“The banning of Chinese apps is an opportunity for the Indian tech community to showcase their product ingenuity to the world”, says Shri SK Narvar, Chairman, Capital India Corp.

India’s government recently banned 59 Chinese mobile applications. What is your view on this development?

SK Narvar, Chairman, Capital India Corp: The decision to ban the 59 Chinese apps was undertaken to protect the security and sovereignty of our nation. I’m sure the government, under the guidance of our Hon’ble Prime Minister,has made a comprehensive study to arrive at this verdict. And thus, as responsible Indians, all of us should support the authorities in their resolution. I, whole-heartedly support the government’s measures to protect our borders.

The apps banned by the government were immensely popular with millions of users. How can we fill the void created?

In my opinion, the ban has happened at an opportune moment of our world history. The post-pandemic era will essentially be a digital-first world. And thus, the injunction invigorates the tech and product building potential of our country. Indian app developers should use the ban to their advantage by showcasing their ingenuity not just to fellow Indians but to the world. The growing popularity of Indian made applications such as Chingari and Mitron over the last few weeks demonstrates that it is possible.

What are your views on India’s technology development potential?

India is home to some of the best IT engineering minds in the world. I am a great believer in tech as an enabler for empowerment for the masses. For example, today, fintech is ensuring financial inclusion among millions of Indians who don’t have a banking system footprint. One of our companies in the fintech space, Rapipay is at the forefront of delivering assisted payment solutionsat a pan India levelwith tech driven solutions and mobile ATMs.

Indians such as Satya Nadella, Sundar Pichai and Shantanu Narayen are at the helm of some of the largest and most innovation ledIT organisations globally. Application development is an offshoot of the same genre of engineering. I’m confident that we have the talent and skills to produce world-class applications. The world’s most downloaded healthcare app, Aarogya Setu, is an excellent example of our competencies. Its vitality in fighting COVID-19 has been acknowledged by global authorities such as the World Bank.

What are your comments on the Prime Minister’s call for our tech community to create an Atmanirbhar App ecosystem?

I think that the Atmanirbhar Bharat Innovation challenge is a brilliant move to encourage the development of our nation’s tech and app ecosystem. As the Hon’ble Prime Minister has rightly pointed, the challenge will help our start-up and tech-communities by giving direction to their efforts, momentum to their hard-work and mentorship to their talent to evolve apps. Indian apps should not only be relevant in India but become world-class products.

What is your advice to technology entrepreneurs?

The tech community is at the threshold of a once-in-a-lifetime prospect to win the confidence of a billion Indians. They should use the opportunity carefully and thoroughly to demonstrate their true potential. Further, I would request them to extend their wholehearted support to the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s call to create an Atmanirbhar App ecosystem. By doing so, they will be able to channelise their creativity and skills to serve the nation.

While building any tech solutions, especially in the areas of fintech, we should ensure customer confidentiality, data security and ease of use – develop technology that is trusted by the consumers.