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NCash is a new digital wallet developed by Sulav Pay Pvt. Ltd, a digital payment startup. Though the company has not officially launched the wallet, it has already started operations a couple of months ago. ApEx talked to Radhika Adukia, Chief Marketing Officer of Sulav Pay, to know more about NCash and the company. Excerpts: What is a NCash wallet? NCash is a digital wallet platform similar to other digital wallets. We want to make the digital payment experience easy, convenient, and the preferred payment method. It is hassle-free as you don’t have to look around to check if you have changed money or if at times you forget to take the cash you will still be able to make payments through the phone, so in a way it gives individuals freedom. We’re not trying to be the most used wallet, or the wallet you buy events from, or fit into a certain category. We want to be something of a ‘financial Swiss army knife’ for the everyday person. Through our app, users can not only spend but also earn money. We’re trying to build a ‘brand with a personality’ which is something brands in Nepal lack. For example, when you think of Apple you think of a cool and hip person. We try to personify NCash, to make it more relatable to everyone. We know finance is boring. We know digital wallets are boring. Our aim is to make NCash more fun, be it with our ads, our presence, or our product. How is NCash different from other digital wallet platforms? There are several digital wallets in Nepal; many of the apps have existed for a couple of years, and many are emerging. We aim to be different by providing a user-friendly interface, fast and secure transactions, offline payments, offers, and an opportunity to earn back the money users have spent. Further, our app is supported by three major QR services in Nepal, namely Fonepay, NepalPay, and Smart QR. It means you can make payments anywhere even if the server of one QR is down payments can still be made through others. We have many other unique features coming soon to our app which differentiates us from the other wallets. We’re in the business of providing a better user experience through our technology. Whether that be for the user or businesses, and that’s what we will capitalize off of. What is your company’s goal? Our goal is to empower the new generation by making transactions and payments easy. I have seen many companies around the world that have used the phrase “empowering the new generation” without doing anything that actually empowers us. But with NCash that is not the case. One of our features is called minor KYC which means users who are not 18 yet are able to open an NCash account that is linked to the accounts of their parents. So, the parents can load their pocket money on the app and their children can use it. But here’s the catch, so naturally parents want to know where their child is spending the money, so we provide parents with a summary of the different sectors their child has spent money on, for example, Rs 300 on food and beverages, Rs 200 on entertainment, 100 on transportation. Now to empower the youths, we do not provide parents with a detailed transaction history which is on what items their child spent money on, for example, maybe they bought flowers or gifts for their girlfriend or boyfriend. We will put that under a certain category that the parents can see but they will not know about the items their children have spent money on. Many of our ideas for the wallet have come from things we have experienced or seen our friends in universities go through. As students, we are constantly looking for ways to save, earn and be financially dependent so our features are based on how we can help the youths reach that point. The main goal is to be able to provide the new generation with the financial liberty, knowledge, and independence that as youths we look for. Likewise, we are working with standup comic artists of Nepal to provide them with a platform to showcase their skills. We have some amazing talents in Nepal, and I believe we should provide them with a platform in Nepal itself. My plan is to be able to collaborate with many different talents and give them an opportunity to show their skills. We want our youths to feel like they have good opportunities for self-growth and development in Nepal itself. There’s a growing trend of wanting to move abroad because of a lack of support or growth here and in NCash our goal is to provide the same support and growth in Nepal itself. How is Sulav Pay’s business currently?  It is a new startup, so we have not officially launched it yet. Even then we have around 200,000 users, which is a great achievement looking at how we have not launched yet nor have we done any major marketing. It is said that there is a lower profit margin in the mobile wallet business. What is the case with NCash?  