Mohali's tech rise: From satellite town to digital powerhouse
Once a quiet satellite town of Chandigarh, Mohali is now a rising IT and (information technology enabled services) ITeS hub, backed by policy, investment, and talent. The city is now reaping the benefits of a movement that started in 2018 when a committee led by veteran economist Montek Singh Ahluwalia highlighted start-ups as job creators. Punjab's new IT policy targeting 55,000 jobs while offering tax incentives, and world-class infrastructure, has given another big push to this digital drive.
Ashish Mehta, COO of Innovation Mission Punjab (IMP), a state-supported public-private initiative conceptualised in 2020, says, 'One start-up can generate 10 jobs'. With Rs 10 crore in state funding, IMP has facilitated Rs 33 crore in start-up investment and created 4,000–5,000 jobs in the last three years, he adds.
Adding to the momentum, the Centre has committed $1.2 billion to upgrade Mohali's Semi-Conductor Laboratory (SCL), an autonomous MeitY body led by Dr Kamaljeet Singh, signalling strong national backing for Mohali's high-tech ambitions.
Start-ups, scale and social impact
Global outsourcing firm TaskUs, blockchain pioneer Antier, AI road-safety innovator Road Athena, and digital services company QORWeb are among the plethora of companies redefining the start-up narrative in the city.
'We call ourselves disruptors in the outsourcing market,' says Sapna Bhambani, India head of TaskUs, which now employs over 4,000 people in Mohali, the company's second-largest India site.
Bhambani says cities like Mohali offer a unique mix of ambition, humility and opportunity. 'We're not here just to run an operation, we're here to build people. Mohali gives us that canvas.'
For Antier, which began operations in 2004 and now employs over 700 people, Mohali offered the right ecosystem from the start. 'We didn't have to be in Bengaluru or Hyderabad to build world-class blockchain products,' says CEO Vikram Singh. 'What we had was clarity of vision, deep execution, and a hunger to build from where we belonged.'
Singh, who is self-taught and not a college graduate, is often cited by IMP as a symbol of Mohali's grassroots ambition. 'Stories like his show the power of local determination,' an IMP representative says.
Start-ups like Road Athena have shown what's possible with the right support. The AI-based road condition and safety platform grew over 500 per cent year-on-year, bagging accolades from NASSCOM and a World Bank showcase. 'They came to us at MVP stage,' IMP notes. 'Now they've raised Rs 2 crore under the HPCL programme.'
'We didn't need Silicon Valley to build what we're building,' says Road Athena's co-founder Prerna Kalra. 'We needed engineers who could solve local problems, and a city that understood ambition. Mohali gave us both.'
QORWeb co-founder Manpreet Singh, who started his digital marketing firm with a single desktop, now has a global client base. 'People used to think talent only came from metros. Mohali just needed to be seen,' he says.
Infrastructure that delivers
Mohali now boasts infrastructure that rivals India's biggest tech centres. The Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) Mohali facility features a Tier-III data centre with 10,000 sq ft server space and 160-rack capacity. In the financial year 2020–2021, the region exported IT/ITeS services worth Rs 1,471 crore to clients across the US, Canada, Norway and Australia.
Facilities like Quark City, BESTECH Towers, and the upcoming IT city project have made plug-and-play workspaces easily accessible.
For Road Athena, having a local data centre made a tangible difference. 'We handle massive volumes of video and image data. Being close to the infrastructure cut our cloud costs and sped up analysis,' Kalra says.
Talent that transforms
The city's rise is also powered by a strong talent pipeline. Institutions like IIT Ropar, IISER, Panjab University, PEC, Chitkara and Chandigarh University have fed the region with engineers trained in AI, blockchain, full-stack development and more.
'We've trained hundreds of engineers from Tier-2 and Tier-3 backgrounds, they're now leading blockchain deployments worldwide,' says Antier's Vikram Singh.
