The Hindu Business Line : Passion turns hitech business

Operating from the congested Athipatan Street, a by-lane off the Ritchie Street, the city's electronic bazaar, Mr Bhandari's small cabin is full of gadgets, including security products.

"These imported products cannot be seen anywhere else in the country," says Mr Bhandari, who runs an exclusive technology gadget shop, Tech Zone, at Chennai's largest shopping mall, Spencer Plaza.

Indians should have access to the latest technology gadgets that are available around the world.

This is the aim of this concept store, he says.

The Bhandari group, which has been in the field of electronics for the last 35 years, backs Tech Zone, according to him.

"I sell technology gadgets not just to make money, but out of passion," he said.

The shop has various gadgets, including a super slim digital camera that is slightly thicker than a visiting card, and wireless camera — both monitor and camera can be placed anywhere in a room without wires connecting them.

The cost of the products in the shop ranges from Rs 100 to Rs 22,000, he says.

According to Mr Bhandari, the shop offers one-to-one replacement for all products, which are imported from various countries, including Taiwan, Hong Kong, Italy and the Czech Republic (for security products).

"The products are all imported by paying customs duty," he said.

Tech Zone, which has a similar shop in Coimbatore, has agents in respective countries, he said.

Mr Bhandari has moved away from just selling gadgets.

He also offers content for various mobile operators, including Aircel, Hutch and Airtel, and various Internet sites like Yahoo!

Tech Zone provides short messaging service-based content such as ring tones, mono tones, operator logos, picture messages, wall papers, poly tones, true tones, music messaging, ring back tones, jokes, menu services and video trailers.

Last week, Aircel, the cellular company that operates in the Chennai and Tamil Nadu circles, launched an SMS-based facility where its subscribers can get acupressure tips for various ailments.

Called `MobiHealth,' the service provides tips for various ailments ranging from the common cold to obesity.

Aircel subscribers need to key in `health' followed by the ailment for which they require acupressure relief and send the message to 6060.

The message comes to Tech Zone, which provides the tips for over 50 different ailments.

This facility is exclusive for Aircel till March, he said.

Similarly, if a subscriber seeks a movie-based trailer, the message comes to Tech Zone, which provides the content. Tech Zone receives about 35 lakh SMS-based requests a month, he said.

According to Mr Bhandari, Tech Zone is planning to launch its 6060 service in Sri Lanka this month, and is also planning to enter the Western zone in India.

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