IIT : Indian Institute of Technology

Pages (1) : [1]

 

The gung-ho Indian

Sridhar Chandrasekar was a systems analyst in a bank and in his late-20s, when he decided to pursue his Masters in the US. He stayed on to gain work experience at a time when software outsourcing was growing in popularity (1991-99). I was part of the boom period when Indian software companies made strident gains by winning large-volume contracts, especially during the Y2K and Internet/dotcom boom, he says.

During this period he realised that the best avenues for Indian talent could be found only in India. In any other place, the quest will only be partially fulfilled and there will always be trade-offs, he reasons. Besides, the opportunities afforded by a growing economy like India — whether in the job scenario or from an entrepreneurial standpoint — encouraged him to seriously consider returning to India. Today Sridhar works from Chennai as Director - Marketing, Virtusa Corporation, a US-based software company.

The upbeat Indian economy and the consequent explosion of opportunities have prompted many NRIs to return home. More and more young graduates now appear willing to explore opportunities closer home than seek out distant foreign shores. And even among those pursuing higher studies abroad, a significant number intends to return after completing the course.

Says Namrata Sundaresan, Partner, Zen Knowledge Service, a Chennai-based knowledge process outsourcing firm, The government and industry have joined hands in propelling the nation forward; the government by formulating growth-oriented policies, and the industry by innovating and boosting the revenue flow with handsome contributions in taxes. Besides, Indias bold nuclear policy and firm stance on Kashmir have made it clear to the world that we are not a pushover, she says. C. Ramshankar, fresh out of IIT - Kharagpur, is thrilled that youngsters like him have the prospect to launch their professional lives in a free-market India with the entire world on their horizon. It feels good when the West cries about India taking their jobs and doing it better… a complete turnaround from the days when it was the developing countries that were singing a similar tune.

Growing stature

Sridhar attributes the countrys turnaround to the loosening economic shackles and the presence of a large educated population. The foresight of having a good educational foundation, coupled with innate intelligence is bringing the Indian intellect into limelight, he says.

The countrys growing economic confidence is best reflected in our refusal of aid post-tsunami and our gesture in sending relief material to the US post-Katrina, says Ramshankar. He cites the Mittal-Arcelor deal as another case in point.

Stating that the country holds even greater potential, Namrata says India Inc needs continuous backing in the form of easy taxes, progressive policies and, above all, a conducive business environment.

Sridhar foresees double-digit growth over the next decade or so, if we continue to do all the right things. Global macro-economic factors will play a critical role too, he adds.

Opportunities aplenty

Besides the `happening IT industry, says Achuthan Nair, Vice-President - Strategic Resourcing, Wipro Technologies, new industries like retail, telecom and some older industries like financial services have leveraged on the liberalisation policies and with good performance, positioned themselves as potential employers of good standing.

Compared to the previous decade, there is a dramatic change in the employment landscape, says E. Balaji, Chief Operating Officer, Ma Foi Management Consultants. The government is no longer the biggest employer; public sector jobs are dwindling thanks to disinvestment and privatisation policies. The dismantling of the Banking Services Recruitment Board is a classic example, he says. Sunrise industries such as BPO, IT, telecom and insurance drive the job market now.

Namrata, however, insists on a reality check. True, opportunities are aplenty but where are the employable Indians, she asks. Referring to the thousands of graduates passing out each year, she says that many of them do not have adequate marketable or communication skills. We desperately need to improve educational standards and make our workforce globally employable with industry-relevant skills, she adds.

Notwithstanding these pitfalls, Sridhar feels these are the best of times for a creative and entrepreneurial mind. Drawing attention to the significant jump in starting salaries for graduates this year, Ramshankar says. Its not without reason that the Indian market has been a magnet for companies abroad. And it is this increased global focus on India that has lured many NRIs back to the country. They bring with them a wealth of experience and exposure that they can use in many fields.

