India’s 'Swadeshi' App: India’s homegrown messaging app Arattai has overtaken global rivals to secure the top spot on app stores, surpassing WhatsApp. Developed by Chennai-based Zoho, the platform brands itself as a “spyware-free, made-in-India” messenger, resonating strongly with Indian users. Originally launched in 2021 as an experimental project and positioned as an alternative to WhatsApp, Arattai—derived from the Tamil word meaning “chat” or “chit-chat”—has now evolved into a mainstream contender.

The milestone follows a week of rising buzz powered by endorsements, memes, and a surge of patriotic downloads. Its sudden spike in popularity also gained momentum after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan urged citizens to adopt local digital platforms, highlighting Arattai as a

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