The Heartbeat of Indigenous Tech: Arattai, Mahindra, and the Echoes of Digital Sovereignty
The recent buzz around Anand Mahindra's enthusiastic backing of the 'Made in India' app, Arattai, and the thoughtful reply from Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu "Anand Mahindra Downloads Arattai With 'Pride', Zoho's Sridhar Vembu Reacts", truly warmed my heart. It's more than just a new app; it's a testament to a growing movement, a collective realization that our digital future must be built on our own foundations, with our own ingenuity.
I recall with a sense of both validation and renewed urgency how I’ve championed this very idea for years. In my recent blog, "Cultivating Digital Sovereignty: The Imperative for Desi Social Media Platforms," I spoke about Prime Minister Modi's call for indigenous social media. This wasn't a new concept for me; it was a continuation of a perspective I had brought up much earlier.
Back in 2016, in a piece titled "IDEAS for INDIA STACK PLATFORM," I highlighted mobile technology as a true 'Messiah' for India’s connectivity. I was already contemplating the need for a robust, secure, and indigenous technological framework. It struck me then, as it does now, that relying solely on foreign platforms carries inherent risks—not just in terms of data security, but also in the potential outflow of our nation's intellectual and economic wealth. Seeing how the push for 'desi' platforms is gaining traction today, with prominent leaders like Anand Mahindra stepping forward, it's striking how relevant that earlier insight still is.
Further, in "Dear Vaishnawji & Chandrasekharji: Monetizing Personal Data Using Web 3.0," written in late 2023, I delved into the evolving discourse around data ownership and monetization. I emphasized that social media and emerging technologies should empower, not undermine, democracy, all while safeguarding personal data. The launch of platforms like Arattai, backed by Indian visionaries, aligns perfectly with the proposed solution of building secure, Indian-centric technological ecosystems that reflect our values and economic interests. My earlier proposal for leveraging Web 3.0 for data ownership and secure platforms clearly holds value in the current context, especially as we witness the unfolding of India’s digital narrative.
These are not just technical endeavors; they are existential ones. Digital sovereignty is about controlling our narrative, securing our data, and ensuring that the economic value generated within our digital spaces stays within our borders. It is about fostering an ecosystem where Indian talent can flourish, creating solutions tailored for India, by India. The interaction between Anand Mahindra and Sridhar Vembu is a wonderful beacon, signaling a collaborative spirit that is essential for this journey. It’s a powerful validation of the vision many of us have held for years: that India has the capability and the imperative to forge its own path in the digital world.
Regards,
Hemen Parekh
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