Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Google vs Indian apps battle: Startup ecosystem must be protected

On March 1, Google announced it would remove apps from 10 Indian developers, including Shaadi.com, Naukri.com, jeevansathi.com, and Bharat Matrimony, from its Play Store in India for non-compliance with its billing policies.

The Union Minister said, “Ultimately, the startup ecosystem and the people who have created so much value in our society, in our economy, in our people’s lives, creating such innovative solutions, they must be protected.”

Jaya Kishori has almost 11 million followers on Instagram; who is she?

Kishori has almost 11 million followers on Instagram, where she posts largely motivational content and snippets. (Image sourced via Instagram)

Jaya Kishori got the National Creators Award in the ‘Best Creator Award for Social Change’ category at the first-ever creators award backed by the government. She received the award from PM Narendra Modi.

Meet Janhvi Singh, the creator who got a national award from PM Modi

Singh has over 566 thousand followers on her main Instagram account - janhvsingh, dedicated to spirituality and culture, shastras, sanskriti and sarees. (Image sourced via Instagram)

Janhvi Singh got the National Creators Award in the Heritage Fashion Icon category at the first-ever creators award backed by the government. She received the award from PM Narendra Modi.

Meet Ranveer Allahbadia aka BeerBiceps who has over 14 million subscribers on YouTube

He is also the co-founder of one of India’s leading influencer management agencies - Monk Entertainment. He’s also the co-founder of Level Supermind, a meditation and wellness app that he is co-building alongside Schbang’s Harshil Karia. (Image sourced via Instagram)

Ranveer Allahbadia, also known as BeerBiceps, got the National Creators Award in the disruptor category at the first-ever NCA that’s backed by the government. He received the award from PM Narendra Modi.

Nishchay Malhan aka Triggered Insaan receives Best Creator In Gaming Category award from PM Modi

More than 1.5 lakh nominations came in and around 10 lakh votes were cast. There are a total of 200 nominees vying for the inaugural award. (Images sourced via LinkedIn and X)

Malhan shared that an award in the gaming category is a big recognition, positively welcomed as gaming is finally receiving the spotlight it deserves.

Gaurav Chaudhary aka Technical Guruji receives Best Creator In Tech Category award by PM Modi

The PM shared, “There’s one topic that India is doing a lot towards. And I’ve been telling leaders all over the world about it - Digital India’s success. I always have one request in this space. For a bright future, we need ensure that technology is democratised.” (Images sourced via LinedIn and X)

“We know that India has a talented bunch of people. And after these initiatives when manufacturing began in India and foreign companies began entering and investing in the country, I thought that I too could share some of my own knowledge to enhance growth,” Chaudhary said.

boAt’s Aman Gupta receives Celebrity Creator of the Year award by PM Modi at National Creators Awards

More than 1.5 lakh nominations came in and around 10 lakh votes were cast. There are a total of 200 nominees vying for the inaugural award. (Images sourced via LinedIn and X)

“Just like how people line up to buy a foreign product, we want that foreigners to line up to buy Indian products,” boAt’s Aman Gupta said when he received his award from PM Modi.