Manpreet Singh of QORWeb adds, 'I've trained people who had zero tech background. Today they're leading projects for US clients. That's the real story of Mohali, it's not just producing talent, it's transforming lives.'
Through its PINE (Punjab Innovation and Networking Ecosystem) platform, IMP connects start-ups with 27 incubators and facilitates prototyping, 3D printing and industry-academia collaborations. Its Campus Ambassador Programme reaches over 70 colleges, embedding entrepreneurship into the curriculum.
'There's no dearth of capability here,' says Bhambani of TaskUs. 'We've been able to build high-performing teams from scratch. People just needed a platform that believed in them.'
The road ahead
'In the last three years, we've worked with over 6,000 entrepreneurs and changed the orbit of more than 1,000 start-ups,' says IMP's Mehta. 'There's an ecosystem here. Everyone is building something. Everyone wants to stay.'
As India's digital economy decentralises, Mohali may no longer be an alternative. It may just be the advantage.
The author is an intern with The Indian Express
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
a minute ago
- Indian Express
Why Maharashtra farmers have grown cold to Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana
Maharashtra has seen a drastic dip in the enrolment for the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, which allows farmers to insure their crops against losses due to natural calamities. Enrolment has plummeted from last year's 76.31 lakh to 31,39.15 lakh, as of July 31, with farmers saying the scheme has become 'non-viable' owing to the rollback of the Rs 1 premium by the state government and stringent compensation rules. Why have many farmers decided not to insure their crops? This is the first year that Yuvraj Patil, who grows soyabeans over 16 acres in Shelgaon village in Nanded district's Ardhapur taluka, has decided not to insure his crops. His reason: the Rs 1,100/hectare premium is not viable given the stringent compensation norms. 'The scheme has not taken local natural calamities into consideration. The manner in which compensation is to be calculated is also faulty,' he said. The guidelines of the Fasal Bima Yojana talk about increased usage of technology and crop-cutting experiments. The first one, Patil said, was a red flag: 'Satellite images would be used to calculate losses'. 'But what is the guarantee that it would be able to get the correct picture? If it rains at night and the satellite picture is of the morning, then the losses will not be captured,' he said. What is crop insurance and how did it help farmers? Implemented across the country, the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana has the premium divided among the state government, central government, and farmers. The first two take up the lion's share of the premium to be paid, while the farmers' share is kept minimal so as to make the scheme affordable for them. As the vast majority of farmers in Maharashtra practise rain-fed agriculture, the scheme was a hit with them, given the cushion it provided in case of crop loss. The farmers now pay just 2 per cent of the premium, while the rest is taken care of by the central and state governments. In 2023, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that farmers would be able to opt for the insurance at Rs 1. This continued for the fiscal of 2023-24 and also the fiscal of 2024-25, leading to record enrollment by farmers. Thus, 78.82 lakh farmers insured their crop during the 2023 kharif season, 73.19 lakh farmers opted for the scheme in the 2024 kharif season, as per the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana's web portal. Many say the current dip in the enrolment is a result of the rollback of the Rs 1 premium. The state government has extended the scheme's deadline to August 14 after the initial deadline of July 31 lapsed. Why was the premium rolled back? On April 30, 2025, Fadnavis, now the chief minister, rolled back the Rs 1 premium that he had introduced as the deputy chief minister, and financial irregularities and bogus claims were supposed to be the reason. Officials said that scrutiny of the scheme had shown over five lakh bogus claims. Government land, barren land, and other types of land were found to have been insured under the scheme, with compensation being pocketed by middlemen. The rollback is estimated to help the Government save over Rs 5,000 crore. What do farm leaders and farmers have to say? Farmers like Patil know that by not insuring their crops, they are taking a major risk. But they are willing to take the risk. 'The cover provided might be good, but the manner in which the regulations are drawn is not conducive for us. Why should we invest in a scheme which is of no use to us,' he said. Before the state government introduced the Rs 1 premium, the scheme had witnessed a constant dip in enrolment, and political leaders across party lines had called for a rethink on the scheme. Anil Ghanwat, the leader of Shetkari Sanghatana, a farmer union founded by the late Sharad Joshi, said the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana has lost its utility for farmers. 'The scheme is not stacked heavily in favour of insurance companies. Hence the rollback,' he said.
