• Source:JND
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India's messaging space is soon to see a new entry. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has encouraged people to give Arattai, a self-developed messaging application made by Chennai company Zoho Corporation, a shot as a locally developed alternative to WhatsApp.

In a post on social media platform X, Pradhan described Arattai as “free, easy-to-use, secure, and safe,” linking his endorsement to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Swadeshi initiative. He encouraged people to support locally developed digital tools to stay connected with friends, family, and colleagues.

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What Is Zoho's Arattai?

The title Arattai, or "casual chat" in Tamil, indicates the app's fundamental purpose: uncomplicated, casual everyday communication. Users may send messages, photos, videos, and documents, place voice and video calls, build stories, and work with channels. The app also allows companies to share material and interact with groups, so it is a useful tool for both private and commercial purposes.

Arattai was developed with privacy as a priority, today already offering end-to-end encryption for calls, securing voice and video chats from public scrutiny. Zoho frames the app as part of its broader play to provide Indian alternatives to international technology products, fostering connectivity while supporting local ingenuity.

Established in 1996 by Sridhar Vembu and Tony Thomas, Chennai-based Zoho Corporation delivers more than 55 business applications across email, CRM, HR, accounting, and project management. With over 130 million users spread over 150 nations, Zoho has world giants like Amazon, Netflix, Deloitte, Puma, Toyota, Sony, and L'Oréal as customers. Its tagline, "Made in India. Made for the world" reflects its desire to compete globally and remain India-centric.

The government has noticed. Previously, Union IT and Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw mentioned Zoho products during a Union Cabinet presentation, announcing the presentation has been created with Zoho Show rather than Microsoft PowerPoint — a soft testimonial for homegrown tech options.

Can Arattai Replace WhatsApp?

Although Arattai is picking up steam, it has not yet overcome all challenges to be a complete WhatsApp rival. One of the limitations is that it does not offer end-to-end encryption for messages. This security mechanism allows only the sender and receiver to view messages, protecting them from hackers, surveillance, and unauthorised access. Arattai currently only encrypts calls, leaving the messages exposed — something privacy-aware consumers will worry about.

Despite this, the promotion of Arattai aligns with the government’s broader goal of fostering homegrown technology. By encouraging the adoption of Indian platforms, ministers aim to reduce reliance on global giants while supporting local innovation.

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For now, Arattai is establishing itself as a promising homegrown alternative. If Zoho continues to address security gaps and expand features, the app could become a defining platform for casual chat in India.