Is Say Namaste India’s answer to Zoom app? Is it safe? How to use? All questions answered

Last week, the government of India had launched a new ‘Innovative Challenge’ urging startups to participate and build the country’s own video-conferencing application. It announced a prize money of Rs 1 crore for anyone who is able to come up with a secure video calling platd. Soon after the announcement several reports claimed that the Government of India has officially launched its video conferencing platform called Say Namaste. 

What is Say Namaste?

Contrary to what reports claim, Say Namaste is not an app but a video conferencing platform. Moreover, it wasn’t developed by the government of India. The platform is built by Inscripts, a Mumbai-based web application and software development firm. 

“#MyGovFactCheck of the Day: A news saying that the Government has launched a video conferencing tool ‘NAMASTE’ to take on ‘unsafe’ Zoom is FAKE! Don’t believe such misinformation! Stay Informed, Stay Safe! #IndiaFightsCorona,” a tweet from GoI clarified.

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It is an online tool that can be accessed by visiting saynamaste.in/ on your web browser. The developers have launched an iOS app but there is no update on the Android version.

How to use app?

- Go to saynamaste.in.

- You will have two options: create new meeting and join existing meeting.

- Choose the option depending upon your need. 

- Creating meeting id allows you to create a meeting ID and send it to people have to have the meeting with.

- If you have received a id, you can select join a meeting.

- This will require you to enter your name, the meeting ID and the meeting code sent by the host.

The platforms claims that it has “crossed 100,000 users and 25,000 meetings in less than 48 hours.” The platform is currently in beta. The website further state, “Lakhs of Indians are currently using NAMASTE and hence you may face some temporary connectivity issues. Thank you for your support!”