WhatsApp Launches Bharat Yatra to Support and Empower Small Businesses Across India

WhatsApp today launched WhatsApp Bharat Yatra, an unprecedented pan-India effort that will enable small businesses in India to use WhatsApp for growth and engagement with customers. WhatsApp Bharat Yatra includes a mobile bus that will travel to key business hubs in Delhi-NCR and other cities, providing on-ground bespoke training sessions to local entrepreneurs. 

It will be flagged off from the capital city Delhi-NCR covering some of the busiest markets, including Laxmi Nagar, Rajouri Garden, and Nehru Place. It will then move to major business corridors in Gurugram, Noida, Agra, Lucknow, Indore, and Ahmedabad. The mobile training center will visit all the popular spots in the cities, including Sapphire Mall and Atta Market of Noida and Gurugram, so business owners can indulge in interactive demos and hands-on learning. 

The WhatsApp Bharat Yatra is more about educating the small business owner on how to use the tools of WhatsApp to enhance their operations. Training will be on practical skills like setting up a WhatsApp Business Profile, creating catalogs, and designing effective ads to improve sales and develop customer relationships. This will empower businesses with digital tools that will help them grow and reach a wider audience. 

Ravi Garg, Director of Business Messaging at Meta India said: “Small businesses are the backbone of India’s economy and can be the most critical component of India’s digital transformation if they have the right digital tools.” The WhatsApp Bharat Yatra is our effort in the direction of empowering them to navigate the digital ecosystem more efficiently. 

This is after the company had introduced several updates for small businesses on WhatsApp, such as Meta Verified for credibility, new messaging features, and AI-powered tools to enhance customer engagement. Programs such as WhatsApp Se Vyapaar have been launched previously, while strategic partnerships are made to empower small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in India. The WhatsApp Bharat Yatra is going to impact India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem in the long run by supporting its digital transformation, addressing the specific digital needs of small businesses.