MAM
Internet & Online Association sees 300% increase in membership
MUMBAI: The Internet & Online Association of India (IOAI) has announced a 300 per cent increase in membership.
IOAI was founded in January 2004, with an aim to address issues, concerns and growth related to online media, advertising, e-commerce and wireless / mobile advertising.
IOAI president Preeti Desai says, “IOAI members play a pivotal role in helping to determine today’s online advertising, ecommerce, mobile content and communications agenda – as well as shape the future of the IOAI. A growing membership means a stronger representation across all industry sectors (private and public). We welcome new industry leaders from different factions of the industry to IOAI and I have no doubt their contributions will have a lasting impact on the work we do.”
The new members include:
Primary Members — BharatMatrimony.com Pvt. Ltd, IRCTC, Mahamaza Ecomm LTDand People Interactive (I) Pvt. Limited,
Associate Members — Enpocket and NDTV Media LTD,
Individual Members — Anupama Salvi, Hari Nair, Manish Vij and Sachin Bhatia
NDTV Media LTD CEO Raj Nayak added, “We at NDTV have always pioneered content and marketing initiatives and believe in the new-age integrated marketing mantra. We are extensively using the online and mobile mediums and have accentuated our one on one relationship with our customers beyond television. We joined IOAI to be a part of an industry forum to exchange progressive ideas and tackle issues cohesively.”
Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) group general manager (IT services) Amitabh Pandey said, “We are happy to be invited to the IOAI. IRCTC is proud to have played a significant role in extending the scope of electronic commerce to items of day-to-day significance to the consumer at large in India today. We believe that there is an urgent need for a forum and industry body to help guide the principal players in the electronic commerce revolution, which has begun, and in furthering and accelerating the spread of ecommerce in India. The formation of the IOAI is a very welcome step in this direction.”
BharatMatrimony.com CEO and founder Murugavel Janakiraman said, “BharatMatrimony.com pioneered the online matrimony industry in India and abroad for the Indian Diaspora. The Internet is a very potent medium for match making market is what we were confident about even in 1997. When IOAI was formed, it was a natural choice for us to be a part of it because IOA’s agenda is the faith on which we build the foundation of our company. In that sense, we have full trust on IOA and hence we are part of it.”
People Group chairman and CEO Anupam Mittal said, “Having being in the Internet space since 1997 with leading brands such as Shaadi.com and Fropper.com, and being a major player in the wireless content place with Mauj – our wireless content and services company, it has been our endeavor to provide information and/or technology based services to inform, connect, entertain and educate people. As primary members of the IOAI we hope to work with other leading Internet and wireless players on issues concerning the growth of these industries. The IOAI initiatives help us all benefit from the collective wisdom and experience of its members, not to mention it gives us a legitimate platform for influencing legislation and policies in the favor of industries we operate in.”
Enpocket MD Sundip Aggarwal said, “Enpocket is glad to join the IOAI. Enpocket has always supported similar organisations and has chaired the Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) in the UK and has been and active member of the US chapter. We believe active involvement of members in industry initiatives like the IOAI or essential to ensure sustained growth and effective introduction of new business opportunities. We look forward to making valuable contribution to IOAI especially in are of mobile communications. Enpocket is looking forward to take leadership role in privacy and customer relationship issues to ensure a very robust mobile entertainment business in India.”
Avenues India Pvt LTD COO Anupama Salvi said, “Since I live and breathe the medium of the Internet everyday for a living, joining the Internet & Online Association, a forum whose prime agenda is the development of the Internet in India, was a natural step. I find great satisfaction in contributing to the effort to help shape the growth of this exciting medium.”
Leisure & Lifestyle Information Services co-founder and CEO Hari Nair said, “The Internet today has fast evolved to be the preferred medium of communication for the travel community whether for handling transactions, seeking information or planning a holiday. Leisure & Lifestyle Information Services takes pride in being the most comprehensive rating platform for travel enthusiasts. The exhaustive insights provided in our portal about various resorts, pubs and restaurants helps the consumer make informed choices. Organisations like IOA are instrumental in handling the issues, concerns and challenges of the online and e-commerce community, which is growing exponentially with each passing year. I am delighted to be a part of the IOA and hope that this association will ensure further facilitation of Internet usability and convenience to the users by bringing in transparency, security and a healthy online environment.”
Quasar Media Pvt LTD business head Manish Vij said, “IOAI has a lot of contribution in getting Internet industry under one platform. It gives an opportunity to discuss and share a lot of learning’s and opportunities. We at Quasar Media has used this platform to build ourselves as a strong player within the industry and drive value to our clients using researched data.”
