Union Minister for Electronics and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, has made headlines by announcing his move to Zoho for managing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. He shared this update in a post on X, urging Indians to adopt homegrown software in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Swadeshi call.
He wrote, “I am moving to Zoho — our own Swadeshi platform for documents, spreadsheets & presentations. I urge all to join PM Shri @narendramodi Ji’s call for Swadeshi by adopting indigenous products & services.”
I am moving to Zoho — our own Swadeshi platform for documents, spreadsheets & presentations. 🇮🇳
I urge all to join PM Shri @narendramodi Ji’s call for Swadeshi by adopting indigenous products & services. pic.twitter.com/k3nu7bkB1S
— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) September 22, 2025
This announcement has been seen as a strong endorsement of Indian software, especially at a time when the government is pushing for technological self-reliance.
What Is Zoho?
Zoho Corporation is a Chennai-based software company founded in 1996 by Sridhar Vembu and Tony Thomas. The company offers over 80 cloud-based tools for businesses, including HR, CRM, accounting, and project management solutions.
Its flagship Zoho Workplace and Zoho Office Suite directly compete with Microsoft Office 365 and Google Workspace. Unlike these global giants, Zoho does not rely on advertising, giving it a reputation for strong privacy and security.
On the right track! 🚆 Zoho Workplace ensures seamless collaboration with security you can trust. https://t.co/Ka8slqwZJl
— Zoho Workplace (@ZohoWorkplace) September 23, 2025
Despite being incorporated in the US, Zoho has always embraced its Indian roots. Much of its core work happens in Tenkasi, a rural town in Tamil Nadu. The company now serves over 100 million users across 150+ countries and earns more than $1 billion annually.
Why This Switch Matters
For years, Microsoft and Google have dominated the productivity software space, and by choosing Zoho, Vaishnaw has highlighted the importance of supporting Indian alternatives.
Zoho is also known for its affordability, making it especially popular among small and medium-sized businesses in India. Its products are cost-effective, privacy-friendly, and globally competitive.
The company’s credibility got another boost when it won an IT Ministry-backed challenge to develop a new Indian web browser. Though not yet mandated for official use, the win showed that Zoho could stand up to global tech giants.
Recognition has also followed its founder. CEO Sridhar Vembu was awarded the Padma Shri in 2021, and in 2024 Forbes listed him among India’s richest with a net worth of Rs 50,000 crore.
Zoho CEO Reacts to Minister’s Endorsement
Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu warmly welcomed Vaishnaw’s support. Replying to the Minister’s post, he wrote, “Thank you, Sir, this is a huge morale boost for our engineers… We will make you proud and make our nation proud. Jai Hind.”
The endorsement is expected to further boost Zoho’s visibility among Indian users, encouraging more businesses and individuals to switch from global tech platforms to this homegrown alternative.
