To endorse or not — the China dilemma
India is poised to become the third largest consumer market and Adithya affirms the need of self-sufficiency, saying the country has a great opportunity here to scale up, and industry captains along with the government are already taking tough decisions to steer the country on the path of becoming a global superpower.
STRATEGY, NOT SENTIMENT
Anti-China sentiment has long been present in Indian public opinion due to historical and geopolitical factors. But the government should be wary of the dangers of the anti-China furore, feel some experts. K.E. Raghunathan, convenor Consortium of Indian Associations (CIA), a forum which represents over 30 associations across India, feels “You cannot isolate a country and take impulsive decisions and fight an economic war. By asking celebrities to stop endorsing foreign products or removing some apps from your mobile or by denying rooms to Chinese, you won’t achieve Aatma
Nirbhartha. What you need is a longterm strategy with short-term steps towards self-dependence.”
Pointing out that industries are yet to recover from the COVID-19 shock and “This is not the right time for us to boycott or look for alternative sources,” he said “It will only affect the ability of entrepreneurs in the country to bounce back. Industrial war cannot be fought with sentiment. Border wars can be fought with emotions and patriotism but you cannot start and fight an industrial or economical war by emotions. It should be fought with intelligence and strategy.” He however felt the government has taken the right step by including Country of Origin as information in the GeM portal.
Many TikTok users claimed they have deleted their accounts and said they wouldn’t use the Chinese app anymore. But the majority of high-earning TikTok users would not want to do so. Popular TikTok user Devi Narayanan says “I believe the majority of the TikTokers I personally know have a clear idea of what’s happening around. I don’t think it would be a good idea to delete an app to show your rage on what’s happening at the border. Many people are earning and have made this as part of their income. If the government decides to bring the app down due to public demand, people will lose money. But many of us are also relying on other platforms too. TikTokers would not restrict themselves in to one app these days I guess.”
More than the government, celebrities and sports bodies will face pressure from the fan base over the endorsement issue. Given the current financial crisis in the country, it will be interesting to see how organisations like
IOA and BCCI will handle the situation.
Indians are among the top users of Chinese apps available on PlayStore. TikTok was the first to face the wrath of Indian users when the anti-China sentiments were fanned into a fire by the face-off on the border. They have not just lost a lot of users from the country but the rating has gone downhill too. However, China based PUBG battle games have not been impacted yet Industrial war cannot be fought with sentiment. Border wars can be fought with emotions and patriotism but you cannot start and fight an industrial or economical war by emotions. It should be fought with intelligence and strategy — K.E. Raghunathan, convenor Consortium of Indian Associations (CIA) Many TikTokers are earning and have made this as part of their income. If the government decides to bring the app down due to public demand, people will lose money. But many of us are also relying on other platforms too. TikTokers would not restrict themselves in to one app these days I guess — Devi Narayanan, popular TikToker