By Anupriya Acharya
So much has been reported in the media, on each of the initiatives that Google is taking on, in India over the next few quarters and years. Be it the Hyderabad campus, free Wi-Fi at 500 railway stations, maps and YouTube being available offline, enhanced detailed maps from local guides, search pages loading faster through Google AMP pages, Project Loon, Tap to translate, Internet
Saathi, training of 2 million android developers, the list goes on.
I must say that as I listened to the Google top brass led by Sundar Pichai on 'Google for India,' I sat quite engaged. They held my attention for the entire half-day session that had been organised. It was not one or two big things that they spoke of, but of multiple, multi dimensional initiatives that attempted to address each of the key challenges being faced in India by both the netizens as well as the next round of internet joiners. Low connectivity, low speed data connections, comfort in vernacular, making women a part of the progress and the like. And on the other hand they also had initiatives that tap into the same market for creation of this more relevant product like the Hyderabad campus, training of developers in conjunction with 30 universities, YouTube tie up with Whistling Woods for content, Google Capital investing $20Mn in Indian startups etc. It surely is a well thought out strategy and the efforts look genuine.
Yet, there has also been much talk about how it is for their vested interests that all these internet giants look towards India. Well, so be it! The fact remains that Google is willing to walk that long tough path in India and has focused all its initiatives around the country and people at the center. It is not a product first strategy - it' is a strategy designed around people and real issues. And so even if the courtship is largely to achieve its own goals of the next decade, at least it benefits our market along the way. This digital acceleration cannot happen only on the back of war cries and manifestos. It needs companies that believe in it and are ready to invest in it. And if for nothing else, I give full marks to Google for India - they have a vision, a strategy linked to the market, they have demonstrated abilities of delivering, and of course a very genuine face and voice in Sundar. What remains to be seen is the speed and excellence in execution. That is where the real mettle gets tested. In the meantime, more power to India!
The author, Anupriya Acharya, is Group CEO, ZenithOptimedia India
