At a lavish wedding in Kerala, the father of the bride revolutionized the traditional "shagun" ritual by sporting a PayTM QR code sticker on his shirt pocket, inviting guests to scan and transfer digital blessings directly to the newlyweds. The viral video, capturing the vibrant ceremony, shows the man—identified as the bride's uncle—grinning and gesturing toward the code as relatives eagerly pull out phones to send instant payments.
This tech-savvy twist reflects India's booming digital economy, where UPI transactions surpassed 15 billion monthly in 2025. What began as a family joke quickly became a trending spectacle, blending centuries-old customs with modern convenience—no more fumbling with envelopes or loose change.
Social media erupted with mixed reactions. "Now you can't even slip in ₹100!" one user quipped. Another praised the transparency: "All white money, no black!" Critics, however, decried it as "digital begging," arguing it stripped dignity from the sacred gesture. A relative later clarified online: "It was just a fun prank among family—everyone scanning was in on the joke!"
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The incident highlights how India's wedding industry—valued at over ₹10 lakh crore annually—is rapidly digitizing. From e-invites to virtual mandaps during the pandemic, couples now embrace cashless gifting, live-streamed rituals, and even NFT mementos. For this Kerala family, the QR code wasn't just practical—it became the talk of the reception, proving that in 2025, love (and shagun) truly goes digital.
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