HCL co-founder Ajai Chowdhry has been a vocal advocate for India’s transformation into a “product nation”. He believes that India has the potential to become a global leader in product innovation and manufacturing, rather than just being a hub for IT services. Chowdhry’s vision for India is to create a ecosystem that fosters the development of innovative products and solutions, which can then be exported to the world.
According to Chowdhry, India’s IT industry has been successful in providing services to global companies, but it is now time for the country to focus on creating its own products and intellectual property. He cites the example of companies like HCL, which have successfully developed and exported products like computers and laptops. Chowdhry believes that with the right mindset and ecosystem, India can create many more such success stories.
Chowdhry’s concept of a “product nation” involves creating a comprehensive ecosystem that includes innovation, design, manufacturing, and export of products. He believes that this ecosystem should be supported by a favorable policy framework, infrastructure, and talent pool. He also emphasizes the importance of collaboration between industry, academia, and government to create a vibrant product innovation ecosystem.
One of the key initiatives that Chowdhry has been promoting is the concept of “First India”, which involves creating products and solutions that are designed and developed in India, for the Indian market, before being exported to the rest of the world. He believes that this approach will help Indian companies to develop products that are tailored to the needs of the domestic market, and then leverage that expertise to export products to other countries.
Chowdhry’s vision for India as a “product nation” is not just limited to the IT industry. He believes that India can become a global leader in a wide range of industries, including healthcare, education, and renewable energy. He cites the example of companies like Tata Motors, which have successfully developed and exported products like electric vehicles.
Overall, Ajai Chowdhry’s advocacy for India becoming a “product nation” is a call to action for the country to focus on creating innovative products and solutions that can be exported to the world. His concept of “First India” is a key part of this vision, and involves creating products and solutions that are designed and developed in India, for the Indian market, before being exported to the rest of the world. With the right ecosystem and mindset, India can become a global leader in product innovation and manufacturing, and achieve its potential as a “product nation”.