On the PC today
The PC is playing a key role in the very perception of IT in
India. The PC segment really took off when the new computer policy came in and
we were allowed to import technology and operating systems. Before that, all of
us who were in the hardware business, used to design, develop, manufacture and
do everything ourselves. If you look at the way people measure IT penetration in
any country, they measure it through PC penetration primarily. Then, they look
at number of telephones and the number of Internet connections.
On manufacturing in India
I think manufacturing has always had a place in the country.
Earlier, people used to wait for a PC for two to three months. Today you don’t
want to wait a few days for a product. It’s just that the government had an
on-off policy in promoting or not promoting manufacturing. We believe that the
government should promote manufacturing because it would not just benefit the
Indian companies but also enable the international companies to take notice. As
you can see in the last two years, international companies are here to
manufacture computers. I also believe that the cost of shipment is a huge issue
in the pricing of the PC. So, it makes a lot of sense to assemble computers in
the country. I see no reason why the government should not encourage IT-related
industry.
Impact of the PC on his life
It has made my life a whole lot better and easier in terms of
doing business. It keeps me connected to literally every point of the
world. I have offices, internationally and the mail system is what keeps the
system going. Even at home, it is a method of being in touch with others easily.