Specialists spotlight Bharat’s digital rise, flag want for reforms at Rising Bharat Summit – Firstpost

India’s digital revolution isn’t simply protecting tempo — it’s forward of the sport. On the CNN-News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2025, throughout a panel titled “Be a Sport: Bharat’s Billion Greenback Digital Play,” Vionix Biosciences CEO and tech knowledgeable Vivek Wadhwa made a daring assertion, saying, “India’s digital infrastructure is much forward of Silicon Valley’s.”

Wadhwa, who lives in California’s tech hub, mentioned he nonetheless faces points like poor web and dear cellular providers — issues which might be not an issue in India.

Wadhwa urged Indians to cease feeling inferior about their tech capabilities. “Individuals right here complain about gradual Jio speeds, however for me, it’s lightning quick in comparison with the US,” he mentioned. Wadhwa emphasised that India’s low-cost and widespread digital entry is one thing many developed international locations want they’d.

The session additionally included Harsh Jain, CEO and Co-Founding father of Dream Sports activities, and TV Mohandas Pai, Chairman of Aarin Capital Companions. Collectively, they mentioned how India’s startup scene is rising and the challenges it faces.

‘India has the expertise for deep tech’: Vivek Wadhwa

Responding to doubts about India’s means to construct deep tech startups, Vivek Wadhwa mentioned India shouldn’t be behind Silicon Valley. Primarily based on his personal hiring expertise, he mentioned, “I discovered higher machine studying expertise in India than in Silicon Valley — and with out the conceitedness.”

He identified that whereas Silicon Valley graduates anticipate large salaries and perks, Indian engineers are pushed and desirous to show themselves. “A Stanford graduate needs $200,000 to begin. In India, I discovered younger folks able to work 70 hours every week, stuffed with starvation and ambition,” he mentioned.

Wadhwa praised India’s sturdy training system and fast-growing startup surroundings for producing top-quality AI and deep tech expertise. He mentioned some Indian hires matched — and even outperformed — Silicon Valley engineers after only a few months of coaching. “Inside three to 4 months, they have been on par with the perfect,” he mentioned.

‘Capital is out there — however affected person capital is lacking’: Harsh Jain

Harsh Jain mentioned India has made massive progress in startup funding. “Ten years in the past, getting capital was powerful. Now we have now the whole lot — pre-seed, seed, Collection A, and development funding,” he mentioned.

However in the case of deep tech, Jain identified that India nonetheless lacks affected person capital — long-term funding that offers startups time to develop. “Within the US and China, corporations like Amazon and Tencent took a long time and billions in free money movement earlier than they might make investments closely in deep tech,” he defined. India, he added, is on the correct path however wants time and long-term assist to achieve that stage.

‘Laws are crushing Indian entrepreneurship’: TV Mohandas Pai

TV Mohandas Pai strongly criticised India’s regulatory and tax programs, calling them the largest boundaries to startup development. “After independence, one set of rulers left and one other took over,” he mentioned, arguing that the present system nonetheless treats entrepreneurs like “topics and victims.”

Pai mentioned heavy laws and unpredictable taxes are damaging enterprise confidence. He slammed revenue tax authorities for harsh practices and identified that ₹30 lakh crore is caught in tax disputes. “As a substitute of supporting companies, the system nonetheless runs on distrust,” he mentioned.

He additionally raised considerations about new guidelines giving tax officers entry to digital networks, calling it a worrying transfer in the direction of elevated surveillance.