I am certain that you have read various versions of this thought. Given the sheer nature of the businesses I have been involved in, I have been a believer of this notion even when it was a statement that spurred debates. One of the fallouts of Covid-19 is that it is no longer wise to argue against this statement. It does not matter if a company sells soap, kitchen gadgets or even clothes. Whatever the end product may be, the company itself has become technology driven.
In several conversations, we applaud the way in which sectors have embraced technology, or how this has accelerated transformation. But let’s take a step back and understand that the only reason this was possible was because the foundation was already there. The connectivity within our companies, the wherewithal to mobilise infrastructure to support work from home (WFH), the ability of businesses to turn digital almost overnight in order to reach out to consumers, was all possible because a certain groundwork had already been done in India. To say that gaps are being addressed even in the last mile is no exaggeration.
Now layer this with the talent prowess that India is known for. India’s edge in technology is not only apparent within the country, but also on the global stage. Our young leaders continue to be a force to reckon with. In the last couple of years, statistics have shown that the majority of the 35,000 startups that came into being were tech-led ideas. This is no surprise. Technology after all, does not care about things such as industry legacy or the size and stature required to operate in. It nearly always makes a level playing field even for the newest entrant – and ensures fair play in competition.
When we analyse the imminent recession in India, we do not get rosy pictures anywhere, be it market demand, job securities or profitability in business. Some companies even face existential issues. This is where technology can step in, help companies transform themselves and eventually triumph in the market place.
This edition of BW Businessworld is our debut Technology Special. Spearheaded by Senior Editor, Noor Fathima Warsia, this issue takes a deeper look at how technology companies and tech-based companies have grown despite the downturn. We analyse how India’s digital and data habits are changing and how data proliferation is already permeating through industries to the extent that at the end of the day, everything is about technology, even in fields like agriculture and medicine. Aatmanirbhar Bharat has its roots in Digital India. India is well on its way to becoming a hub for technology innovations and a competitive technology-driven economy. I am bullish on India. I am bullish on technology and I continue to be a great believer in the India tech story.
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