Complemented by networks spanning the country, the lowest tariffs in the world, and cheap data rates, over 650 million of this access the internet.
With so many online, it seems that the whole country has moved to Cyberia (Russian friends, note the spelling - and not the phonetic sound - before you get alarmed and wonder whether India is in a NATOlike expansionist mode). For the first time, so many Indians are connected to one another, and everyone who is anyone is on at least a dozen WhatsApp groups.
What a change from the days of yore! Dinosaurs - like I - will recall a time when a dozen families were part of a different group: the share-a-phone-line community. Phones were as scarce as water in the Yamuna in summer, and getting a new phone line took only marginally less time than the final hearing in a court case.
Along-distance call - known as a trunk call required a booking to be made through an operator and even an "urgent" one required the patience of just short of that demanded on the rush hour on the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway (the last word indicative of the authorities' sense of humour!). The impatient and desperate could book a lightning call, though the price difference between an ordinary trunk call, an urgent one, and a lightning call escalated exponentially.
"NO LINE"
Denne historien er fra June 18, 2022-utgaven av Businessworld India.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra June 18, 2022-utgaven av Businessworld India.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Gauging Trumponomics For India
Despite some shortto mediumterm headwinds in trade and immigration, the broader Indo-US vision of counterbalancing China’s influence is expected to ensure continued cooperation under Trump 2.0
Reflections on Consciousness and Creation
Indian-American DEEPAK CHOPRA on the nature of the universe, the digital fabric of existence, and the power of a conscious mind
MORE TAKE TO DRIVING IN STYLE
High-end luxury vehicles are no longer part of a niche market, but a rapidly expanding segment of automobile sales, driven by changing consumer preferences, rising disposable incomes and better infrastructure
India's Growing Affinity for Swiss Watches: A Luxury on the Rise
NDIA'S ROBUST ECONOMIC growth, projected to exceed 6 per cent in 2024 and 2025, is fostering a rising demand for aspirational products. As disposable incomes increase, particularly among the expanding middle class, luxury goods such as Swiss-made watches are gaining popularity.
An ENRiching Outlook
KPMG's latest report shows energy CEOs being optimistic about the sector's outlook. ANISH DE, Global Head, ENRC, KPMG speaks to BW Businessworld's Arjun Yadav on what's driving this confidence
Paving the Path to a Sustainable Future
Salesforce's ESG journey has made an impact beyond the company. SUNYA NORMAN, SVP of ESG Strategy and Engagement at Salesforce, shares more on how the tech giant integrates sustainability into its core operations, supporting global goals while empowering employees
LEADERSHIP TRANSITION AT XIAOMI INDIA
Xiaomi India is experiencing a leadership evolution, beginning with Muralikrishnan B's departure as President by the end of 2024. This change underscores Xiaomi's shift towards nurturing local talent amidst dynamic global shifts. The story tracks key transitions from Manu Kumar Jain's leadership to Muralikrishnan B's impactful tenure, along with recent strategic hires, highlighting Xiaomi's alignment towards market adaptability and consumer focus
WEAVING SUSTAINABILITY
Once a modest home textile manufacturer, Jindal Worldwide has evolved into a vertically integrated textile powerhouse, spanning critical segments of the yarn and fabric value chain
FORCE FOR GOOD
FY24 saw capacity expansions for Century Enka in nylon and polyester segments, along with investments in modernisation, renewable energy, and safety initiatives
REIMAGINING TOMORROW
For V-Guard, tomorrow signifies progress, driven by today's actions, setting the foundation for future growth and value creation for all stakeholders