The Hindu Business Line : `More job opportunities in PC manufacturing'

THE Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of HCL Infosystems, Mr Ajai Chowdhry, has stated that the job opportunities are more in the PC manufacturing space than in the services sector.

In an informal chat with this correspondent on the sidelines of an interaction with the CII members recently, Mr Chowdhry said that as a member of the IT Task Force, he had emphasised the need for focussing on the manufacturing (hardware) sector.

He added that India had lost its way on the hardware front, while topping in servicing.

"We were proceeding along the right lines until about 4 or 5 years ago. Then we lost our way," he said, and pointed out that no decision had been taken to drive the country in the hardware space.

To a query on how HCL managed to survive the onslaught from the assembled PC segment, Mr Chowdhry conceded that it had not been easy.

"But our endeavour was in getting the best PC — qualitywise and with support services. Pricing was another issue ."

The issue was resolved after the Government intervened and slashed the excise duty on PCs in January 2004. "Branded PCs are no longer costlier than the assembled ones," he added.

When asked if HCL Infosystems was into handheld devices as well, he said, "Yes, but this is a very nascent market in India."

Mr Chowdhry, however, said that he envisaged the emergence of a huge market with the integration of the phone, PC and the TV.

"We have already launched some products. The remote-controlled PC, for instance, can be used as a VCR or a DVD. HCL Infosystems has taken the lead in launching such PCs with Microsoft Media Centre," he said.

He explained that the media centre would enable the viewer to look at the replay of a scene as for instance exciting moments in a cricket match.

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