Google announces Rs 75,000 crore fund to boost India’s digital growth

At the sixth Google for India 2020 event, the Mountain View giant headed by Sundar Pichai announced that it is investing $10 billion (Rs 75,000 crore) into India to boost the digital ecosystem through its new Google for India Digitisation Fund. The virtual keynote session was live-streamed on YouTube due to the Coronavirus pandemic around the world. 

Pichai revealed that Google’s investment will take place in a planned course over the next five to seven years and will be spread out across equity investments, partnerships and investments in operations, infrastructure and ecosystem. 

“Today, I’m excited to announce the Google for India Digitization Fund. Through this effort, we will invest ₹75,000 crores, or approximately $10 billion, into India over the next 5-7 years,” Pichai announced during his keynote address. 

“As we make these investments, we look forward to working alongside Prime Minister Modi and the Indian government, as well as Indian businesses of all sizes to realize our shared vision for a Digital India,” he added.

Google announces Rs 75,000 crore fund to boost India’s digital growth

The Digitisation Fund investment will focus on providing information access to people of India in their regional language, building products and services for India, empowering businesses and SMBs to go digital and use technologies like AI in areas that require development such as health sector, education and agriculture.

“This investment is a reflection of our confidence in the future of India and its digital economy. Our goal is to realise the mission of making the internet helpful for 1.3 billion Indians, and help power the country’s economic engine. We are deeply inspired by India’s nation-building ambition, intellectual capital and spirit of enterprise. We look forward to being India’s committed partner in this journey — and to seeing India become the home of many global firsts in the coming years,” wrote Sanjay Gupta, Country Head & Vice President, Google India in a blog post.

Google partners with CBSE in India

Google has also collaborated with CBSE Skill Education and Training and together they aim to prepare 1 million teachers in 2020 to provide education to students by using digital tools such as YouTube and GSuite with a classroom approach. These 1 million teachers will be well-versed in using Google’s tool to educate youngsters which have become a necessity in the current times. They will provide education to students in 22,000 schools across India.

Grow with Google Small Business hub launched

Google has also launched its Grow with Google Small Business Hub which offers tools for businesses to help them run their business online. The hub includes tips, training and other resources for SMBs that will help them be updated with information on their websites and business profiles on Google.