Purchasing power

Swanky homes, top-of-the-line brands and luxury cars are increasingly within grasping distance of the countrys middle class. Its now not uncommon to spot vegetable vendors in small-town India conclude the days deal on the mobile phone. While heartened by the sight of glitzy shopping malls, multiplexes and other temples of flagrant expenditure in even the small towns, Namrata sounds a note of caution.

We should avoid falling into the debt trap that has manifested itself in the American economy. Even though we are still a long way from it, credit cards and such instruments of financial convenience could be double-edged swords.

Another worry stems from the Indian youths craze for brands. From high-end cosmetics, designer watches and clothes, down to fried chicken and coffee… multinational brands are highly coveted but, warns Namrata, little do we realise that this costs our country dearly in terms of cash outflow. If we exercise a little discretion and settle for something home-grown, yet just as good, the cash circulation within our economy would ultimately benefit us.

The education scene

Beyond the traditional favourites — medicine and engineering — todays students have diverse options. From biotechnology and environmental law to forensic science, all of them offer excellent career opportunities. Super specialisation is the `in thing today. IIT - Kharagpur, for example, is setting up an Intellectual Property (IP) Law School, which is demand-induced, thanks to the many IPs coming out of the country. Another happy fallout of the Indian growth story, says Ramshankar.

And educational institutions are equally focused on local needs as they are on global demands, he says. He cites the example of Hero Mindmine, a call centre training company in New Delhi, which runs a course catering mostly to the global market.

But the sceptic in Namrata says well have to watch out against institutions that operate as knowledge shops and peddle degrees for a price. At the end of the day, we have half-baked professionals, brimming with confidence but with weak fundamentals and ill prepared to meet the demands of the industry. Pretty soon, the confidence gives way to disillusionment, she says.

Brain-drain on the wane?

Even if there is no wane, there is definitely a distinct correction. The reversal is definitely seen at the middle-management levels, says Wipros Nair. Opportunities in Indian Inc are as challenging and attractive as those on offer outside the country. Matching lifestyles in India also prompt NRIs to consider returning to India for good.

Balaji contends that North America, Western Europe and countries like Singapore continue to attract Indian talent. According to him, it is the charm of the Gulf countries that is on the decline.

The reservation issue

But the renewed debate on quotas is dampening enthusiasm in some quarters. Ramshankar says that the disillusionment caused by the new reservation push has resulted in talk of a new brain-drain among my batch-mates. Sridhar disagrees that the proposed policy would drive people out of the country; but says its time we took a 360-degree view on the countrys quota system and formulate a system to benefit young Indians. He thinks reservations have facilitated some social equity, but advocates a re-look at the existing model.

Balaji cites the American example. The supporters of reservation policy often quote Condoleezza Rice and General Colin Powell as beneficiaries of an enabling system, while its opponents say that merit will take a backseat. The challenge is to formulate an inclusive policy that will reach the fruits of the surging Indian economy to the masses, he adds.

Source : http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/

Related News from IIT

India : IITs PCM coated fabric valuable in extreme climates

India : IITs PCM coated fabric valuable in extreme climates Its a moment of glory for the IITs Department of Textile Technology as the research team has developed a Phase Change Material (PCM). Tiny salt like grains, the materials, when coated on fabrics, emit warmth in winter and absorb heat in summer. This could offer perfect clothing in the extreme climates. The application of PCM coated fibre for the fighter pilots clothing will be one of its significant applications. Such suits defy the gravitational force and can withstand extreme temperatures. More : fibre2fashion.com

Make Higher Education Pay For Itself: Plan Panel

If the Planning Commission has its way, higher education in the country is likely to cost a lot more. In its draft approach paper for the 11th five-year plan, the Commission has suggested that for universities and technical institutes to be self-sufficient and generate their funds through fees, a hike is in order. Agreeing that there has to be a substantial increase in resources to expand the number of seats, the paper says successive annual plans will have to provide rising levels of budgetary support. But, "this must be accompanied by internal resource generation by duly and realistically raising fees." The paper

