Aiming to replace TikTok, Indian app 'Panga' gains over one lakh active users

Centered around music, the home-grown social-media app 'Panga' is ready to fill the void created in India as a result of TikTok's recent ban. India had banned popular video-sharing platforms TikTok and 58 other Chinese mobile apps in the country citing security reasons last week.

However, India is already bringing in swadeshi replacements for the Chinese app. Earlier this week, it was reported that TikTok's Indian alternative 'Chingari' has reportedly crossed 10 million downloads on Google Play Store.

Now another Indian app, 'Panga', is here, which, within a week of its launch, has gained over 100,000 active users.

It is about time for India to have its own social network, as the vast majority of Indian users interact only with other users within the country.

On June 30, the Indian government banned TikTok, a popular short video-sharing platform, and 58 other Chinese mobile apps in the country citing security reasons. A day after, the applications were removed from the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store in India.

All 59 apps with Chinese links that were listed by the Centre in its ban order were removed from the online app stores, including TikTok, Helo, Likee, CamScanner, Mi Video Call - Xiaomi, Vigo Video as well as e-commerce platforms like Club Factory and Shein and games like Clash of Kings.

In an order issued under section 69A of the Information Technology Act read with the relevant provisions of the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking of Access of Information by Public) Rules 2009, the Ministry of Information Technology said it has decided to block 59 apps in view of the emergent nature of threats.

These apps are "prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defense of India, the security of the state and public order," the government said in its order.

Panga`s founders believe it makes no sense to share valuable user data with a foreign country, especially one with contentious relationships. Not only is Panga designed and developed in India, but all the data is hosted within the country's local servers.

Although other Indian-made social networks are also available, Panga's unique features include a distinctive collection of filters and the latest facing-recognition and augmented reality technology. With these filters, some amusing distortions can be created.

Panga also offers its users an opportunity to make money through in-app competitions. One feature that stands out is "Contests", where Panga takes gamification to new heights.

Daily contests are launched on various hashtags and songs, offering cash prizes up to Rs 1 lakh. In doing so, Panga provides a direct monetization opportunity for content creators.

The company is planning to pay-out over Rs 1 crore in contest awards within the first month.

The other popular alternative, 'Chingari', has also reached three million downloads in 10 days, and 500,000 downloads in 72 hours.

The creators who were previously sharing their content on Tik Tok are now joining the Indian apps.

TikTok had over 200 million users in India, as it had become especially popular in suburban India launching several people into overnight online fame. They had even carefully curated a community surrounding it and catered to demands relating to personalities.