MakeMyTrip.com co-founder and CMO Sachin Bhatia concluded, “MMT has joined the IOAI to get a better perspective of the online space in India and to contribute to help mature the industry and its stature.”
You have spent weeks researching, test driven a few options, finalised the colour and variant, and are now days away from taking delivery of your new car. It feels like the hard part is over. But there is one step that most buyers skip entirely, and it is the one that protects everything else. Understanding what PDI meaning covers and why it matters could save you from discovering a Rs 20,000 to Rs 80,000 problem after you have already signed the papers.
PDI stands for Pre-Delivery Inspection. It is a structured check that happens before your car is handed over to you. A proper PDI car service covers everything from paint quality and panel alignment to electrical systems, fluid levels and tyre pressure. Dealers are supposed to conduct this before delivery, but the depth of the check varies widely. And if the buyer does not know what to look for, problems slip through.
What Does a PDI Actually Cover?
A thorough PDI checks the car across four broad categories:
| Category | What Gets Checked | Common Issues Found |
| Exterior | Paint quality, panel gaps, glass, lights, tyres | Paint chips, uneven panel alignment, scratched glass |
| Interior | Seat upholstery, dashboard, AC, infotainment, switches | Loose trims, non-functional buttons, squeaks and rattles |
| Mechanical | Engine bay, fluids, battery, brakes, steering | Low fluid levels, minor leaks, battery not fully charged |
| Electrical | All lights, windows, central locking, sensors | Malfunctioning sensors, flickering displays, USB ports |
Each of these categories can hide issues that are minor at delivery but expensive if left unaddressed. A small paint chip near a door edge, for example, can lead to rust in a humid city like Mumbai or Chennai within 12 to 18 months.
What It Can Cost You to Skip the PDI
Here is a realistic look at what buyers have discovered after delivery that a proper PDI would have caught before:
• Paint defects requiring respraying: Rs 8,000 to Rs 25,000 depending on the panel
• Misaligned panels or doors that need workshop adjustment: Rs 3,000 to Rs 8,000
• Non-functional infotainment unit needing replacement: Rs 15,000 to Rs 40,000
• Scratched windshield that needs full replacement: Rs 6,000 to Rs 18,000
• AC not cooling properly due to low refrigerant: Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000
• Tyre with a slow puncture from storage damage: Rs 3,000 to Rs 6,000
The total exposure from a single missed PDI can range from Rs 5,000 for minor issues to Rs 80,000 or more if multiple problems are found post-delivery. More importantly, proving that a defect existed before delivery becomes significantly harder once you have taken the keys.
Why Dealer PDIs Are Not Always Enough
Most dealerships do conduct a pre-delivery check on their own, but the process is not always as rigorous as it should be. There are a few reasons for this:
High Delivery Volumes
During festive season or at the end of a financial year, dealerships handle a surge in deliveries. When a service team is processing 15 to 20 cars a day, the depth of each check inevitably suffers.
Incentive Misalignment
Dealership staff are often incentivised on delivery speed and customer satisfaction scores. Finding a defect and sending a car back for rework delays delivery and affects scores. The incentive to look harder is not always present.
Buyer Unawareness
Most buyers arrive at delivery excited and in a hurry to leave. Without knowing what to look for, they miss things that a trained eye would catch immediately. Dealers know this, and the pressure to be thorough is lower when buyers are not asking questions.
What You Should Check Yourself at Delivery
Even if the dealer has completed their PDI, spend 20 to 30 minutes doing your own check at delivery. Here is a quick reference:
Check How to Do It Time Required Walk around in daylight Check all panels for scratches, chips and dents 5 minutes Open every door Check seals, check for rattles, test all windows 3 minutes Check interior thoroughly Test every button, switch and screen 5 minutes Start the car Look for warning lights, check AC, check all lights 5 minutes Check the boot Look for spare tyre, tools, jack and damage 2 minutes Inspect tyres Check pressure and look for sidewall damage 3 minutes
The Bottom Line
A PDI is not a formality. It is the last line of defence between you and a problem that the manufacturer or dealer should have fixed before you paid for the car.
Take the time to understand what the check involves, ask your dealer for confirmation that it has been completed, and do your own walkthrough at delivery. Twenty minutes of attention at this stage can save you weeks of workshop visits and tens of thousands of rupees down the line.
