Anand Mahindra, the chairman of Mahindra Group and a prominent voice on social media, has once again sparked a national conversation—this time with a bold call to action. Known for sharing motivational content and celebrating innovation, Mahindra's latest post on X (formerly Twitter) carried a clear message: India must create a city that rivals China’s tech and manufacturing powerhouse, Shenzhen.
In his post, Mahindra stated, “It’s time for a Shenzhen equivalent city in India…,” underlining the urgency for India to match China’s rapid urban and industrial development.
Internet reacts to Anand Mahindra's comment
Following Anand Mahindra’s call for a Shenzhen-style city in India, social media lit up with diverse opinions and suggestions from users across the country.
One user pointed to Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh as a potential candidate. They highlighted the coastal town’s strategic location on the east coast, proximity to Amaravati, and a vast, eager workforce transitioning from agriculture to other industries—parallels they believe mirror Shenzhen’s own growth journey. Others weighed in on the broader policy implications. Some argued that such a transformation is only possible if governments move away from populist freebies and instead focus on providing essential support like food, shelter, and healthcare, while encouraging people to upgrade their skills through accessible opportunities.
Another suggestion put Pune in the spotlight. With its booming IT ecosystem in Hinjewadi, a skilled talent base, and decent infrastructure, one user said the city could emerge as a leading tech-manufacturing hub—provided bureaucratic hurdles and red tape are addressed through smarter urban planning and streamlined policies. Meanwhile, a more skeptical voice questioned whether India’s workforce was ready for such a leap, suggesting that inconsistent skill levels and work ethic might make Mahindra’s vision overly optimistic. Still, the idea has clearly ignited debate and reflection on what it would take to build India’s own version of Shenzhen.
But why particularly Shenzhen?
Shenzhen in China has emerged as one of China's most prominent export powerhouses, especially in the electronics sector. Often dubbed “China’s Silicon Valley,” the city has gained global recognition for its thriving tech ecosystem and advanced manufacturing capabilities.
Its rapid rise is largely credited to its proximity to Hong Kong and its designation as a special economic zone, which opened the door for foreign investment and innovation-driven growth. Today, Shenzhen serves as headquarters for several of China’s top technology firms, including telecom giant Huawei and electric vehicle manufacturer BYD,
Once a small fishing village, Shenzhen’s fortunes changed in 1980 when it was designated China’s first special economic zone. Its proximity to Hong Kong made it an ideal manufacturing base, creating the “front shop, back factory” model that drove massive foreign investment and rapid industrialization.
By the mid-2000s, manufacturing accounted for over half the city’s GDP, according to theasset.com. But Shenzhen didn’t stop there. In 2006, the Chinese government prioritized high-tech development and local innovation, spurring a surge in R&D spending.
Today, Shenzhen is a $500 billion economy, powered largely by high-tech exports, said the report. Over 65% of its 17.8 million residents are migrants, drawn by its inclusive, innovation-driven culture. Top universities like Peking and Tsinghua have set up local campuses, and many graduates stay to work.
India's electronics export
India is rapidly emerging as a global manufacturing hub, with electronics manufacturing value addition rising from 30% to 70%, and projected to reach 90% by FY27, according to an Axis Capital report. Under a new components policy, the country aims to boost value addition from the current 15-16% to 40-50%. Mobile phone exports have surged 77 times in the last decade. Imports of fully built air conditioners (CBUs) have dropped sharply—from 35% in FY19 to just 5% in FY25—as key components like compressors and copper tubes are now being made domestically. In FY24, 8.5 million RAC compressors were imported, but full local production is expected within 2-3 years. Demand for Printed Circuit Board Assemblies (PCBA) has grown due to higher import duties. Until 2016, India imported more electronics than it produced. Now, domestic production is about 24% higher than imports, thanks to the "Make in India" initiative.
In his post, Mahindra stated, “It’s time for a Shenzhen equivalent city in India…,” underlining the urgency for India to match China’s rapid urban and industrial development.
It’s time for a Shenzhen equivalent city in India….
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) April 12, 2025
Internet reacts to Anand Mahindra's comment
Following Anand Mahindra’s call for a Shenzhen-style city in India, social media lit up with diverse opinions and suggestions from users across the country.
One user pointed to Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh as a potential candidate. They highlighted the coastal town’s strategic location on the east coast, proximity to Amaravati, and a vast, eager workforce transitioning from agriculture to other industries—parallels they believe mirror Shenzhen’s own growth journey. Others weighed in on the broader policy implications. Some argued that such a transformation is only possible if governments move away from populist freebies and instead focus on providing essential support like food, shelter, and healthcare, while encouraging people to upgrade their skills through accessible opportunities.
Another suggestion put Pune in the spotlight. With its booming IT ecosystem in Hinjewadi, a skilled talent base, and decent infrastructure, one user said the city could emerge as a leading tech-manufacturing hub—provided bureaucratic hurdles and red tape are addressed through smarter urban planning and streamlined policies. Meanwhile, a more skeptical voice questioned whether India’s workforce was ready for such a leap, suggesting that inconsistent skill levels and work ethic might make Mahindra’s vision overly optimistic. Still, the idea has clearly ignited debate and reflection on what it would take to build India’s own version of Shenzhen.
But why particularly Shenzhen?
Shenzhen in China has emerged as one of China's most prominent export powerhouses, especially in the electronics sector. Often dubbed “China’s Silicon Valley,” the city has gained global recognition for its thriving tech ecosystem and advanced manufacturing capabilities.
Its rapid rise is largely credited to its proximity to Hong Kong and its designation as a special economic zone, which opened the door for foreign investment and innovation-driven growth. Today, Shenzhen serves as headquarters for several of China’s top technology firms, including telecom giant Huawei and electric vehicle manufacturer BYD,
Once a small fishing village, Shenzhen’s fortunes changed in 1980 when it was designated China’s first special economic zone. Its proximity to Hong Kong made it an ideal manufacturing base, creating the “front shop, back factory” model that drove massive foreign investment and rapid industrialization.
By the mid-2000s, manufacturing accounted for over half the city’s GDP, according to theasset.com. But Shenzhen didn’t stop there. In 2006, the Chinese government prioritized high-tech development and local innovation, spurring a surge in R&D spending.
Today, Shenzhen is a $500 billion economy, powered largely by high-tech exports, said the report. Over 65% of its 17.8 million residents are migrants, drawn by its inclusive, innovation-driven culture. Top universities like Peking and Tsinghua have set up local campuses, and many graduates stay to work.
India's electronics export
India is rapidly emerging as a global manufacturing hub, with electronics manufacturing value addition rising from 30% to 70%, and projected to reach 90% by FY27, according to an Axis Capital report. Under a new components policy, the country aims to boost value addition from the current 15-16% to 40-50%. Mobile phone exports have surged 77 times in the last decade. Imports of fully built air conditioners (CBUs) have dropped sharply—from 35% in FY19 to just 5% in FY25—as key components like compressors and copper tubes are now being made domestically. In FY24, 8.5 million RAC compressors were imported, but full local production is expected within 2-3 years. Demand for Printed Circuit Board Assemblies (PCBA) has grown due to higher import duties. Until 2016, India imported more electronics than it produced. Now, domestic production is about 24% higher than imports, thanks to the "Make in India" initiative.
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