"Criticism Will Come, But India Needs Swadeshi Tech": Zoho Founder Sridhar Vembu
In a conversation with NDTV, Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu responded to criticisms about Zoho's growing adoption by Indian government officials and claims of political proximity. Vembu emphasized that the support for Zoho is not about politics, but part of a broader 'Swadeshi moment'—a national awakening toward technology self-reliance and digital sovereignty. He explained that this movement goes beyond Zoho and reflects a growing consensus among citizens, industry, and government that India must control its technological future. Vembu, a long-time supporter of Swadeshi values, noted that he has been advocating for indigenous technology development for years, independent of any specific government. Addressing criticism, he said skepticism is inevitable when doing good work, but he chooses to focus on the mission rather than distractions.
