OTP Please

Online Buyers, Sellers and Gig Workers in South Asia | Inside the Platform Economy | E-Commerce & Tech Life in India

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A great shift is underway in how we buy, eat, move, work and sell owing to technological intervention. Tech platforms—whether a Swiggy, Amazon or Uber in India, a Foodpanda in Pakistan or a Pathao in Bangladesh or Nepal—have eased the pressures of modern life. They have freed up our time, provided jobs to grateful millions and delivered guilty pleasures and last-minute necessities to online buyers.

But behind the dazzle of the digital, much is opaque. Gig workers live a precarious life while internet retailers cope with the oppressive rules of global behemoths. Consumers wonder if there are are consequences to instant gratification and the extreme ease of living.

OTP Please delves into the wondrous new world of electronic commerce by connecting diverse stories and perspectives gathered across South Asia, from Peshawar to Patna and Colombo to Kathmandu. It explores the emotional dynamics between the different actors on this stage, the workings of tech companies and the implications for policy. Deeply researched and breezily narrated, it is essential reading to understand this extraordinary digital age that we inhabit.

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PRAISE FOR OTP PLEASE
An entertaining, insightful and nuanced read that ties together so many different stories! — R. MADHAVAN

Compels us to pause and ask essential questions about our own choices – THE HINDU
The author delivers a deeply empathetic, multidimensional view of the shifting landscape by arranging the anecdotes around nine emotions- a new age navarasa of an OTP driven generation – FINANCIAL EXPRESS
The author brings in engaging stories from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal to give us a glimpse of hose our neighbours use app based services – BUSINESS STANDARD

Vasudevan ensures that her tone is neutral and while laying out all the facts she leaves it to the reader to cast judgement – OPEN MAGAZINE
Informative yet intimate, anecdotal yet balanced, Vasudevan’s reportage illuminates the digital age we inhabit – DECCAN HERALD
Rigorously reported, empathetically told and disturbingly familiar, this book will make you pause before your next ‘Order Now’ – FRONTLINE MAGAZINE

Vandana is a gifted thinker and writer. She feels deeply, puts a human face on every issue and amazes me with how much work she has put into the book – SUBROTO BAGCHI
A fascinating book that reflects the pervasive influence of technology on our attitudes and behaviours… compelling us to think about how we consume, how sustainable the business models that encourage higher levels of convenience are and what needs to be addressed — VINITA BALI