NASSCOM CEO SUMMIT HOTEL HYATT

Kolkata, 11TH NOV,2008

Santanu Sengupta Ceo , SJW

Q & A: Will the buildings grow taller so that we

may have to lean on somebody or break our back to star –gaze

What if the buildings fall on us ? Or if you fail to climb the top floor when

there is no lift ? Will they chuck you out ? Or if you need to come down in hurry &

there is no lift what will you do ?

World is witnessing cataclysmic Changes We are witnessing a global crisis which is just

unfolding & gathering further momentum After US meltdown temporarily Halted will be

the Currency Crisis in Europe LATAM Countries already on the verge of

collapse , struggling on a lifeline Contagion Effect soon will affect Asia Pacific As Both CHINA & INDIA ‘S GROWTH story takes

a back seat for the next 8-12 months Everybody is looking to survive & belt

tightening

PM APPEALS TO US NOT TO LAY OFF & RETRENCH STAFF WE PROMISE HIM TO BE GOOD BOYS &

GO BACK , LOOK AT OUR ORDER BOOKS & SAY THANK YOU VERY MUCH , SIR

SCURRY TO LOOK FOR SAFE HAVEN WHERE THERE IS NONE

WISER AMONGST US TAKE THE RISK & YELL MOTHER INDIA & LOOK INWARD

IT IS THE DUTY OF THE KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY TO BECOME THE PALL BEARER IN TIMES OF CRISIS

WHETHER IT IS THE “ NEW “ NEW DEAL OR KEYNES FULL EMPLOYMENT THEISIS

WE HAVE TO TAKE LEADERSHIP IN THE REBULDING PROESS

IN THE GATHERING STORM OF ASHES THERE MAY BE LURING OPPORTUNITIES

Despite our continuous & consistent 6-9% GDP GROWTH We have been slipping in the Human Development Index

DESPITE OUR TELCOs adding close to Ten million subscribers becoming the most profitable in the world we have slipped in ICT ranking too.

While we are dreaming of becoming a global power our own country is burning from Singur to Kashmir, from Maharashtra to Guwahati

But World is looking up to us & China in particular

There are huge areas which goes unnoticed where we run after red herring

In the burning fields of UK & Europe young professionals are queuing up for fresh bouts of professional knowledge hunt so that when the next boom comes they get the coveted post

Only Now we find out that it is essential to have as a fundamental right to Education

Huge spending will create opportunity in Healthcare

Emulate China in carrying forward with Infrastructure spending as never before

It is also the time to look inward & see what huge opportunity is there

Education , Healthcare , Financial Inclusion agenda all are big fields for huge explosive growth which is begging more ICT attention everyday.

Somehow our ICT prowess has not been so attentive in building up our reserve as our villages suffer enormously due to lack of skill development

remain poor Lobby more for government spending in these essential

NOW so that we prepare for the next surge. Our TELCOs probably are shining example , riding this

wave too & holding steady in turmoil . CAN WE ALL TAKE A LEAF OUT OF THEIR BOOK

CHALLENGES : ACTIONS Our education policy

needs urgent changes . Where are the tools to

take it to the masses as teachers are a scarce commodity

Mobile has reached nearly 35% in ten years

But 60 % of the household today remain unbanked

Our nation ‘s healthcare is in shambles

As we brace ourselves for the net surge use PPP model to

cover all the core development areas.

Make mandatory use of ICT for Micro & Small Enterprise

Our agriculture which is not producing enough should be freed of the excessive workforce to services sector

Full & Early implementation of E Governance programme will empower our villager to more E readiness for the widening base of ICT for D for all round development in the rural areas too.

Thank You All