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HookoluPay is more than just a UPI app; it’s a tool of empowerment and financial inclusion. By bringing digital payments in local languages to the people in Northeast, this innovative service will reshape the future of financial accessibility and create new growth opportunities
By Siddharth Urmil
Exciting news for the people of Northeast India! A groundbreaking development is set to transform the way digital payments are made in the region. HookoluPay, a revolutionary new UPI (Unified Payments Interface) service, has received the green light from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). This pioneering app will empower users in Northeast India to make payments in their own vernacular languages, breaking language barriers and bringing digital finance closer to the heart of the region.
HookoluPay, developed by Assam-based entrepreneur Aziz Ali, is expected to be launched by May or June, and it’s set to make a massive impact. The unique feature of HookoluPay lies in its regional language options. While most UPI apps operate in English or Hindi, HookoluPay brings payment services in languages that resonate with the people of Northeast India, making it more inclusive and accessible.
Aziz Ali, a BCom graduate and MBA holder, has taken the initiative to offer an offline payment option with HookoluPay, keeping in mind the region’s challenges with internet connectivity. This offline feature ensures that users can still engage in digital transactions, even in areas with poor or unstable internet connections. With this innovation, UPI payment services will now be available in the diverse languages of the Northeast, creating a bridge between technology and local cultures.
“I began working on HookoluPay in 2018,” Ali said, “and we received our official license from the RBI and NPCI last November. This app will bring financial services to the people of Northeast India in their own languages and dialects.”
Ali highlighted the ongoing digital transformation across India, noting that nearly 60 per cent of people still lack access to financial services. In the remote hills of Northeast India, many people continue to rely on cash transactions, hesitant to adopt digital payment methods. HookoluPay aims to change that by offering a platform where people can interact in their native dialects, making digital payments more approachable and user-friendly.
While other apps like GPay, PhonePe, and Paytm primarily cater to Hindi and English speakers, HookoluPay is designed specifically for the Northeast. “We will include various dialects spoken across the region, such as Assamese, Mizo, and more, to make it truly accessible,” said Ali.
The launch of HookoluPay has already garnered attention. At the Advantage Assam 2.0 summit, Ali set up a stall to showcase the app, receiving a warm reception from attendees. Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi took time to visit Ali’s stall and praised the initiative, encouraging Ali to take this UPI service nationwide. He emphasized the importance of focusing on the Northeast, where digital payment services are still underdeveloped.
“Our primary focus in developing HookoluPay is to promote financial inclusion, especially in rural areas,” Ali explained. A native of Jeypore near Naharkatiya in Assam’s Dibrugarh district, Ali is driven by a desire to make digital payment systems available to every corner of the country, particularly in inaccessible regions like the Northeast.
Anand Kannan, co-founder of HookoluPay, highlighted the versatility of the app. “Like other payment gateways such as GPay and PhonePe, HookoluPay can be used by institutions, small businesses, government organizations, and more,” Kannan said. “While we plan to roll it out across India, our primary focus will be Assam and the Northeastern states, as we are a local start-up.”
Ali and his team are also working to add more regional languages to the platform, making it even more user-friendly and inclusive. “We currently offer Hindi, English, Assamese, Mizo, and other languages, but we are continuously expanding to serve a wider range of dialects,” said Ali.
The launch of HookoluPay is a major leap forward in driving digital payment adoption in the Northeast. With the support of the PM and an enthusiastic response from the region, Ali is optimistic about the future. “We are also planning to expand internationally, bringing our service to countries like Singapore, UAE and Bhutan,” he said.
HookoluPay is more than just a UPI app; it’s a tool of empowerment and financial inclusion. By bringing digital payments to the fingertips of the people in Northeast India, this innovative service is bound to reshape the future of financial accessibility and create new growth opportunities.