Pink Villa
3 minutes ago
- Pink Villa
Netizens go berserk as Mumbai cook earns around Rs 2 lakh a month, gets Rs 18,0000 per house for 30-minute job
Many times, we have seen reels and posts on social media joking around, either a Paani Puri vendor or a Vada Pav vendor earning equivalent to or sometimes more than a person with a high degree. Well, this is not just for laughs; a Mumbai-based lawyer's tweet about her cook earning a bomb is going viral. And this will make you want to up your culinary skills and reconsider your career options. Taking to her X handle, Ayushi Doshi, a Mumbai Advocate, shared a funny tweet about her cook and his earnings. She wrote, 'My Maharaj (Cook) •Charges ₹18k per house •Max 30 mins per house •10–12 houses daily •Free food & free chai everywhere •Gets paid on time or leaves without a goodbye. Meanwhile, I'm out here saying 'gentle reminder' with trembling hands with minimum salary.' Her tweet received mixed reactions from fellow netizens, with many claiming the authenticity of her statement and stating that the price he charges is unbelievably high. But later, Doshi shared yet another tweet clarifying those exorbitant charges and wrote, 'Mumbai folks, back me up! This is what good Maharajs charge in decent localities. The same cook charges Rs 2.5k a day for a family of 12 isn't overcharging, it's just how things work here,' she posted. 'And no, it's not 'engagement farming.' It's just real-life experience in one of the most expensive cities in the country. If you can't relate, maybe just accept the difference in cost of living and keep scrolling instead of shouting 'fake' in the comments,' she added. Taking to Ayushi explained that she knows Rs 18,000 per household for 2 meals sounds a bit unbelievable, and that is the reaction she has been getting from many people too. But she also said that this is what one pays in a decent locality in Mumbai. 'Of course, not all cooks charge that much; many charge 10- 12k as well. But if someone is really good, efficient, and has built a reputation, they can charge a premium. The cook I mentioned is known in our entire locality for almost 10 years & the families trust him completely. Good cooks with solid reputations charge that much, and people are willing to pay because they deliver quality, consistency, and speed.' She continued that the cook works for 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the household size. He works in 10-12 flats in the same complex. So it's very much possible for him to make 1.8- 2 lakhs a month, without any exaggeration,' she added. Well, this surely does raise eyebrows and sounds unbelievable! Stay tuned to Pinkvilla for more such updates.
