Startup Originals Team
In a bold endorsement of homegrown technology, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw used Zoho Show and Mappls maps during a recent Cabinet briefing, rejecting traditional foreign tools. His presentation, complete with a phrase declaring “Achha lag raha hai na, Swadeshi,” underlined India’s push toward self-reliance in tech.
A Move Toward Swadeshi Technology:
- For the media brief on Union Cabinet decisions, Vaishnaw chose Zoho Show, an Indian, cloud-based presentation software, over widely used global alternatives.
- The maps in his presentation came from Mappls (by MapmyIndia), an indigenous mapping platform built and hosted in India.
- Together, this selection sends a message: from tools behind the scenes to visual assets, the government is embracing Indian alternatives.
Why This Matters:
- The move aligns with the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, emphasizing self-reliance and reducing dependence on foreign software.
- Vaishnaw’s decision also comes with symbolic weight: using “Swadeshi” in his remarks signals pride in local innovations and a call for their adoption.
- By choosing Indian tools in a high-profile government context, he is spotlighting them for broader use in public and private sectors alike.
Reactions & Broader Context:
- Earlier, the minister had publicly announced his shift to Zoho, stating on social media: “I am moving to Zoho, our own Swadeshi platform for documents, spreadsheets & presentations.”
- Zoho and Mappls stand out as important alternatives, offering features suited to Indian needs (local roads, languages, data sovereignty).
- This decision could encourage increased adoption of domestic SaaS and mapping platforms, especially in government and public institutions.
