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, which is similar to the U.S. Social Security Administration.
In an interview with the Mercury News, Nilekani talked about the role his company plays in India, the global economic crisis and how the valley in his view is weathering the downturn. Here is an edited version of the discussion.
Q What’s it like being back in the valley in the midst of the global recession?
A I think the valley has enormous capacity to reinvent itself. I’ve been coming to Silicon Valley for the last 25, 30 years and I’ve seen so many waves of innovation — chips, workstations, software, Internet, biotech, life sciences and clean-tech. It’s done that over and over again because the fundamental engine of growth here is innovation. That’s the greatest thing about the valley, and I’m sure that will happen again. Obviously, we are passing through a global economic crisis that is unprecedented. It’s a difficult world right now. But I believe this is the time to promote more innovation and more enterprise. That’s the only way new value can get created. Never has the valley been so important.
Q As a result of the crisis, has the United States lost some of its economic mojo on the global stage?
A I have enormous confidence in America. It’s a fantastic country. Its spirit of regeneration, its capacity to innovate, its ability to get up and dust off its knees and move on — it’s an amazing country. And look at the election of President Obama. It’s a great signal to the world of how a democracy can rejuvenate itself, let a person from ”outside” win an election. What kind of country has this kind of openness in its politics? I’m a great believer in America. There is this can-do spirit. —‰’If this doesn’t fix (the economy), we’ll try something else.’ Look at the speed at which they move in this country.”
Q The downturn has stirred talk of protectionism in Washington. The federal stimulus law, for example, includes provisions making it difficult for financial companies receiving money from the Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP, to hire H-1B workers.
A (H-1B workers) are a very small fraction of the people in the work force. Many (of Silicon Valley’s successful entrepreneurs) came here years back on similar visas and now they are co-founders of companies. One of the huge strengths of the Untied States is the fact it has attracted the best and the brightest. That has provided some of the dynamism here.
Q Describe the role Infosys has played in the growth of India’s IT industry.
A Infosys was one of the first entrepreneur companies. It was not a family-owned company. It was not a multinational. It was not a state-owned company. It was very much modeled after the valley model. It’s become a metaphor. If they can come from nowhere and create a world-class organization, than anyone can do it.
Q How has Infosys rearranged the world software order?
A We pioneered the model of global software development, the fact that you can remotely use telecommunications to get software done anywhere. The business model we developed is very disruptive. It has forced everybody in this industry to adopt our business model. Fundamentally, we have created something that is faster, better, cheaper and more innovative. We are helping to raise the Indian brand — the fact you can have high-quality companies in India providing services to the global market.
Contact John Boudreau at jboudreau@mercurynews.com or 408-278-3496.
things to know about
nandan nilekani
1. In 2006, became one of the youngest entrepreneurs to join the World Economic Forum Foundation Board.
2. Is a trivia buff.
3. An avid reader of fiction and nonfiction and has a strong interest in public policy.
4. Co-founded India”s National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) and the Bangalore chapter of The Indus Entrepreneurs.
5. In 2006, was conferred the Padma Bhushan, one of the highest civilian honors awarded by the government of India.
Nandan nilekani
Age: 53
Home: Bangalore, India
Position: Co-chairman and co-founder of Infosys Technologies
Previous jobs: Infosys CEO and managing director; Infosys president and chief operating officer.
Education: Bachelor”s degree in electrical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Bombay, India.
Family: Married; two children.
Source: Mercury News reporting.
