Regional is the new National: Why Bharat is the new real testbest for innovation

India's transition from a service-based economy to a product-driven nation is not a distant goal—it's happening in real time.

- PAWAN KUMAR

But if we're serious about becoming a global technology powerhouse, we need to innovate not just with speed, but with purpose. That purpose begins with understanding Bharat—the heartbeat of India that resides beyond the metros—and building for it.

WHY BHARAT MATTERS

For consumer technology manufacturers, the message is clear: the next 500 million users won't come from high-rises in Mumbai or tech parks in Bengaluru. They'll come from Tier 2, Tier 3 cities, and even rural towns. These users are digital-first, mobile-native, and increasingly aspirational. They stream videos, shop online, and follow influencers—just like their urban counterparts—but their needs, challenges, and cultural contexts are uniquely local. To ignore them is to miss out on the biggest growth story of the decade.

FROM ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL TO HYPERLOCAL INNOVATION

Localization is not a feature anymore—it's the DNA. The age of one-size-fits-all is gone. In 2025, a successful product strategy has to be Bharat-first, not India-wide. This includes:

- Knowing local content preferences to determine which smart TV models to release and where.