The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : “Information Technology to play a big part in transforming India”

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Saturday, Jul 04, 2009
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

“Information Technology to play a big part in transforming India”

Special Correspondent

Government’s use of IT will set the trend: S. Mahalingam

India is not solely dependent on exports nor is it an export-led economy
The rural markets are strong and there is need for extensive upgradation of infrastructure

CHENNAI: Creation of new initiatives by the Centre such as Unique Identification Authority of India will foster innovation within the country and give a big boost to the development of IT eco-system in India, said S. Mahalingam, CFO and executive director, Tata Consultancy Services on Friday.

“We have now come to a stage where we expect IT to play a big part in transforming India. Nandan M. Nilekani, the co-chairman of the Board of Directors of Infosys Technologies, has been appointed to chair the new joint venture in which over Rs.1,50,000 crore will be spent,” he said while delivering the inaugural address at a student seminar on ‘Newer technologies in IT and career opportunities’ organised by the Computer Society of India, Chennai Chapter and Dr. MGR Educational and Research Institute University.

Mentioning that TCS has been working on the area of providing linkages to citizens with businesses and government departments, he said “we would like to have a digital society in India…Also, we need to provide the benefits of banking and insurance system to consumer wherever they are and enable them to come to the mainstream of economic activity. Self-Help Groups have to be supported with accounting system and other operations.” Citing the current global economic situation, he said that it was not promising and the recovery process would not begin for another 12 months. This would result in Indian IT firms going slow on the recruitment drive. However, government’s use of IT would set the trend and create enabling conditions for the use of IT by private sectors.

India is not solely dependent on exports nor is it an export-led economy. The domestic demand could be met by filling the gap arising out of decline in global trade. The rural markets are strong in India. There was need for extensive upgradation of infrastructure. All this would lead to growth for Indian businesses and consumers and that could drive demand for IT, he said.

In his keynote address, IT Secretary P.W.C. Davidar said that IT industry was correcting itself and jobs were available for everyone, provided the candidates had the adequate qualifications. He elaborated various IT initiatives initiated by the State.

G.C. Kothandan, executive director, Dr. MGR University called for enactment of stricter law and deterrent punishment to prevent cyber crimes. H.R. Mohan, CSI chairman, Division II, said that seminar was organised to brief the students about the emerging trends as well as the applications and its direct influence on the IT sector.

S. Ramasamy, CSI Chennai, chairman welcomed the gathering and said that they over 1,000 members and 3,000 student members.

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