Vijay Shekhar Sharma Tells Paytm Shareholders, “Jo Hai Thama Sa, Chal Niklega” at AGM

At Paytm’s Annual General Meeting today, Vijay Shekhar Sharma opened his address not with numbers or charts, but with a Hindi poem he discovered online, written by Anand Ji from Varanasi.

The poem, a powerful tribute to perseverance, urged readers to “keep trying, a solution will emerge. If not today, then surely tomorrow.” It spoke of focus, “like Arjun’s arrow,” and resilience, reminding that even barren land can bear fruit if nurtured. Its memorable closing line—“Jo hai thama-thama sa, chal niklega” (what feels stuck will move forward)—Sharma said perfectly reflected Paytm’s journey over the past year.

“Hope is a powerful thing. The commitment to build, to keep going, we embraced it. And the headline we gave to this poem was ‘Stay Charged,’ or in Hindi, ‘Lage Raho,’” Sharma told shareholders, setting a tone that combined inspiration with pragmatism.

He highlighted Paytm’s continued growth, keeping small shopkeepers and micro-businesses at its core. Devices such as soundboxes and card machines have evolved with better screens, solar charging, and AI integration. “Even the desert will yield water,” Sharma noted, linking the poem’s message to Paytm’s homegrown innovations gaining global recognition.

The past year also brought milestones. The Reserve Bank of India granted in-principle approval for Paytm’s Payment Aggregator licence, which Sharma described as both a privilege and a responsibility. “Compliance-first, strong governance, and a strong commitment to small business growth will take us far,” he said.

Looking ahead, Sharma said artificial intelligence would define Paytm’s next chapter. “AI is the most defining technology of this decade. The opportunities it opens will surpass even smartphones and cloud computing. Soon, you will see AI-first products from Paytm delivering new capabilities for merchants and consumers alike,” he said.

Closing on an optimistic note, Sharma reflected the dual spirit of his leadership: “What we are building today will seem small compared to what you will see in the next three to four years. AI will define Paytm’s next chapter, and together, we will move forward.”