Business Standard
3 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Zigly's 'International Happy Pets Day' Celebrates Pet Friendship and Brings Pet Community Together for Social Cause
NewsVoir New Delhi [India], August 4: Zigly, (Cosmo First Limited) India's first tech-enabled omnichannel pet care brand successfully concluded the second edition of 'International Happy Pets Day (IHPD)' across India, witnessing over 2200 pets and parents participating in the day-long celebration. Building on the incredible success of last year's inaugural event, this landmark festivity, coinciding with Friendship Day, celebrated the special bond between pet parents and their pawsome pals, while promoting responsible pet parenting. This year, the day-long festivity was spread across Zigly's Experience Centers across the country. The overwhelming response demonstrated the growing pet care community in India, their enthusiasm for dedicated pet-centric celebrations and sharing their pet parenting journey with new parents. Zigly's 'International Happy Pets Day' (IHPD) celebration featured a host of activities to delight both pets and pet parents, creating memorable bonding moments. In a first of its kind from an omnichannel program in the industry, Zigly launched 'Zigly Coins' - where customers can earn one coin on every spend of Rs. 100, with each coin valued at Re 1, adding value to a customer's purchase for their furry friends. The event also marked the launch of an exclusive range of pet products such as Wet Food & Fresh Food and Yak Chews for dental hygiene by in-house Applod Brand, Travel Mat in Zigly Lifestyle, launch of a new brand Catmos for Cat litter and Grooming tools in Fur Pro range for dogs and cats. Celebrating the second year of IHPD, Mr Pankaj Poddar, Group CEO, Cosmo First said, "This strong response to our second International Happy Pets Day validates our vision of creating meaningful experiences for India's pet community. The enthusiasm and participation we witnessed across all our centers reinforces our belief that pet parents are looking for avenues that celebrate their bond with their companions while providing valuable services, community connections and a safe space to educate new pet parents. This success motivates us to continue innovating and expanding our offerings for the pet care ecosystem in India." Interactive games, puzzles and free treats kept the tails wagging while the twinning contests and pet fashion shows were major crowd-pullers, with participants showcasing creative outfits and celebrating the unique personalities of their pets. Professional pet portraits and photobooth sessions captured precious memories for families. Additionally, live entertainment and surprise goodies brought 'pawsitive' cheers to the event. Over 100 performers and artists along with pet parents created a vibrant atmosphere, with the brand's signature song "O Mere Yaara" adding a special touch to the celebrations. Further, over 150 pet influencers happily participated in the event, making it a grand celebration. As part of this initiative, pet parents received complimentary health check-ups for their pets, along with anti-rabies vaccinations among many other benefits, including flat 20% off on Everyday Shine grooming services, discounts on select food brands, treats, and toys, along with attractive offers on Zigly Lifestyle products. Recognising the people who are equally helping the pet care ecosystem to flourish, Zigly also presented few special award and trophies at IHPD. The 'Influencer of the Year' awards recognised pet influencers for creating the most engaging content, while the 'Influencer of Empathy' awards honoured those who made significant contributions in Animal welfare. Further, to celebrate the unique bonds between pet and their human, Zigly also presented 'Pets Got Talent' award, showcasing some amazing and unique abilities of participating pets. Keeping true to the genesis of Zigly, 100% of the proceeds from the event's ticket sales were donated to Zigly Foundation, demonstrating the company's dedication to support the broader animal welfare and supporting various NGOs associated with the foundation. This year, Rs. 3 lakhs was raised during the event, which will enhance the foundation's work to raise awareness about pet and animal rights, conduct pet adoption drive and support various animal shelters. The positive reception to IHPD 2025 continues to strengthen Zigly's position as a comprehensive petcare company in India. Initiatives such as Zigly Coins and Happy Pet Index launched during the inaugural IHPD, highlights the brand's innovative service and creating community-driven experiences that enhance the lives of pets and their parents. Zigly is a leading omnichannel platform for pet care, offering comprehensive veterinary care, best-in-class pet spa and grooming services, pet fashion, pet food, and more. With multiple experience centers across India, including Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Bangalore, Secunderabad, Lucknow, Jaipur, Indore, and Dehradun, Chandigarh, Panchkula and Ludhiana Zigly is expanding its physical presence by opening new stores in other major cities. As a direct-to-consumer (D2C) pet care brand under the umbrella of Cosmo First, Zigly is committed to providing innovative solutions for pet owners. Visit your nearest Zigly Experience center, log on to or download the Zigly App to discover the Zigly experience today. Founded in 1981, Cosmo First is a multinational conglomerate and global leader in specialty films, with five major business verticals and operations in over 100 countries. Its portfolio spans flexible packaging, lamination, labelling and specialty films (Cosmo Films), specialty chemicals (Cosmo Speciality Chemicals), rigid packaging (Cosmo Plastech), window films (Cosmo Sunshield), automotive paint protection films (Cosmo PPF), and digital-first omni channel pet care (Zigly), supported by a legacy of innovation and industry leadership.
