DITAA 2026: Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak used the stage at the Digit India’s Top Appliance Awards (DITAA) 2026 to share what he believes consumers really want from home appliances. Speaking at the event, Pathak praised Digit magazine for helping people make better buying decisions in a market filled with choices. He said home appliances have become a part of everyday life across India, from big cities to small towns and villages. However, he added that buying the right product is still not easy. Pathak also made it clear that he was speaking as a “representative of the customers,” not as a Minister. He urged manufacturers to develop products that are more durable, practical and better suited to users’ needs.
Pathak said appliances such as ACs, televisions, washing machines and ovens are no longer limited to wealthy families. According to him, these products have reached middle-class and even small households across the country. He noted that the needs of consumers are now similar in both rural and urban India.
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Using refrigerators as an example, Pathak said appliances have improved significantly over the years. Modern refrigerators now come with separate sections for vegetables, water, food and the freezer, making them more convenient to use. However, he said brands should now focus on durability instead of frequent upgrades.
“A poor man buys a refrigerator once, a middle-class man buys it once, so it should last at least 20 years,” he said. He also suggested that manufacturers should offer buyback or upgrade programmes.
Pathak also suggested improvements for ACs. He asked companies to find ways to stop water leakage from ACs, saying it causes inconvenience for customers and can even lead to mosquito breeding.
Pathak praised Digit magazine for helping consumers understand the quality of home appliances and make informed buying decisions. He also urged manufacturers to pay more attention to the everyday challenges faced by users, saying that addressing these problems would benefit both customers and brands. “If you resolve the hardships of the customers, your sales will also increase,” he said.