The Hindu Business Line : Excellence must become an obsession: Premji

SHARING his vision for the educated youth of the country, Mr Azim Premji, Chairman of Wipro Corporation, said here today that "excellence must become an obsession".

Addressing a large gathering of students from technical and management streams in various engineering and management colleges in and around Kolkata at an interactive session organized by CII, eastern region, on the subject of `Shaping your destiny', Mr Premji urged the youth to be open to change, "but not compromise on values."

Pointing out that values actually define a person rather than achievements, he advised the young to avoid shortcuts, and have faith in one's own ideas. Urging the youth to respect their peers, he said: "We in Wipro may be still old fashioned, but we believe in core values, loyalty to a company etc."

Explaining the campus recruitment concept of Wipro, whose teams visit as many as 160 campuses throughout the country to pick some 3,000-4,000 graduating students in various streams, including law graduates, he said: "You need to know what you are good at, and your strengths alone will give you the energy to correct your mistakes." Only the test of fire creates the finest steel, he told the students.

Stressing on self-esteem, he said one must earn one's awards as this was the most satisfying." After all, a rupee earned is far more valuable than Rs 5 found."