It is true that there is less profit margin, especially for startups. But our business model is different from what you might expect. We don’t want to leech off of users and crazy transaction fees etc; we want to capitalize off of our technology. When our technology is up to the mark, any charges are justified too, but until they are, we can’t expect users to pay anything. We’re going towards a more subscription model, where both merchants will earn benefits and ease, and so will the users. And we don’t want to gatekeep our technology either. We will let every payment services provider (PSP) be able to use parts of our tech from the first day, for free. Do you see the prospect of mergers and acquisitions of digital wallet companies? There are around 28 digital wallets in Nepal currently. So with high competition, the survival rate is very low. I do see prospects of mergers and acquisitions as this can not only help to lower competition, but I believe wallets can benefit from it for instance, if one wallet lacks in technical aspects but has a great user interface, merging with another company with the strong technical team but the poor user interface will be beneficial as they can take advantage of the skills and develop one strong wallet. But our long-term goal is to take NCash to an IPO instead of being bought out by another company. How do you see the scope of the field of digital finance from a career development point of view? I think there’s a lot of opportunity in the field of digital finance as it is vast and rapidly evolving. In digital finance itself there are many career opportunities such as in fintech there are opportunities for crypto, lending platform, and mobile payments. There are prospects for data analytics so they can provide insights on how to improve the customer experience while managing risks, which brings me to cybersecurity and regulatory compliance related to digital finance. So, there are many career opportunities in digital finance itself. Alongside the opportunities in this field, I believe this is an amazing field for self-development as well. Because with advancements in technology, individuals are constantly learning and improving their skills which also allows for the diversification of skills such as programming, designing, data analysis, cybersecurity, and risk management. This diversification allows individuals to have career flexibility as well as the ability to adapt to this evolving industry. It allows you entrepreneur opportunities as well if you have an idea, you can code it and start your own venture. An example in this regard is the audio streaming and media services provider Spotify. Although it’s not related to digital finance, the way Spotify was developed and the journey to where it is right now is inspiring. So, I believe that digital finance is amazing for career and self-development.

Suraj Milind Yengde is a Harvard University scholar, Dalit rights activist, and the author of ‘Caste Matters.’ He was named as one of the ‘25 Most Influential Young Indian’ by GQ magazine and the ‘Most Influential Young Dalit’ by Zee. Anushka Nepal from ApEx caught up with Yengde during his recent  Nepal visit. This is your second visit to Nepal, and you’re here for work. Could you tell us a little about what you’ve been working on? We are actually in the process of starting a ‘Bahujan Library.’ It’s an online digital library, which will be a resource guide for anybody who is interested to study or do research on caste. For instance, let’s say someone has written a piece about caste. Now for curative purposes if you don’t have institutional support that will just not be available. So you want to make sure some of these works that are known and unknown remain accessible. That’s one aim. Our second aim is to invite authors that write or want to write about caste. We want to create a space where everything they write will be archived. And we want to archive these writings even if they are from different languages. So, if you think about it, it’s also a translation that we’re working on. So this is a long term project. Of course, we have been facing some copyright issues but we are trying to make sure that everything gets documented. And there is no particular country we are focusing on. The writings can be from any part of the world. From your perspective as an activist, what impression do you have of Nepal and its communities in terms of caste and ethnicity? Actually, I still need to visit the Terai region of Nepal where the maximum concentration of Dalit community is. Right now, all I have seen in Kathmandu and its nearby areas. So I think I’m not in the position to make a proper assessment since there are still a lot of places I haven’t been to. But from what I have seen so far, it has made a remarkable impression on me. It has really humbled me because I was not aware of the great history of an anti-caste resistance that dates back to the 19th century. During my visit in 2019, I had come to see what was happening in Nepal. The kind of affection, respect and love that Nepali Dalits gave me was truly heart touching. I kept that in my heart for so long and I couldn’t resist the urge to visit Nepal when I was in India. In fact, I make sure to at least make a brief stop over to Nepal whenever I am back in India. In my second trip, I can now see that there is a certain kind of resistance within the Dalit community to not be tokenized. They are not compromising with just some charity and donations by some organizations. They are proud people and they don’t want to compromise on anything. Yet at the same time, they are beautiful at heart. That’s what’s interesting about the Nepali Dalit community. You have achieved a lot in life. You are a Harvard