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How do you see Nandan Nilekani's decision of leaving Infosys and joining government?

Nandan Nilekani is the face of the rise of India as a tech powerhouse. As co-founder of Infosys, he has helped transform the global software industry. In a forward to Nilekani's recently published book, "Imagining India: The Idea of a Renewed Nation," New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman writes, "Silicon Valley has Steve — as in Jobs. Seattle has Bill — as in Gates ... And Bangalore has Nandan — as in Nilekani." Bangalore-based Infosys was created by a handful of smart engineers with just $250. Its business remains strong despite the global recession. The company, which last year reported annual sales of $4.18 billion, has designed part of the wing of the Airbus A380 super-jumbo, written code for companies such as Apple and Cisco Systems, and even creates economic reports for U.S. investment banks. The 53-year-old executive, who is co-chairman of the Infosys board, swung through Silicon Valley recently. He will leave that position next month when he becomes chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI)., which is similar to the U.S. Social Security Administration. According to me, this is a sign of the discussion that we often have in our coffee room and drawing room that good people should come forward and become the part of system instead of accusing system. Even though some of the literate and knowledgeable people have reached parliament through upper and lower house but that number is extremely insufficient. In such situation, we need capable to come forward and become the part of system to reform the system. We need people who have knowledge and experience not only in management but in technology can really bring reform in the system. People like Nandan Nilekani are not hungry for red light vehicle thus accepting appointment as chairman of UIDAI, is definitely for serving the nation. Leaving Infosys the organization that had built from the scratch with his hard work would not have been a easy decision for him. At this time, I can only remember of another appointment of Indian government when Indian Government appointed Sam Pitroda in 1984 as the chair person of newly formed department C-DOT. Not to forget, he started PCO system in India that brought telephone charges in India to a affordable price. There must me more such appointments but I am sure not many, that I can mention. I congratulation, Mr. Nandan Nilenkani on his decision to sacrifice his corporate life and business and coming to public life to serve the Nation. What is your view? Do you think it is right decision of the government to invite Mr. Nilenkani to join the government? And do you think it is right decision of Mr. Nelenkani to leave InfoSys and join the government? Do you think he will bring some change?

Public Comments

1. Myth will be exploded; there are certain units of corporate India which are rising by sheer professionalism, hard work and no-kneel-down policy before government, of which already one has been demeritted; such corporate excellence is due to NDA policies. But, a slave family oriented UPA/congress wants to destroy such an upright and viable corporate houses like Infosys, because of which conspiracy Narayanamurthy earlier exited and now Nilekani is being poisoned by government HAND; UPA/congress wants to destroy excellence in corporate India and hence it is finding ways and means to destroy them, these ways. Further, UIDAI is coming under Planning Commission, which will not come under Parliament scrutiny, being an extra-constitutional body there by soon becoming unconstitutional body; this way, UPA/congress has lot of extra-constitutional bodies turning into unconstitutional bodies to dupe the entire nation in the name of democracy.
2. People from all spheres of life should come to politics. Point here should be active role in policy making decisions in politics. The concept of upper house in parliamentary democracy was exactly this one. The working people of high caliber in society who otherwise can not win elections due to lack of spare time for direct link with public and other reasons were intended to be nominated. Mr. Nilenkani is welcome. Bring some change? Hopefully in his field. The overall changes are brought by leaders who have wide perspective of thought and not specialist in a particular field. Such a leader is the master of combination and permutations of different aspects of public life and such a person is a politician in a true sense. If such a person will have to lead the nation, he will chose a good and versatile cabinet not based on community and cast but on vision. Today the word politician has lost its grace in Indian perspective but it should be noted that these so called politicians are nothing more than professionals who are in political life only for earning. We see they are card players (gamblers). Whereas politics and presence in public life should be a matter of commitment.
3. Actually this is the third such appointment that must be hailed. Sam Pitroda, Russy Modi and Now Nandan Nilekani. Each one of them are pioneers in there own field. I am sure if people like these come forward and participate in public like, the India will change. These people will bring in reforms and revolution in society. Actually I wanted to include few more, like Dr. Manmohan Singh, Sri Yashwant Sinha, Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam, but I did not for my own view.