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HCL And Nine Other Companies To Develop A Desi Alternative For Zoom And Google Meets
The Indian government suggested that Indians need to aggressively work on homegrown technologies and develop them so that they are on par with technologies developed by global giants. This push comes on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic which forced the government to enforce a strict lockdown which has exceeded two months. The economic struggles are slowly becoming apparent as the shutdown has impacted millions of businesses across the country. In order to stabilize the economy the Prime Minister of India Mr. Narendra Modi suggested Indians should focus on locally sourced products as a first priority.
During the lockdown chances of hearing about online video calling applications like Zoom, Google Meets and Microsoft Teams are very high as a lot of businesses which went remote have used one of these softwares as part of team communications. The Indian government has identified and shortlisted ten Indian companies to develop a Made In India video conferencing solution. These companies include Zoho, HCL, PeopleLink, Aria Telecom, CyberHorizon Corp, Instrive Softlabs, PeopleLink Unified Communications Sarv Webs, Soulpage IT Solutions, Techgentsia Software Technologies and Data Ingenious.
Each of these companies would receive 5 Lakh INR to develop a prototype similar to Zoom or Google Meets. The government would then shortlist three companies out of the ten and grant them 20 Lakh INR, to develop the video conferencing platform. The government would finally select one of the three companies to provide the final build which would be used by Central and state governments as an alternative to Zoom and Google Meets.
ALSO READ: Zoom Video Conferencing App Downloads Dethrone Whatsapp And TikTok In India
After the third round, the government would select the best solution which will get the final contract. The contract is said to be for a period of four years. In the first year, the government is expected to pay INR 1 Crore to the selected startup while additional INR 10 Lakh would be given to the company in the next three years for operations and maintenance of the solution.
The Project was undertaken by the Ministry of Information Technology and as a part of the push to promote Indian software products. The video conferencing solution should be able to work in low bandwidth areas without any glitches.
OpenAI’s introduction of trusted contact safeguards for potential self-harm cases reflects a major evolution in AI responsibility.
Beyond Moderation
AI safety is shifting from simply blocking harmful content to actively supporting user wellbeing through:
- early risk detection
- human-centered intervention
- stronger emotional safety frameworks
This positions AI as more than an information tool—it becomes part of broader digital support systems.
Key Industry Impact
Trusted contact models could influence future safety standards across:
- AI assistants
- mental health platforms
- social media
- digital health services
The Bigger Challenge
While promising, success depends on balancing:
- privacy
- consent
- ethical intervention
- user trust
Final Take
This move signals that the future of AI safety may rely not just on preventing harmful responses, but on building more responsible, human-connected support systems.
Rozana, India’s leading rural retail platform, has secured ₹290 crore ($35 million) in a Series B funding round led by Bertelsmann India Investments (BII), with participation from Omidyar Network India, Vivid Capital, and Tana Investment Holding. This Rozana funding brings its total capital to over ₹500 crore, fueling hyperlocal expansion in underserved rural markets. Founded in 2021 by brothers Prashant and Prateek Chauhan, the startup’s phygital model blends micro-stores, app-based ordering, and last-mile delivery to connect 5 million+ users in 12 states with brands like ITC and HUL.
The ₹290 crore investment will supercharge Rozana’s rural omnichannel retail strategy, targeting 5x growth in 18 months. Plans include adding 5,000 micro-stores in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan; AI-powered inventory tech; and new categories like groceries and electronics. By empowering 20,000+ rural micro-entrepreneurs, Rozana taps into India’s $700 billion rural retail boom, where smartphone penetration and UPI drive 12% annual growth.
This Rozana Series B milestone positions it as a frontrunner against rivals like Ninjacart, eyeing unicorn status by 2028 amid ONDC tailwinds. CEO Prashant Chauhan emphasized, “We’re building rural prosperity through accessible premium brands.” For more on Rozana funding news and rural retail trends, stay updated on India’s startup ecosystem.
Peak XV Partners has launched three new funds totaling $1.3 billion, targeting India’s booming startup ecosystem. The lineup features the $600M Surge fund (8th edition) for early-stage ventures, a $300M Growth Fund for Series B+ scaling, and a $400M Acceleration Fund for rapid portfolio expansion. This commitment arrives as India’s VC inflows rebound, with AI and fintech leading 2026 trends.
These funds build on Peak XV’s legacy of backing unicorns like Zomato and Pine Labs, offering founders capital plus strategic guidance amid post-winter recovery. Early-stage deals surged 20% last year per Tracxn, positioning Peak XV to fuel the next wave of innovation in SaaS, climate tech, and consumer plays.
For startups eyeing Peak XV new funds or Surge fund 2026 applications, this signals prime opportunities. Investors and marketers should watch for deployment updates India remains a global VC hotspot.
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