scholar and also a Dalit rights activist. What pushed you to achieve that? As a Dalit, if you’re aware of your caste, then you have a certain form of resistance. It doesn’t matter where you grow up. You want to resist in your own way. You don’t have to march down the street and fight. Resistance can happen in your own personal and private ways. I had the same resistance. And you also grow up with a lot of responsibilities. Some of us at least. We take on the responsibilities of carrying the struggle of our ancestors. We have a goal that is beyond us, which is thinking about the community, people, and we are not tribal in nature. You as a child are brought up with the pure innocence of treating everyone equally, but for the people from the dominant caste, their parents don’t teach them equality. They teach them about inequality since their childhood. They mentor them on what caste is and what so and so caste means. So as a Dalit, you are undergoing the repeated trauma of being subjugated to unwarranted sightings, dissings, people mocking you, and you don't know why. And at last, you come to a realization that it’s your caste. For me, it was the realization of how I can use my place and position and whatever limited power I had to make a change. That’s how the movement towards making a difference came to me. And education became a key vehicle. With education, there was awareness. With awareness, there was a purpose. And when education, awareness and purpose are met with energy, you can make great changes. That’s how it began. A lot of people, especially from the minor communities, look up to you and to reach where you are. What’s your advice to them? You never set out to be something great. You’re not the child of King Mahendra who will be the next in the line of becoming the king. You are a normal person. So your stories are also normal. They’re ordinary. But in that ordinary story, you are an extraordinary person. I never sought out to become what I have become now. There was nothing when it came to institutional support that would give me an extra opportunity. But if you’re a person from a marginalized community, you have to be the pioneer. You have to go into the dark caves to find the meaning and purpose. There’s nobody who’s going to light the path for you. If there is somebody, that’s good. You should appreciate them. But the struggle is such that when you do something, people might laugh at you, mock you, they might call you a mad person. How can you think of going to Harvard University when you have been living and selling newspapers on the street, and staying in one room next to a gutter lane? These were the things that I grew up with. But I decided to go into that dark chamber. Because I didn’t know what was there. So, for the youngsters, from my stories at least, and the things I did, I was never prepared to do it. But I did it. I know this might not be the success I intended to have, but I was willing to risk it all. I was willing to risk my ego and the disrespect people would give me. For instance, the first time I gave a public speech was when I was in university. My professor had given a hint that I wasn’t up for the task, and told me I should stick with something I’m good at. And yet, what I did was, just for the sake of doing it, I asked my university to nominate me in a national debate competition. I don’t know how that worked out, but I got nominated. And you see, I was probably the most embarrassing participant the national debate competition had ever seen. But I did it anyway. I participated in the second year too, and at that time I had a team and friends I made during the last competition. I was a little better, but still not good enough. The third time I participated, I became the national debate champion. What I am trying to say is, you need to risk it all to do things that seem unreachable. You have to risk your ego, possibility of making mistakes, being disrespected and judged, but at the end of the day, you learn something and that’s going to remain with you. What do you want the readers to perceive from your book ‘Caste Matters’?  The book’s first launch was in Nepal. So Nepal, in that sense, has a unique relation with ‘Caste Matters.’ The book was written as a scholarly project. But then my publisher told me that if I want to reach scholars as well as the general readers, I need to make arrangements for my text. So I did it. I did it at the cost of risking my career because in academia, if you don’t write in a certain way they don’t give you jobs. And I am someone who is still trying to get a faculty job. But the purpose was different for me. I wanted to make an impact, and be someone who could be a spokesperson of those people whose issues and narrative was absent. That’s how the books were out. The book has multiple chapters. Each chapter tries to build on the previous one, but can also be read independently. And this is a book about caste and not just about Dalits. And that’s why the perspective can be taken holistically. It’s not a one dimensional perspective that you’ll get. That’s why I have looked at every aspect of caste critically. There’s a lot of philosophical reflection. This book, if it is read with the attention of philosophical details that it has offered, then the reader will enjoy what I’m trying to say.

