Digi Dhan Mela: PM Modi launches BHIM app; says your 'thumb' is now your bank and identity | Top highlights

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday participated at the Digi Dhan Mela in Delhi's Talkatora stadium, where he launched a mobile app to make digital payments easier. Launching the BHIM e-wallet app, PM Modi said that it will soon only need thumbprint. PM Modi also distributed prizes to those who have made contributions to promote digital payments in the country. 

In a bid to encourage digital payments, PM Modi recently announced two award schemes named 'Lucky Grahak Yojana' for retail consumers and 'Digi Dhan Vapar Yojana' for small businesses during his 27th edition of 'Mann ki Baat' address.

The winners will get a minimum of Rs 1,000 through a lucky draw, while the winners will be chosen on a daily and weekly basis under the Lucky Grahak Yojana, merchants who have won under the Digi Dhan Vyapar Yojana will be announced every week.

The first 'Digi Dhan' Mela (fair) was organised in Gurugram, Haryana on Monday and was inaugurated by Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.

Here are the highlights of PM Modi's speech:

#The money will benefit the poor, it won't go anywhere now

#The poor should have first right on this country's wealth

#Media will ask in 2017 that why are you not cashless despite carrying two mobiles

#I am thankful to the media as this has helped Govt formulate schemes and take up initiatives to empower the poor

#In last 50 days media while covering me, also questioned the Govt on how will the country become digital when poor don't have mobile

#Somebosy said "Khoda dungar aur nikli chuhiya", I was looking for mice only, because she ends up stealing and eating everything.

#BHIM ke roop mein desh ki janta ko saal 2017 ka uttam se uttam nazarana de raha hun

#Kuch log bolte hain ye kuch naya laya hai Modi, kuch gadbad hai. Fir bade log bahut softly bolte hain, ye kaise hoga? mobile kahan hai?

#Look at the newspapers 3 years ago, the news was about what is lost (in scams), today it is about what has come back or what is the gain

#For those with a positive mindset, India has several opportunities

#I don't have anything for pessimists, but for optimists I have opportunity

#Lekin niraasha vadi logo ke liye abhi bhi koi ausadh (medicine) nahi hai

#Kuch logo ab bhi nirash hain aise nirashawadi logn ke liye abhi koi aushadhi nahi hai. Aise logon ko unki nirasha mubarak

#Jis desh ko anpad kaha jata hai woh garv kar sakta hai ki electrionic voting mein humne revolution laya hai, woh bhi safalta purwak

#Mantra of Dr. Ambedkar was to work for the upliftment of the poor. And the biggest power of technology is that it can empower the poor

#Furthering digital connectivity would do wonders for our nation

#In 2 weeks will make one more accomplishment, it's security is being worked on. It will empower BHIM; you'll only require your thumb to pay

#There was a time when illiterate people were called as 'angutha chhap'. Now the time has changed, your 'angutha' is now your bank and is your identity

Ek zamana tha anpad ko 'angutha chhap' kaha jata tha, waqt badal chuka hai, aap hi ka angutha aapki bank, aapki pehchaan hai

#Dr Ambedkar's thesis offers significant insights of various economic issues

#Launch of 'BHIM' App is significant. In addition to his role in making of the Constitution, Dr Ambedkar was also a great economist

#The mega draw will take place on 14th April, the birth anniversary of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar

#Over the 100 day period, several families will be given the prizes. These schemes were launched to benefit poor

#Prizes are given to those who make transactions of more than Rs 50 and less than Rs 3000, so that the poor can win

#These two initiatives, the Lucky Grahak Yojana and Digi Dhan Vyapar Yojana are a Christmas gift to the nation

#On the day of Christmas, GoI announced schemes to reward small traders and customers who resort to digital payments

#PM Modi speaks at Digi-Dhan Mela in Delhi's Talkatora Stadium

Highlights of Digi Dhan Mela:

#PM Modi conducts lucky draw for 'Lucky Grahak Yojana' and 'Digi Dhan Vyapar Yojana' at the Digi Dhan Mela at the Talkotra stadium

#Digital India, Digital Payment, Digi Dhan are part of campaigns to build a developed India: Union Minister RS Prasad

#Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad speaks at the Digi Dhan Mela at the Talkotra stadium

#PM Narendra Modi distributes prizes to those who have made contributions to promote digital payments in the country.

Delhi: PM Narendra Modi attends the Digi Dhan Mela at the Talkatora Stadium pic.twitter.com/de5GyR3qZ8

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 30, 2016

#PM Narendra Modi launches a mobile app to make digital payments easier at the Digi-Dhan Mela at the Talkatora Stadium

#PM Narendra Modi at Digi-Dhan Mela at the Talkatora Stadium, to launch a mobile app to make digital payments easy

#PM Narendra Modi at the Digi-Dhan Mela in Delhi's Talkatora Stadium

Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Digi-Dhan Mela at the Talkatora Stadium pic.twitter.com/aPXCjBBIzE

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 30, 2016