Our 35-year-old journey through the history of Indian Electronics

The Amazing 80s

- GOPAL SRINIVASAN

GOPAL SRINIVASAN

Chairman, TVS Electronics

This decade saw the birth of TVS Electronics as a company that would not just go on to become a leader in its segment, but one that would change the game for Indian industry.

Till the 1970s India was still far behind in the technology game. Telephone and telegraph were the main modes of communication and primarily owned by the Government. The 80s brought with it a new wave of technology with several advancements in electronic engineering. And luckily, India had begun to ride that wave as soon as it had begun.

I remember at the time that with the easing of several norms including foreign investment, 100% foreign equity, reducing customs duties and so on, expansion took place especially in the computer and consumer electronics sectors. Almost all the electronic giants today found their genesis during this period where favourable government policies, easy access to funds and manpower, and rising market demand, spawned their growth.

Even the humble dot matrix printer which had been around for decades before, was now seen as a mainstay in several banks and large PSUs, including the Railways.

For all of us at TVS Electronics, the whole idea was that things had to be made in India... foreign exchange was in shortage, and technology was clearly scarce. Electronics was like this Goddess, completely protected by the priests from the average person... you had to prove that you belong... that you had what it takes to get access to Goddess Electronics.