In a move that underscores India’s growing push for self-reliance in technology, Union IT and Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced his switch to using Zoho, a leading Indian software company. Alongside this shift, he called for a ‘Swadeshi’ approach in the digital sector, urging individuals and organizations to support homegrown products over foreign alternatives.
The Switch to Zoho
Vaishnaw revealed that he has begun using Zoho’s suite of productivity and business software tools in his official capacity. Zoho, headquartered in Chennai, has been one of India’s most successful global SaaS companies, competing with international giants like Microsoft and Google in the enterprise software space.
The minister highlighted Zoho as a symbol of India’s potential to build world-class technology and emphasized that embracing such platforms strengthens the country’s digital sovereignty.
Push for ‘Swadeshi’ in Tech
During his statement, Vaishnaw reiterated that India must prioritize indigenous solutions in key areas such as software, hardware, and cloud services. He argued that adopting Swadeshi technology not only boosts the domestic economy but also enhances data security and strategic independence.
His remarks align with the government’s larger ‘Digital India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives, which encourage both public and private sectors to adopt Indian-made technologies.
Industry Response
Industry leaders welcomed the minister’s endorsement, noting that government adoption of Indian platforms can set an example for businesses and consumers. Many believe that a policy-level push for Swadeshi digital tools could help Indian firms scale globally while reducing dependency on foreign tech ecosystems.
Ashwini Vaishnaw’s switch to Zoho and his call for a Swadeshi technology movement reflects India’s broader ambition of becoming a global technology powerhouse rooted in self-reliance. As the country pushes forward in its digital transformation, supporting domestic innovations like Zoho could become a cornerstone of India’s tech strategy.
