Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced that he is now using Zoho for documents, spreadsheets and presentations, moving away from Microsoft Office and Google Workspace. His decision is part of a larger push by the government to promote technological self reliance and the adoption of Indian made digital solutions. In a post on X, Vaishnaw urged citizens to follow the Swadeshi call and support homegrown products and services.
The rise of Zoho
Zoho was founded in 1996 by Sridhar Vembu and Tony Thomas and is today one of the most successful Indian software as a service companies. Headquartered in Chennai with global offices, Zoho has built a reputation for offering more than 55 cloud based applications across productivity, collaboration and business management. From email and project management to HR, CRM and accounting, Zoho has created a complete digital ecosystem for businesses.
Despite being incorporated in the United States, Zoho continues to run its major operations from rural Tamil Nadu, reflecting its strong Made in India ethos. Today it serves over 100 million users in more than 150 countries, including startups and Fortune 500 companies.
Productivity apps to rival Microsoft and Google
Zoho has bundled its productivity tools under Zoho Workplace and Zoho Office Suite. Popular apps like Zoho Writer for documents, Zoho Sheet for spreadsheets, Zoho Show for presentations, Zoho Notebook, Zoho WorkDrive, Zoho Mail, Zoho Meeting and Zoho Calendar directly compete with Microsoft Office 365 and Google Workspace.
One of the biggest differentiators for Zoho is its approach to data privacy. Unlike platforms that rely on advertising revenue, Zoho does not monetise user data and hosts its data across multiple geographies to comply with regulations. This focus on security, along with affordable pricing, has made it especially popular among small and medium sized businesses in India.
A push for Swadeshi tech adoption
Vaishnaw’s shift to Zoho is part of the government’s broader effort to encourage digital self reliance. By showcasing Zoho as a viable alternative to global giants, the minister has reinforced the importance of adopting indigenous platforms that align with India’s vision of technological independence.
As Zoho continues to expand its offerings and win more users globally, its endorsement by top government officials could further boost its adoption within India and beyond.
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