Comments on: India and Internet

By: Kiran Marke

Kiran Marke — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 07:42:12 +0000

Certainly entrepreneurs used to ignore Indian Market becoz they have to deal in Rs instead of $. But This recession has changed this thought. When we were not getting US\UK projects we have started looking inside. I am talking from my experience. I had never worked with Indian client before. But in last few months i was working on project proposals from indian clients. There is sure turnaround here. Small but definitely there is.

By: Darshana

Darshana — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 13:10:45 +0000

Nice post Ankit. I do agree with you that internet awareness needs to increase in our country but only localizing the sites is not enough. Many people scared of even touching computers….

By: Viral

Viral — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 18:14:31 +0000

I think,

- It is not required that everyone on earth use internet.
- Many people use it indirectly, such as using online ticket booking via agent
- More people use Mobile for communication as it does not require read / write skill, which around ( x%) fair amount of people do not have.

But yes, still we need more local language sites are local news paper or something similar.

By: Mohit

Mohit — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 20:06:27 +0000

Ankit, I really understand the sentiment here! But according to me, here are the roadblocks:

1. I have met number of people in last few months who are entrepreneurs and there are hardly people who are looking at Indian market. Arguments…US – quick money, more money , standard(??)! India – less money, delayed payments, people dont care and all! To a certain extent there are problems but each place requires a different business plan which they don’t “want” to understand.

2. No local languages for India specific sites – Only because of this pathetic mentality that English means standard and that a portal in any local language would not be that “coool”. Sad!

3. Even youth today thinks that talking in English is fashionable. Naturally, when youth is going that way, businesses will go that way!

Remedies:
1. Just like adv. industry has done, it has made Hindi a brand. So, we need to create portals which could qualify as “coool” in local languages!

2. We need to do it ourselves. Agree to it or not, most Indian IT firms are considered shit or a supplier of cheap labour outside than IT solutions providers. ANd they are earning well..so there is less chance of them looking at Indian market! I would say, let us start that and make local languages a brand!

Overall, a wonderfully researched and thought out article!