hey say little drops make the mighty ocean. That is what Paytm founder and CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma was likely trying to do when he tweeted that he had donated Rs 10,000 to the Kerala Chief Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund through his transaction app.
But he didn’t know that Twitter delivers judgement quicker than god. Criticism rained down on the billionaire from Twitterati for donating such a small amount. Many called his donation a publicity stunt meant to promote his app and chided him for being a miser.
Brown Sahiba@RajyasreeSo, billionaire Vijay Shekhar makes a 10 grand donation, then posts a screenshot to promote Paytm & himself. Vile & height of being cheap. pic.twitter.com/O9w9kJBZeE
Unofficial Sususwamy@swamv39Paytm founder @vijayshekhar Sharma, The youngest Indian billionaire with net worth of $1.7 billion did a self promotion by posting a screenshot of him donating a huge amount Rs.10000 via his @Paytm app towards #KeralaFloods. Deleted it later. pic.twitter.com/ML7GHh1Y8i
Amrish Sawe@AmrishSaweBasically he did an expense of 10,000 to promote his app, will put it under Marketing budget…outright cheap and shameful by Vijay Shekhar….#paytm #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/SV3nlggxFx
However, many also saw Shekhar’s tweet as an example of how easy it was to donate money to the Kerala Chief Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund. And, the sum was Rs 10,000 because most Paytm users cannot transact for amounts more than Rs 10,000.
Shekhar’s tweet, which he later deleted, was on August 17. In the days since, Paytm has managed to collect Rs 30 crore from 12 lakh users.
Paytm✔@Paytm
We are happy to share that we have crossed INR 30 Crore in contributions in under 4 days, from over 12 lakh Paytm users for #KeralaFloodRelief
Let’s keep going.#IndiaForKerala
Contribute on Paytm.
paytm.com
There was also a side controversy — many people on social media accused Paytm of profiting off the contributions for Kerala via transaction fees.
However, Paytm clarified that all donations made via the app are exempt from transaction fees — whether it is for the user or the government.
Paytm has also said that it will match contributions up to Rs 1 crore.
Kerala is facing a monumental rehabilitation and reconstruction task as the state struggles to get back on its feet after massive flooding that killed more than 300. India needs to contribute to that effort and one way you can do that is by donating to the Care Today Foundation.
You can donate by cheque or DD in the name of Care Today A/C Kerala SOS and send it to Care Today, India Today Mediaplex, FC-8, Sector 16-A, Noida- 201301.
READ| How the Kerala floods showed humanity still rocks
READ| Kerala floods: DMK MLA, MPs to donate a month’s salary for relief work
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