Sujeeta Mathema has more than 22 years of experience working in the development sector and has rich experience working in the field of human rights, especially on women’s rights. She is now working in the capacity of Executive Director of ActionAid Nepal. Sujeeta’s engagement with Kamaiya movement, women’s rights movement, land rights movement, and Dalit movement have given her solid experiences and encouragement to pursue the idea of how social movements can deliver social justice. She has been involved in many other different networks and alliances such as the Child Network Alliance. She is also a board member of Sishu Baal Bikas Kendra (ECD learning centers). How is ActionAid International Nepal helping climate-impacted communities to adapt and mitigate climate change in Nepal? ActionAid International Nepal is actively engaged in developing resilience and addressing the challenges posed by a changing environment through a diverse range of programs. Key areas of focus include the promotion of agroecology, which supports environmentally friendly and climate-resilient agricultural practices to enhance food production and adapt to climate change. Recognizing the importance of gender equality in climate resilience, the organization emphasizes creating inclusive marketplaces and empowering women entrepreneurs in the economy. We encourage community-led disaster mitigation and preparedness initiatives, enabling local communities to design and implement their own measures. Environmental protection measures are promoted at both community and school levels, fostering environmental awareness and sustainable behaviors. Collaboration with local government bodies aids in the development of climate change adaptation and mitigation policies and programs, ensuring preparedness at the local level. Through advocacy work and partnerships, ActionAid International Nepal works to reform policies and improve systems at various levels. By implementing comprehensive strategies encompassing structural change, advocacy, empowerment, and education, the organization significantly contributes to helping climate-affected communities adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change. What motivated ActionAid International Nepal to begin the Climate Justice Campaign? What impact do you think this effort will have on the larger climate justice movement in Nepal and beyond? ActionAid International Nepal has initiated the Climate Justice Campaign in response to compelling circumstances. The campaign underscores the urgent need for action, recognizing climate change as a fundamental human rights issue. The increasing number of climate-affected communities and families in Nepal highlights the criticality of finding solutions to this pressing problem. Moreover, marginalized groups face a disproportionate impact, exacerbating poverty cycles and widening societal disparities. The campaign also seeks to amplify the voices of those affected by climate change, providing strong evidence of its consequences in national, regional, and international forums. Fostering national unity is essential to effectively advocate for the rights of the affected population at federal, provincial, and municipal levels. What role do you envision private and governmental finance having in the move to greener and more sustainable solutions in the context of low-income countries like Nepal? Public and private finance play integral roles in driving the adoption of sustainable practices in low-income countries like Nepal. The private sector holds the potential to expand the market for eco-friendly goods and agroecological solutions, approaching them through lenses of adaptation, mitigation, readiness, and compensation for loss and damage. It is crucial for the private sector to prioritize investments in sustainable practices, equitable development, and green technologies. Government spending, particularly the development budget, should take climate risks into account, demonstrating a commitment to prioritize climate-sensitive and adaptable development. Effective monitoring of policy implementation is essential, as is the undertaking of comprehensive climate risk assessments for development projects. Opposition to loans for humanitarian aid or restitution from organizations such as the World Bank or ADB is important. Instead, a push for funds based on the ‘polluters pay’ principle should be emphasized. Access to international climate finance mechanisms should be improved, and both public and private sectors should invest in evidence-based strategies, early warning systems, and the enhancement of resource mobilization capacities. Besides the global climate justice campaign, what are some of the other important sector-specific platforms ActionAid International Nepal developing or using to spread knowledge and awareness about climate change? ActionAid International Nepal employs diverse platforms to effectively disseminate information and raise awareness about climate change. These initiatives encompass a wide array of activities and engagement methods. At the community level, the organization integrates climate change education into its local rights program to ensure widespread understanding. Furthermore, youth hubs and mobilization initiatives are established, recognizing the pivotal role of young people in shaping the future. These platforms empower youth to actively participate in climate change discussions and become agents of change. This engagement at regional, national, and global levels facilitates dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and advocacy. By contributing to collaborative platforms, the organization shares best practices, innovative ideas, and policy recommendations, thereby supporting global efforts to address climate change. What are the further plans of ActionAid International Nepal in climate justice? ActionAid Nepal has developed a comprehensive campaign plan for the next three years to empower and engage those affected by climate change. The organization’s strategy focuses on building resilience and driving positive change through a commitment to learning and research. ActionAid Nepal plans to undertake extensive research projects and support knowledge-building activities to generate evidence-based ideas. The organization aims to translate this knowledge into practical solutions, supporting local communities in navigating the challenges posed by climate change. The organization’s holistic approach not only promotes resilience but also advocates for long-term solutions that enhance communities, reduce risks, and secure their future. ActionAid Nepal seeks to amplify the voices of affected communities, protect their rights, and advocate for their urgent needs through compelling and impactful advocacy efforts.  

