The Hindu Business Line : Nasscom 2005: Of punches and promises

NASSCOM 2005, the annual get-together of the software industry's apex body, threw up a surprise for the audience in the very first event: the inaugural.

Outlining the industry wish-list, Mr Jerry Rao, President, National Association of Software and Services Companies, did not hold back his punches when he said, "The IT industry has grown despite the pathetic infrastructure of the country."

Pointedly referring to the Mumbai airport, Mr Rao said, "We cannot afford to have airports in such condition." Why was this a surprise? After all, host don't say harsh truths to the guests.

And, the guests included Mr Dayanidhi Maran, Union Minister for Communication and Information Technology, and Mr Vilas Rao Deshmukh, the Maharashtra Chief Minister.

But, Mr Deshmukh, who was on the dais, threw up an equally surprising response in his address, "I share Mr Rao's view on the Mumbai airport. I assure you that both the State and the Central Governments are keen to improve conditions there."

Earlier addressing the audience, Mr Kiran Karnik, President, Nasscom, highlighting two milestones reached by the industry said, "The IT industry will cross Rs 100,000 crore in revenues this fiscal year. Its manpower strength has also touched one million."

Mr Maran said that the IT-ITES sector is estimated to grow at over 30 per cent during 2004-05, accounting for 4.1 per cent of India's GDP.

He said that a working group had been set up to examine issues of PC and Internet penetration and those of domestic software. He said that the Government was in talks with microchip manufacturers to ensure that PC costs come down.

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Nasscom 2005: Of punches and promises