
NEW DELHI: IT & electronics minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday said that India should develop software products and added there have been efforts by local startups to develop an indigenous browser.
“India has a strong IT sector with revenues of more than $282 billion. The focus so far was on services. Govt is now promoting startups, academia to develop software products. The goal is to develop India into a product nation,” he said.
The minister said that the govt had thrown open a challenge to develop indigenous browser. “Academia, startups, students, researchers responded enthusiastically, and we received a total of 58 entries. After a thorough evaluation process, three winners were shortlisted, which included Team Zoho (first prize), Team Ping (second), and Team Ajna (third).”
The minister said that a browser is the gateway to the internet. “Surfing, email, eOffice, online transactions, etc. happens mostly on browsers.”
“This browser will be compatible with Apple’s iOS, MS Windows and Google’s Android.”