Rajan Anandan Takes Over As New IAMAI Chairman; Deep Kalra Becomes Vice Chairman

Rajan Anandan, Vice President, Southeast Asia and India, Google, has become the new Chairman of the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI). He took over from Kunal Shah, co-founder and CEO of Freecharge.

The Vice Chairman of IAMAI, Vinod Bhat has been replaced by Deep Kalra, Chairman and Group CEO  of MakeMyTrip. The MD of Facebook and Southeast Asia Umang Bedi has been elected as the new Treasurer of the Association, while Dr. Shubho Ray will continue to be the President. The new council will hold the office for two years, as per an official statement.

The new IAMAI council aims at working towards expanding the Internet user base, especially in rural areas. With an estimated rural population of 906 Mn people and only 156 Mn reported Internet users, the potential users’ number is approximately 750 Mn.

The council will also focus on the promotion of local language content. As per the same statement, 56% content on the Internet is in the English language while only 0.1% is in Indian languages. Publishing content in Indian Languages could lead to an estimated growth of 39%, with the current Internet user base in India.

It will also support the development of various digital startups in India. The IAMAI believes that, with over 300 Mn Internet users and counting, the app economy in India could lead to an exponential level of Internet growth.

Established in 2004, the Internet and Mobile Association of India is the only professional industry body representing the online industry in India. With a membership of nearly 300 Indian and overseas companies, the association has looked to address challenges faced by the digital and online industry – ranging from mobile content and services to online advertising and ecommerce and more.

Some companies that have joined the council include Internet Times, OLX, Policy Bazaar, Yatra, Paytm, Hungama, and MobiKwik.