'Arattai' To Take On WhatsApp? Meaning Of 'Made In India' App's Name And Features Explained

In a bid to promote homegrown ''Swadesh'' technology, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has highlighted the Indian-made messaging app Arattai as a local alternative to global platforms like WhatsApp.

The endorsement comes amid a broader push for “Swadeshi” apps and products across the country.Built by Chennai-based Zoho Corporation, Arattai has been praised for its user-friendly interface, which the minister described as "free, easy-to-use, secure, safe and 'Made in India'." On X, Pradhan wrote: "Arattai instant messaging app developed by @Zoho is free, easy-to-use, secure, safe and 'Made in India'. Guided by Honourable PM Shri @narendramodi ji's call to adopt Swadeshi, I appeal to everyone to switch to India-made apps to stay connected with friends and family."

All About Arattai - The name Arattai, meaning “casual chat” in Tamil, perfectly reflects its purpose: a simple messaging app for everyday conversations. Launched by Zoho, it allows users to send messages, images, videos, and documents, as well as make voice and video calls, share stories, and manage channels. It caters to both personal and business communication, with tools to engage audiences effectively.Key Features:1) Private and group chats for seamless communication2) Voice and video calling with secure end-to-end encryption3) Sharing of files, images, and other media4) Stories and broadcast channels to stay connected with audiences5) Tools designed for businesses to engage and interact with their followers

How Arattai differs From WhatsApp - While Arattai offers end-to-end encrypted calling, it does not provide end-to-end encryption for messages—a feature WhatsApp encrypts by default. This remains a key distinction for privacy-conscious users.Why it’s in the spotlight:Arattai gained attention after Pradhan’s post on X, linking the app to the government’s Swadeshi initiative and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to support Indian-made products. Union IT and Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also referenced Zoho’s products in a Cabinet briefing, noting a presentation created using Zoho Show instead of Microsoft PowerPoint.