symbolizing hope and inspiration), 🤝 (representing trust and
unity), and 🌍
(reflecting global solidarity) are fitting for social media and awareness
campaigns.
Proposed Safe ePay Day
Origins
Safe ePay Day is proposed to be
observed on April 11, marking the pilot launch of UPI on April 11, 2016, by the
National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). UPI is an instant payment system
that facilitates seamless inter-bank peer-to-peer (P2P) and person-to-merchant
(P2M) transactions via mobile devices, using Virtual Payment Addresses or QR
codes. With over 500 million active users in 2025, UPI has become a cornerstone
of India’s digital economy.
Significance
The establishment of Safe ePay
Day seeks to achieve four key objectives:
1.
Celebrate UPI’s Legacy: UPI has
revolutionized financial inclusion in India, enabling instant transactions for
everyone from street vendors to entrepreneurs. In May 2025, UPI processed 18.67
billion transactions worth ₹25.14 trillion, and in the financial year 2023, it
recorded over 84 billion transactions worth ₹139 trillion. Projections estimate
over 456 billion transactions by 2028, highlighting its transformative impact.
2.
Honor NPCI’s Visionary Leadership: NPCI’s
innovative design of UPI as a real-time, interoperable platform has set a
global benchmark, maintaining trust and security across billions of
transactions.
3.
Promote Secure Digital Practices: The rise
of digital payments has brought cybersecurity challenges like phishing and
fraud, with 84,274 UPI fraud cases reported in 2021-22. Safe ePay Day aims to
educate users on practices like two-factor authentication and transaction
verification to enhance security.
4.
Inspire a Global Movement: UPI’s
success has led to its adoption in countries like Nepal, Singapore, and Peru.
Safe ePay Day could encourage global collaboration for secure, inclusive
digital payment systems, positioning India as a fintech leader.
Celebration
Safe ePay Day could be celebrated
through:
- Workshops and Seminars:
Educational sessions on cybersecurity and safe digital payment practices.
- Incentives and Promotions:
Businesses offering discounts or rewards for using secure payment methods.
- Awareness Campaigns:
Media and social media initiatives highlighting the importance of secure
e-payments.
- Community Events:
Local events combining financial literacy with messages of hope and
resilience.
Intertwining Hope and Secure
Digital Payments
The International Day of Hope and
the proposed Safe ePay Day share common themes of trust, resilience, and
inclusivity, making them complementary initiatives. Secure digital payments,
exemplified by UPI, foster hope by promoting financial inclusion, reducing
poverty, and enhancing economic opportunities—goals that align with the SDGs
supported by the International Day of Hope, particularly SDG 8 (Decent Work and
Economic Growth) and SDG 1 (No Poverty).
UPI’s impact in India illustrates
this connection vividly. By enabling instant, low-cost transactions, UPI has
empowered millions, particularly in rural and underserved areas, to participate
in the digital economy.
For example, street vendors can
now accept payments via QR codes, and small businesses can access broader
markets, fostering economic stability and hope for a better future. In 2023,
UPI’s 84 billion transactions demonstrated its role in bridging the urban-rural
divide, a testament to its inclusivity.
The principles of hope—trust,
dialogue, and collective action—are equally vital in the realm of digital
payments. Building trust in digital systems is essential for their adoption,
especially in regions with low financial literacy.
Safe ePay Day’s focus on
cybersecurity education can enhance resilience against fraud, ensuring that
digital payments remain a reliable tool for empowerment.
To celebrate these observances
together, communities could organize events that blend financial education with
messages of hope. On July 12, workshops on digital financial literacy could
highlight how secure payments contribute to economic hope.
On April 11, Safe ePay Day events
could emphasize how financial inclusion fosters resilience and optimism,
perhaps through stories of individuals empowered by UPI. Social media campaigns
could use emoticons like 🌟💸 to
symbolize the fusion of hope and secure digital finance.
Relevance Today
In today’s interconnected world,
both observances are highly relevant. The International Day of Hope addresses
global challenges like mental health crises, social division, and environmental
concerns by promoting collective resilience and optimism.
Similarly, Safe ePay Day tackles
the growing need for secure digital transactions as digital payments become
ubiquitous. With UPI’s global influence and the rise of cyber threats (e.g.,
84,274 UPI fraud cases in 2021-22), promoting secure practices is critical to
maintaining trust in digital economies.
By intertwining these days, we
can create a powerful narrative that links hope with financial empowerment. As
we approach UPI’s tenth anniversary in 2026, establishing Safe ePay Day could
amplify this message, encouraging global collaboration for a secure and
inclusive digital future.
Conclusion
The International Day of Hope and
the proposed Safe ePay Day represent two sides of the same coin: fostering a
better future through trust, resilience, and inclusivity.
The International
Day of Hope inspires us to build peaceful, sustainable communities, while
Safe ePay Day celebrates the transformative power of secure digital payments in
empowering individuals and economies.
As we observe the International Day of Hope on July 12, 2025, and
advocate for Safe ePay Day on April 11, let us embrace their shared vision. By
supporting initiatives that promote financial inclusion and cybersecurity, we
can foster hope for millions, creating a world where every transaction is a
step toward a brighter, more inclusive future.
Join the movement—host a
workshop, share a story, or spread the word with 🌟💸—and let’s build a hopeful,
secure tomorrow together.
Citations
- United
Nations. (n.d.). International Day of Hope. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/en/observances/hope-day
- National
Payments Corporation of India. (n.d.). UPI Ecosystem Statistics. Retrieved
from https://www.npci.org.in/what-we-do/upi/upi-ecosystem-statistics
- Wikipedia.
(2025, May 15). Unified Payments Interface. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unified_Payments_Interface
- Statista.
(2025, July 2). India: number of UPI transactions 2028. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1247111/india-number-of-upi-transactions/
UPI’s Impact: A Snapshot
The following table summarizes UPI’s growth and impact based
on recent data:
Metric |
Details |
Active Users (2025) |
Over 500 million users in India |
Transactions (May 2025) |
18.67 billion transactions worth ₹25.14 trillion (~$293
billion USD) |
Financial Year 2023 |
Over 84 billion transactions worth ₹139 trillion |
Projected Transactions (2028) |
Estimated to exceed 456 billion transactions |
Global Reach |
Adopted in countries like Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka,
Mauritius, UAE, Bhutan, and Peru |
Sources: NPCI,
Wikipedia,
Statista
## 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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