India's announcement of MDR (Merchant Discount Rate) charges for certain UPI transactions starting October 15th has sparked debate over who should fund the payment system's infrastructure. While proponents argue the zero-MDR model is unsustainable and that most transactions will be unaffected, critics question why government subsidies couldn't continue for a critical payment backbone, and whether app developers or banks will ultimately benefit from the new charges.
An author describes their journey toward attending a 10-day Vipassana meditation course in Bangalore in August 2026, after years of interest sparked by a colleague at PhonePe in 2018. Following a business sale and seeking mental clarity, they finally gained acceptance and began the program with friend Rubal, committed to maintaining the course's precept of truthfulness while documenting their experience.