Astronomical cut-offs fuel CEE debate

The SRCC helpdesk on Monday was flooded with distraught 95-percenters wanting to find out the possibility of a second list. Hardly any, they were told, with 220 B Com (hons) seats getting 309 students within the 96.5% bar.St Stephen's College put out a notice for those "with very high marks"who are "upset on not finding their names on the selection list", talking about how with a interview cut-off of 97% for English (hons), many 97- percenters and above will not get through. "It must not be seen as a reflection on one's individual abilities,"the notice says.Two instances of how CBSE's

IIT Kanpur mourns Loganathans death

IIT Kanpur mourns Loganathans death Kanpur, April 18 (IANS) The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) here is mourning the death of distinguished achiever and alumni G.V. Loganathan, the professor who died in a US university shootout along with 32 others. Loganathan, who had done his masters from IIT Kanpur after graduation from IIT-Madras, is credited with linking the IIT Alumni Centre here to the Virginia Techs engineering education department on certain projects. We held a condolence meeting on the campus here Tuesday evening, IIT director Sanjay Dhande told IANS Wednesday. More : andhracafe.com

Politicians Created OBCs: Shiv Khera

"Quotas should be class based, not caste based". Strong words of solidarity with the Youth for Equality against the reservation in educational institutions from author and orator Shiv Khera. He was addressing representatives from 18 states, students and AOL followers at a meeting held at the Art of Living ashram on Sunday. Khera said OBC as a category was created by the politicians. "I've heard there's a move for More Backward Class (MBC) category now. Soon we'll want an MMBC." According to Khera, there should be compulsory quality education for all at the school level and no quotas from the

Eye to Eye

GUESS who got the party meter a few notches high this Saturday night? Bulls Eye, a MBA preparatory institute of the region, organized an alumni meet at Hotel KC Crossroads, Panchkula. The meet was organised to felicitate the achievers of the institute, who are to join the top business institutes of the country and also to celebrate the enrollment of 1800 students in Bulls eye. This year, as many as 35 students are joining IIMs from Bulls Eye. ‘‘This is a great achievement as more than 1.60 lakh students appear in the CAT with some 8500 students appearing from the

Quake-resistant Roomi Darwaza

The gateway to Awadh Roomi Darwaza has been selected for a pilot project for seismic retrofitting. Its for the first time ever in India that such an initiative was being taken to make archaeological structures earthquake resistant and preserve their pristine glory. A joint team of Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IIT-K) and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) would be visiting this heritage site to explore the possibilities of making it earthquake resistant. More : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

HC dismisses petition challenging location of IIT

HC dismisses petition challenging location of IIT The Andhra Pradesh High Court has dismissed at the admission stage itself a petition challenging the State Governments decision to shift the venue of the proposed Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) to Medak district from Basara in Adilabad district. Dismissing the petition filed by Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader Venugopalachary, the Bench comprising Chief Justice Mr Justice G S Singhvi and Mr Justice C V Nagarjuna Reddy observed that it was a policy decision of the Governemnt. Unless the petitioner was able to prove violation of any vested Constitutional rights, the court cannot interdict the

Getting The F-1 Visa Made Easy

Most students are sweating it out trying to get admission into premier colleges across the country, but 16-year-old Abhishek Narayanan has a different aim. Abhishek is still already planning what he wants to do after his Class XII, even though he has year to go before he starts college. He plans to go to the United States for engineering, as he is almost certain he would not make it to the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT). The American Center gives information about how to get a student visa to students like Abhishek, who wish to study in US. Meanwhile, there has been an

Noble Stella Shows Heart to Win New York BC

Gary A. Tanaka's Noble Stella led at all calls over a soft turf course Saturday afternoon then dug in to hold off late-charging Angara to win the $182,000 New York Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. IIT) on the Belmont Park inner turf course by a neck. On a day when torrential showers seemed to hit at least once an hour, the New York BC Handicap remained on Belmont Park's inner turf course, which had gone from yielding to soft during the afternoon. Noble Stella, a 5-year-old German-bred daughter of Monsun, took the lead under jockey Mike Smith, breaking from the outside. Smith