Arthur Larok is Secretary General, ActionAid International, a global federation working in 46 countries to achieve social justice, gender equality and poverty eradication. He was previously Federation Development Director, ActionAid International for 4 years, Country Director, ActionAid Uganda for six years. He is also a member of the Transitions Assistance Practice Group (TAPG) hosted by the Institute for Integrated Transition (IFIT) in Barcelona, as well as Carnegie Endowment for International Peace’s Civic Research Network (CRN). He holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Sociology from Makerere University Kampala, Uganda and master’s in governance and Development from the Institute of Development Studies, Sussex, UK. He has coedited a Book on Uganda’s Civil Society and authored several papers, including ‘Protecting the Tree or Saving the Forest’: A Political Analysis of the Legal Environment for NGO Operations in Uganda” (2009) and ‘Uganda’s New Civic Activism: Beyond Egos and Logos’. Why do you think we should care about climate justice? Climate justice is a matter of utmost concern that demands our attention. It has a profound impact on the poorest and most marginalized groups, especially women, who bear the brunt of climate change. Their lives and traditional ways of living are at risk, exacerbating the cycle of poverty they face. At its core, climate justice is a question of human rights. It is crucial to hold accountable those responsible for contributing to the current dire state of our planet in order to safeguard the lives and dignity of those already affected or at risk due to climate change. The goal of climate justice is twofold: to prevent disproportionate harm caused by climate change on vulnerable groups and to provide them with the necessary resources to adapt to its effects. It also entails holding individuals responsible for their role in climate change accountable, urging them to take action to reduce their emissions. By promoting fairness, equity, and accountability, climate justice aims to address the challenges of climate change and its consequences comprehensively. What types of strategy should ActionAid International build to put pressure on big investors who finance toxic agribusiness and fossil fuels-based impacts? ActionAid International can employ various tactics to exert pressure on major investors supporting harmful agriculture and fossil fuel-related activities. These tactics encompass engaging in evidence-based policy dialogues with both state and non-state actors, including the private sector. They involve establishing agencies within impacted communities to foster the movement for climate justice. Encouraging civil society movements to exert pressure on national governments, facilitating the participation of communities, national governments, and activists in relevant global forums to advocate for divestment, demonstrating solidarity with climate activists, and engaging in legal battles are all part of the strategy. Furthermore, it is crucial for ActionAid International to prioritize the dissemination of knowledge concerning the detrimental impacts of toxic agriculture and fossil fuel-related consequences on the environment and human beings. This can be achieved through education campaigns and targeted lobbying efforts directed at decision-makers and the wider public. Collaborating with other groups and stakeholders is also essential for generating innovative solutions that mitigate the effects of climate change and promote sustainable development. How is ActionAid International advocating for the economic development of countries by transforming extractive practices into regenerative methods? ActionAid International is actively engaged in advocating the transformation of extractive methods into regenerative approaches, with the aim of fostering economic growth in nations. One of our primary objectives is to advance agroecology, which encompasses holistic and environmentally beneficial farming practices. Moreover, we strive to encourage the adoption of sustainable energy technologies to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and combat climate change. Recognizing the pivotal role of women in building resilient communities and driving economic progress, we focus on empowering women-led initiatives for community resilience. ActionAid International ensures the integration of green, inclusive, and resilient development principles in its initiatives and endeavors, prioritizing sustainability and long-term well-being. We collaborate with governments to formulate effective policies that support regenerative economic practices. What do you think should be done to mobilize youths who may not yet be aware of the importance of climate issues across the globe? There are various initiatives that can be implemented to engage young individuals who may not fully comprehend the significance of global climate challenges. Firstly, it is crucial to emphasize that climate change is a concern for future generations and that it directly impacts their rights. Secondly, integrating climate change education into the formal education system is essential. By incorporating climate-related themes into the curriculum, young people can develop a deeper understanding of the issue and its relevance. Empowering youth is vital as it enables them to comprehend the impact of climate change in their own surroundings. One approach to achieve this is by providing young people with opportunities to conduct their own research on the effects of climate change. It is also crucial to facilitate access to local, national, regional, and global forums to allow young people to express their concerns, contribute to conversations, and participate in discussions on climate change at all levels. Lastly, fostering South-South cooperation can encourage collaboration and shared learning among young people worldwide, while also promoting solidarity in the pursuit of climate justice.