Indian IT business --- A Perspective.

Nowadays everywhere in the country a statement is often made that Indian IT business is fast enlarging the globe. This is due to the fact that the growth in this sector has surpassed all the records in the country. Not only this, the growth in this sector is comparable with fastest growing economy of any country in the world.

The growth of the economy is supported by IT software and services which inter-alia includes System Integration, IT Consulting, Application Management, Infrastructure Management Services, Software testing, Service-oriented architecture and Web services.

This has resulted into outsourcing in all the services sectors by the developed country in India. It has been estimated by Nasscom, that the revenues amounting to US$ 39.6 billion were earned by Indian IT-ITeS industry in 2006-07. Thus, in last financial year, the growth in this sector has increased by 30.7 per cent against a projected growth of 27 per cent. The growth rate in software as well as services export has been sustained over the years.

There is sufficient growth in domestic sector as well. This has resulted in the growth of Indian IT industry at a rate well ahead of the global industry, which is growing at about 10 per cent a year. As such the big names of the industry i.e. TCS, INFOSYS and WIPRO have maintained their position as top IT exporters. This has resulted in increase of the wealth of all the shareholders. Number of persons has become millioners just because a few shares were purchased by them in the initial days of these companies. This has also resulted in creation of number of jobs both in IT industry and other industries.

According to a study, the investment of amount equivalent to one rupee in the IT/ITES sector on indigenous goods/services adds amount equivalent to two rupee in the economy. This has prompted top Indian companies to earmark funds for incorporating and development of IT and It related services. Even all major Public sector companies have started making sufficient expenditure on this account. Contrary to popular view of abolition of jobs due to automation, study shows that for every job created in this sector, four to five jobs are created in the other areas. It is expected that this industry, if kept the pace of growth, shall create approximately 12 to 15 million additional jobs by 2010.

As the opportunities are being created not only by top notched companies but also by small and medium enterprises. The software development has become a short of small scale /tiny scale industry in which every member of the family gets involved. This is the reason that this industry has become one of the largest employers in a small period of time. To keep the pace of growth, it is necessary to maintain the quality of services being provided. This will necessitate identification of the areas where improvement can be done. After identification sufficient funds are to be earmarked for research and development in such areas. Besides the country is to be showcased as the best destination for carrying out the R&D activities.

Some of the largest IT companies have already seen this potential and have invested for creating global R&D centre for them in India. All the above factors put together have given big hopes to private equity players. They are investing in the country generously. This type of development has thrown a bog challenge to the country in terms of requirement of inputs. The major input is in the form of continuous availability of proper manpower both in the field of software and hardware. and their retention in the country.

It is difficult to have latest indigenous hardware. The stress is to be laid on developing the in-house hardware and their maintainability. The software professionals are to be strengthened in skill. The conducive atmosphere to software professional in the country is to be developed. While we are ready to meet the challenge, we have to be careful about the threats that may arise because of the envy by other countries. For this sufficient education for development of hardware industry is to be imparted, besides creating conducive environment for retaining Software professionals in the Country.

Importance of 2nd October

Since childhood, I have enjoyed three national holidays namely 15th August, 26th January and 2nd October. National holiday on 15 August is on account of Independence Day as on this date in 1947 we became free from British Rule. National holiday on 26 January is on account of Republic Day as on this date in 1950 the constitution handing over the power to people was adopted. 2nd October was initially declared as a national Holiday on account of the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi the father of our nation.

Later on this was found that our second elected Prime Minister Shri Lal Bahdur Shastri was also born on the same date. Of late, even 14th April is declared National Holiday every year on ad-hoc basis. This is declared on account of the birthday of Dr.B.R.Ambedkar who is considered as the author of our constitution.

I always used to wonder why the birth dates of any leader should be declared as a holiday. More so in line with the people of my generation I was little knowing about Mahatma Gandhi or Shastri or Ambedkar. Curiosity to learn about Mahatma Gandhi was generated after hearing the word Gandhigiri from a popular Hindi film.

In the fist instant I thought this is a code word being used by the gangsters. On watching the film, I found that actually the word has been used for a lifestyle preached by Mahatma Gandhi.

This year 2nd October is being celebrated at United Nation as INTERNATIONAL WORLD NON-VILANCE DAY. Mrs. Sonia Gandhi the national president of present day congress shall address united Nation on this day. All this made me more curious to find out more about Mahatma Gandhi depicted as an old man in the film.

Actual name of Mahatma Gandhi is Mohandas Karm Chand Gandhi. He was born in 1869 into the family of the Dewan of Porbander. His early education was mostly in English. His father has died when he was still in his teens. Due to this, he was handed over the charge of his father i.e. Prime-Minister of Porbander state. However, due to British takeover of the state, he had no other alternative but to pursue higher education.

For this, on advice from a family friend he moved to study law at London. He has taken a vow not to touch meat, wine and woman. This was followed by him in letter and spirit throughout the life which had a greater influence in shaping his character. He became a barrister after completing his education and being admitted in bar at London.

However due to the death of his mother, he came back to and started practice in which he failed. He soon left for South Africa which was a turning point in his life. Here on account of various circumstances in conjunction with his experiences in childhood and influence of his mother gave birth to the lifestyle what was termed as Gandhi an Politics. Due to the discrimination on the basis of color and race resulting in horrible condition to indigenous people and Indians, he joined active politics.

Initially, he was only writing letters articles in the news paper, organizing lectures and debates etc. His activities were appreciated by all the parties in India as well as South Africa. He got warm reception during his tour to India. Later in South Africa he started non violent protests against various discriminating laws. The movement had wonderful impact as it was a total new method of opposition the weapon against which was not known to the oppressing class.

The unique way of protesting by fast unto death not picking weapon speaking the truth, cooperation and non cooperation as per the need of time made the British and other rulers to think in a different direction. He used the same weapon in fighting independence in the country after return to India. This weapon of truth and non-cooperation was also used to spread the message of social upliftment and brotherhood. The weapon was as well used for communal harmony in the country. This had wonderful impact on British who left the country for local rule. People of our generation can not imagine the period of slavery. The society can fully transform in case the message of Gandhi is spread even if as Gandhigiri.

As the amusement about celebrating the birth anniversary is also clarified, I pay my homage to Mahatma Gandhi on his 138th Birth anniversary with the above words.