WhatsApp launches 'Bharat Yatra' to empower small businesses across India

A mobile bus under this initiative will start a tour in Delhi-NCR, visiting bustling markets, to provide on-the-ground, personalised training sessions.

Published on: Dec 10, 2024, 21:39:22 IST

By HT News Desk

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WhatsApp has launched the "WhatsApp Bharat Yatra," a first-of-its-kind nationwide initiative designed to train in person small businesses on using the platform to grow and connect with customers. A mobile bus under this initiative will start a tour in Delhi-NCR, visiting bustling markets like Laxmi Nagar, Rajouri Garden, Nehru Place, and others, to provide on-the-ground, personalised training sessions, WhatsApp said in a press release.

The mobile bus tour will cover key business hubs in Haryana's Gurugram, Uttar Pradesh's Noida, and eventually other cities like Agra, Lucknow, Indore in Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat's Ahmedabad. The key key hubs the journey will cover in Gurugram and Noida include Sapphire Mall and Atta Market

Through interactive demos, businesses will learn how to set up a WhatsApp Business Profile, create catalogs, and craft effective ads to boost sales and customer engagement, the messaging app said.

'Small businesses backbone of India's economy'

"Small businesses are the backbone of India's economy," said Ravi Garg, Director of Business Messaging at Meta India. "With the right digital tools, they can drive India's digital transformation. The WhatsApp Bharat Yatra is our way of supporting these businesses with the skills they need to thrive in the digital age."

This initiative comes on the heels of new updates for small businesses on WhatsApp, including Meta Verified for credibility, customised messaging features, and AI-powered tools for more efficient customer engagement.

WhatsApp has previously rolled out programmes like ‘WhatsApp Se Vyapaar’ and strategic partnerships to further empower India's SMBs.

By directly addressing the digital needs of small businesses, the WhatsApp Bharat Yatra aims to have a long-lasting impact on India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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