The Hindu Business Line : First Indian on ICANN board

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has possibly got its first Indian on its board of directors, since its formation in 1998.

Mr R. Ramaraj, formerly CEO of Sify Ltd and currently mentor for early-stage technology companies, is now a Director on ICANN board.

ICANN is responsible for global coordination of the Internet's system of unique identifiers — domain names such as .org, .museum and country codes such as .IN. Computers use these identifiers to reach each other over the Internet. At its Web site www.icann.org, it says, "Careful management of these resources is vital to the Internet's operation, so ICANN's global stakeholders meet regularly to develop policies that ensure the Internet's ongoing security and stability."

An ICANN nominating committee selects candidates from profiles sent in as nominations. Mr Ramaraj's tenure begins this year and ends in 2009. The other two members selected this year are Mr Roberto Gaetano from Italy and Mr Steven Goldstein from the US. The board has fifteen voting members, currently chaired by Dr Vinton Cerf, popularly known as the `Father of Internet' for his role in the creation of technologies used to transfer data across the Internet.

Speaking to Business Line, Mr Ramaraj said, "I was keen to be a part of this because of the increasing relevance of the developing world in the Internet space. In terms of security and stability, India and the developing world have a role to play, especially with increasing numbers of people from this part of the world getting onto the Net. The primary focus would be on being more inclusive."

Asked if he was the first Indian to make it to the board, Mr Ramaraj said, "Yes. I believe I may be the first." A list of current and former directors at the ICANN Web site also reveals no Indian names.

The first board meeting is in Sao Paulo, the coming weekend. There would be a process of induction for the new members at this meeting, Mr Ramaraj said.

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First Indian on ICANN board