Following PM Modi’s Swadeshi Call, IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Switches To Zoho

Last Updated:September 22, 2025, 22:10 IST

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shifts to Zoho, urging Swadeshi adoption as PM Narendra Modi promotes Made-in-India goods and GST Bachat Utsav.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. (PTI file photo)

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday announced that he is moving to Zoho, a homegrown platform for documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.

Announcing the decision on X, the Union IT Minister urged people to join Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for Swadeshi by adopting indigenous products and services.

“I am moving to Zoho — our own Swadeshi platform for documents, spreadsheets & presentations. I urge all to join PM Narendra Modi’s call for Swadeshi by adopting indigenous products & services,” Vaishnaw said in a post on X.

Zoho CEO Responds

“Thank you Sir, this is a huge morale boost for our engineers who have worked hard for over two decades to build our product suite,” said Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu. “We will make you proud and make our nation proud. Jai Hind,” he added.

PM Modi’s Push For Self-Reliance

Vaishnaw’s endorsement for Swadeshi products comes at a time when India is actively encouraging self-reliance in technology and digital infrastructure.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a letter to the people of India, urged citizens to support Made-in-India products during the festive season.

“On the auspicious occasion of Navratri, I extend my warm greetings to you and your families. May the festival bring health, happiness, and prosperity to all. This year, there is an additional reason to celebrate — from September 22, the next-generation GST reforms have come into effect, ushering in a nationwide ‘GST Bachat Utsav’ or savings festival,” the Prime Minister wrote.

PM Modi linked the move to the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ and said buying swadeshi goods not only strengthens the economy but also helps local artisans, workers and industries.

“Every time you buy a product made by our artisans, workers, and industries, you are helping families earn their living and creating job opportunities for our youth,” the Prime Minister had said, while also encouraging traders to promote local goods.

Yesterday, in his address to the nation, PM Modi highlighted that this year’s festive season has an added reason to celebrate with the launch of “GST Bachat Utsav”, made possible by the Next Generation GST reforms.

He said that the reforms would ease household expenses, strengthen small businesses, and make India more attractive to global investors.

The reforms introduce a simplified two-slab GST structure of 5% and 18%. Goods previously taxed at 12% will now move into the 5% category, while most items earlier under the 28% bracket will shift to 18%. A 40% levy, through compensation cess, will continue for luxury and sin goods.

Vaishnaw’s announcement to shift to Zoho reflects the government’s broader push to adopt indigenous platforms and promote self-reliance.

What Is Zoho?

Zoho is an Indian multinational technology firm best known for its comprehensive suite of web-based business tools and office productivity applications, catering to organizations of all sizes worldwide.

Founded in 1996 by Sridhar Vembu, it offers over 80 applications spanning sales, marketing, finance, HR, IT, analytics, and more—positioning itself as a “Swiss Army knife” of business software.

It is known for being an affordable and integrated alternative to platforms like Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and Salesforce.

About the Author

Shobhit Gupta

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben…Read More

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben… Read More

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