Amit Shah Endorses Zoho Mail: A Push for India’s Digital Self-Reliance
New Delhi, Oct 9 (TheTrendingPeople) — In a landmark endorsement that signals a shift toward homegrown digital infrastructure, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has announced his switch to Zoho Mail, a Chennai-based email service known for its privacy-first, ad-free platform. Shah shared his new official email ID — amitshah.bjp@zohomail.in — on October 8, urging citizens and institutions to support Indian-built technology as part of the nation’s self-reliance mission.
The move aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flagship initiatives — ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Digital India’ — which emphasize local innovation, data security, and economic independence in technology.
A Political Endorsement with a National Message
Shah’s public backing of Zoho is being seen as more than just a personal tech preference — it’s a strategic endorsement of India’s capacity to create secure, competitive digital products in a landscape long dominated by global giants like Google and Microsoft.
“Zoho Mail reflects India’s strength in building reliable, secure, and independent technology. Supporting such platforms means supporting our engineers and innovators,” Shah reportedly said during the announcement.
The endorsement also comes amid rising trade and diplomatic frictions with the United States, including tariff hikes and tightening of H-1B visa rules, which have affected Indian IT professionals and startups. The move is therefore symbolic of India’s tech sovereignty and the government’s broader goal to reduce dependency on foreign digital services.
Zoho: From Small Startup to Global Software Leader
Founded in 1996 by Sridhar Vembu and Tony Thomas, Zoho Corporation started as a small software company in Chennai. Today, it serves over 100 million users across more than 180 countries, offering a suite of business tools ranging from CRM and accounting software to mail and communication services.
Zoho’s appeal lies in its strict privacy policies — it neither tracks user activity for ads nor sells user data. Its email service, Zoho Mail, has been recognized for its clean interface, enterprise-level encryption, and reliable uptime.
Following Shah’s announcement, Zoho’s messaging app Arattai reportedly witnessed a 100-fold increase in new sign-ups, underscoring the ripple effect of government-level endorsements in driving user confidence.
Expressing gratitude, Sridhar Vembu, Zoho’s co-founder, said:
“This is a proud moment for every Indian engineer. Our mission has always been to build world-class products from India for the world. Shri Amit Shah ji’s trust in Zoho reinforces our belief that India can lead in privacy-conscious, reliable technology.”
The Shift from Gmail to Zoho Mail: What You Gain and What You Lose
Many users are now curious about how Zoho compares with Google’s Gmail, which dominates the email market globally. While Gmail is deeply integrated with Google’s advertising ecosystem, Zoho Mail focuses on data protection and an ad-free user experience.
1. Privacy and Ads
Zoho Mail does not scan emails for advertising, unlike Gmail’s algorithms that analyze data for targeted ads. This makes Zoho a better choice for those prioritizing privacy and data security.
2. Custom Domains and Business Tools
Zoho Mail allows users to set up custom domain emails (like yourname@yourcompany.com) even on affordable plans. It also integrates with Zoho’s collaboration tools like Streams, which enable internal discussions, tasks, and file sharing directly within the email ecosystem.
3. Attachment and Storage Limits
Zoho offers up to 1 GB of attachment capacity per mail, automatically converting larger files into secure download links. Gmail, by contrast, caps attachments at 25 MB, redirecting users to Google Drive for larger files.
4. Interface and Usability
While Gmail remains more familiar to many users, Zoho Mail offers a clutter-free, modern interface that is optimized for professionals. The platform is also available as part of Zoho Workplace, a suite of apps for email, chat, and office productivity.
How to Move from Gmail to Zoho Mail: A Step-by-Step Guide
Transitioning from Gmail to Zoho Mail is easier than most users expect. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Step 1: Create a Zoho Mail Account
Go to Zoho Mail’s official website and sign up for a plan that fits your needs. For business use, choose a Workplace or Business plan to connect your own domain.
Step 2: Enable IMAP in Gmail
In your Gmail account, go to Settings → See All Settings → Forwarding and POP/IMAP, and enable IMAP. This step allows Zoho’s migration tool to access your old emails securely.
Step 3: Import Emails and Contacts
In Zoho Mail, open Settings → Import/Export → Migration Wizard. Follow prompts to import your emails, folders, and contacts from Gmail. All your data will remain organized and accessible.
Step 4: Set Up Email Forwarding
To ensure you don’t miss new Gmail messages, enable email forwarding from Gmail to your Zoho Mail ID. Then update your new address across your social media accounts, subscriptions, and banking services.
This ensures a seamless transition without losing important communication or access.
Why Amit Shah’s Move Matters for India’s Digital Future
Amit Shah’s endorsement of Zoho is not just about promoting a local product — it represents a strategic statement of confidence in India’s digital independence. In an age where data sovereignty is becoming a national concern, this move emphasizes self-reliance in digital communication.
Industry experts believe that such endorsements can accelerate adoption of homegrown tech platforms in government and private sectors alike, mirroring the success of UPI, Aadhaar, and DigiLocker.
Tech analyst Rohit Kumar, speaking to TheTrendingPeople.com, observed:
“Amit Shah’s decision will likely trigger a chain reaction among officials and private businesses looking for secure, ad-free alternatives to U.S.-based platforms. It strengthens India’s position in the global digital race.”
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
Amit Shah’s adoption of Zoho Mail marks a symbolic yet practical stride toward Atmanirbhar Bharat in technology. It reinforces the growing sentiment that India’s innovation ecosystem is ready to compete on a global scale — offering products that prioritize privacy, security, and independence.
As more users consider shifting from foreign tech ecosystems, Shah’s endorsement could be the turning point that propels India into a new era of digital self-reliance and data sovereignty.
