MAM
Tripoto and Singapore Tourism Board come together with ‘Trails 2 Passion – Singapore Redefined’ – An experiential exploration of Singapore
MUMBAI: Tripoto, the global travel community, has partnered with the Singapore Tourism Board, to create an innovative, fun and exciting travel web series ‘Trails 2 Passion – Singapore Redefined’. The seven-episode,web-serieswhich showcases the experiential exploration of Singapore by Naveen Kasturia and Veer Rajwant Singh, well known faces of internet web series scenario will be aired on April 1, 2019.
'Trails 2 Passion – Singapore Redefined' will take you along the journey of these two actors in Singapore, where they plan their owntrails in order to ensure the deep exploration of their true passions, fulfilled to their hearts content through this journey. Naveen Kasturia, a creative guy who is extremely busy in life and ruled by stress will indulge in well curated, local experiences, whereas Veer Rajwant Singh, a happy go lucky guy, will have ultra-luxe experiences.
Speaking about the experiences Naveen Kasturia, says, "When Tripoto approached me for this project, I didn’t give it a second thought. I said yes as I knew I had to do it. It is for the 1st time that I have done an experiential travel show and it has been quite an experience. As an actor, I had my moment of truth and got a chance to improvise and be spontaneous in front of the camera. Travel puts a lot of things into perspective and shooting for this show made me explore Singapore by breaking off the monotonous planned schedules I am used to following. Veer and I had a blast traveling through Singapore, reveling in the culture and the offbeat experiences this place had to offer. I am sure our audience too will be left awestruck following our travel trails through Singapore."
Adding to his experience Veer Rajwant Singh, says, "I have been wanting to do a travel show for some time. It is because you are not merely acting, you are living your passion and enacting as is. I explored a whole new side of me in Singapore in an entirely different light. Most of my shots were the real-time reactions to the experiences curated. Not only did I try some cool adventure activities, but I also came in touch with glocal experiences, more of which you will see in Trails 2 Passion – Singapore Redefined.”
The 6-7 minutes, 7-episode web-series will have upbeat and catchy content on Singapore, with extra worthy information and illustrated trail map of the theme at the end of each episode. Speaking on the association with Singapore Tourism Board and coming with such fun series, Michael Lyngdoh, Co-Founder, Tripoto, says, “Tripoto and STB are collaborating to showcase a different side to Singapore. It is an amalgam of exciting culinary experiences, adrenaline pumping adventures and beautifully diverse cultures packed into one city. Singapore now appeals to the global experiential traveler. Our new web series “Trails 2 Passion” is the story of two friends traveling through Singapore and discovering their passions along the way. It’s entertaining, fun and informative; just as great immersive travel content should be.”
The series will be around themes such as food, exploration, adventure, culture etc., to showcase Singapore as not only a fun and adventurous destination but also high on art and culture. The episodes intend to spark the interest in the viewer to see Singapore in a new light and to introduce them to the 6 passion tribes under the Passion Made Possible brand i.e. Foodie, Explorer, Collector, Culture Shaper, Action Seeker or Socialiser.Speaking on their association with Tripoto,Mr GB Srithar, Regional Director (South Asia Middle East and Africa), Singapore Tourism Board, says, “With a high penetration of smart phones and growing number of digital native young consuming content online, there are new, exciting opportunities to connect with them. Our partnership with Tripoto is a creative way of telling Singapore tourism stories. We are happy to have two cool millennials – Naveen and Veer showcase their recent trip. "Trails 2 Passion – Singapore Redefined" tells their stories, in their own voices. Their escapades will entice Indian travellers to enjoy our diverse offerings and live up their own passions”
The Screening of ‘Trails 2 Passion – Singapore Redefined’ will be held on 30th March with Actor Veer Rajwant Singh at DLF Promenade 5pm onwards, where he will be sharing anecdotes from his Singapore travel. He will also be engaging with the audience for a travel quiz at the event, where one winner rewarded with couple tickets to Singapore and runner ups will go home with Tripoto goodies.
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.
