MAM
Crocs kicks off month-long celebration of fans with Croctober
Mumbai: Crocs, a global leader in innovative and casual footwear, has officially kicked off Croctober with month-long festivities dedicated to its passion-fueled and creative fan base, proudly known as Croc Nation. This year’s Croctober transcends former years, with the brand bringing highly anticipated product launches, exciting contests, interactive digital experiences, and more to encourage Crocs fans across the country to be more expressive, creative and to celebrate what it means to truly come as you are.
Kicking off with a bang, the brand has revealed one of the most widely requested Crocs shoe designs in brand history – the Crocs Classic Cowboy Boot! For years, the buzz around a Crocs-inspired cowboy boot has been building, creating a genuine fan-fueled movement trending across social media. Recognising this passion, Crocs is making fan dreams come true, turning the Crocs Classic Cowboy Boot into a reality: a testament to the brand’s commitment to and celebration of Croc Nation.
For the first time ever in India, the Croctober commemoration product will be launched, making it an ode to loyal fans across the country. Launching on Croc Day, a fan-created holiday recognized annually on 23 October, the Crocs Classic Cowboy Boot features a high-shine croc-embossed texture and bold western-inspired stitching. The boot is embellished with unique metallic Jibbitz charms and a first-of-its-kind spin-able spur charm attached to the backstrap of the shoe. On the rivet detail, the iconic black and white Crocs logo of Duke, the brand’s beloved crocodile mascot, has gone country, sporting his very own cowboy hat.
Taking the festivities and brand love further, Crocs is also hosting a creative contest on their social media platforms where one lucky Croc fan will have the chance to win the exclusive Crocs Classic Cowboy Boot. Taking inspiration from Crocs, Croc Nation is invited to create content that embodies the spirit of Come As You Are, with their work being highlighted across Crocs’ platforms and through in-store activations throughout the month.
Keeping with the spirit of engaging Croc Nation on every level, the brand is launching a special AR filter on Meta and Snap which will tell users which Crocs fit their unique personality. In addition, major colleges across the nation will be gifted the Classic Clogs as part of the brand’s fan outreach, to allow them to experience the joy in personalisation.
The Croctober celebration of fandom and creativity doesn’t stop there! The renowned footwear brand will continue to spotlight Crocs-pirations from some of its most creative, boldest fans from all over the globe. Throughout the years, these Crocs Stars have created everything from cake Crocs to life-sized Crocs costumes, and their work will be highlighted across Crocs’ platforms and through in-store activations throughout the month.
The Crocs Classic Cowboy Boot will be available on Crocs.in beginning 23 October for a limited time. Grab a pair and tag @CrocsIndia on social media to celebrate the month as only Croc Nation knows how. For additional Croctober happenings, including surprise-and-delight opportunities, exclusive product announcements and more, fans can follow and use the hashtag #Croctober23.
MAM
10 years of UPI: India’s payments system hits 21.7 billion transactions a month
From queues to QR codes, digital push drives inclusion and real-time ease
NEW DELHI: India’s digital payments story has come a long way from queues at bank counters to instant QR code scans, with the Unified Payments Interface now processing a staggering 21.7 billion transactions in a single month, underlining its position as the world’s leading real-time payments system.
Not too long ago, routine transactions meant paperwork, waiting periods and, for many, complete exclusion from the formal financial system. Today, that landscape has been fundamentally reshaped by a digital ecosystem built on scale, simplicity and accessibility.
The shift gained momentum in the early 2000s when the Reserve Bank of India introduced systems such as RTGS and IMPS. While these laid the groundwork for faster payments, their reach remained limited to those already within the banking fold.
A decisive breakthrough came with the JAM trinity, combining the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Aadhaar and widespread mobile connectivity. This framework expanded financial access, enabled direct benefit transfers and familiarised millions with digital transactions.
“The JAM Trinity catapulted our banking to a different level altogether,” said Nirmala Sitharaman, highlighting its transformative impact.
Launched in 2016 by the National Payments Corporation of India, UPI simplified money transfers by removing the need for complex bank details. With just a mobile number or UPI ID, users can send and receive money instantly, round the clock.
Its scale has expanded rapidly, with participating banks growing from just over 200 in 2021 to nearly 700 by early 2026. Today, UPI accounts for 81 percent of India’s retail digital transactions and nearly half of global real-time payment volumes, according to global institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
Beyond convenience, the platform has driven deeper financial inclusion. From street vendors and autorickshaw drivers to rural traders and domestic workers, millions now participate in the formal economy through instant, low-cost transactions. The system has also opened doors to credit, insurance and savings products for previously underserved segments.
New features such as UPI Lite, AutoPay and credit integration are further expanding its scope, turning it into a broader financial platform rather than just a payments tool. At the same time, enhanced security measures like two-factor authentication have strengthened user trust and reduced fraud risks.
India’s payments innovation is also gaining global traction, with UPI-linked systems now operational in multiple countries, enabling seamless cross-border transactions and boosting remittances.
What began as a solution for financial inclusion has evolved into a global benchmark for digital payments. As India continues to move from queues to QR codes, UPI stands as a powerful example of how technology can simplify everyday life while driving economic participation at scale.
