iWorld
25% of Rural Maharashtra Uses Internet Services on their Phones reveals Chrome survey
MUMBAI: Post a successful execution of the world’s largest rural survey by Chrome Data Analytics and Media, the company has revealed some game- changing numbers for FMCG brands.
Amongst other findings, the Rural Establishment Survey states that while 80% of rural Maharashtra uses mobile phones, only 20% are actually using internet services on them. The extensive survey that was spread across a period of 15 months, has also reported a number of other interesting insights that will change the way FMCG brands are targeting their user base.
When it comes to educational infrastructure, the rural institutions seem to be moving in the right direction. According to the report, 1/3rd of schools in the area have access to the internet. The report also goes into marketing and branding effectiveness through the questionnaire. For example, one of the country’s largest selling two-wheeler companies is still known by its former name, years after breaking up with its Japanese collaborator.
On speaking to Chrome DM CEO Pankaj Krishna about the impact of this study he stated that ‘The study has taken a deep dive into rural India’s consumer behavior and habits, which is a sure shot solution for FMCG brands to redirect their sales and marketing strategies.’
Further to this, the report is aimed at assisting companies to tap the untapped market. Especially since 74% of the Indian population still resides in rural areas, there is a huge opportunity for companies to scale up their sales to the next level.
Gaming
Roblox appoints Sunil Rao as India managing director to drive growth
Former AWS leader to lead creator ecosystem, partnerships and local strategy
MUMBAI: Roblox has appointed Sunil Rao as managing director for India, as the company looks to deepen its footprint in one of its fastest-growing markets.
Rao, who will join in May, will serve as the senior-most representative for Roblox in India, leading local strategy, partnerships and day-to-day operations. His mandate includes strengthening the platform’s presence, supporting the creator ecosystem and aligning India’s market needs with global priorities.
A key focus area will be nurturing India’s growing community of developers and creators, enabling local studios to leverage Roblox’s tools for scaling and monetisation. Globally, the platform’s creator community earned over $1.5 billion in 2025, underlining the economic potential of user-generated content ecosystems.
“Roblox is at the forefront of enabling a new generation of creators and games. India’s scale, creativity, and entrepreneurial energy present a massive opportunity,” said Rao. “I’m excited to build a vibrant and inclusive ecosystem that empowers developers and creators across the country. Ensuring child safety and aligning closely with India’s regulatory framework will be among my top priorities.”
Welcoming the appointment, Roblox vice president international Zhen Fang said India represents a high-potential market for the company. “Sunil brings deep expertise in building operations across diverse markets, and his passion for community-centric platforms makes him the ideal leader to drive our next chapter of growth in the country.”
Rao brings over two decades of experience across technology platforms, venture capital and developer ecosystems. He was previously part of the leadership team at Amazon Web Services, where he led strategy and corporate business development across Asia-Pacific and Japan. He also served as a partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners, working closely with startups and founders.
Earlier in his career, Rao played a key role in building developer ecosystems at Symbian, Nokia and Google, contributing to the growth of major mobile and internet platforms.
With India’s large youth population and rapidly evolving digital landscape, Roblox’s latest leadership move signals a sharper focus on long-term growth, local relevance and creator-led innovation in the market.
