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The numbers are absolutely mindboggling. Today, Infosys Technologies alone employs 32,178 people and the figure shoots up to 36,750 if one includes subsidiaries (read Progen). In FY 2004-05, 14,13,018 job applications were received across the Infosys group of companies, that's over a lakh applications processed every month, and 19,080 offers were made.

As head of HR at Infy, Hema Ravichander has set new benchmarks in HR practices. The sheer volume of recruitments alone validates the statement. And it was not just recruitments that the lady handled at Infosys. As senior VP and group head of HRD, she has been responsible for learning and development, compensation, employee relations, managing diversity, even visas and work permits. And of course, it was history of sorts when Infosys announced ESOPs, the first company in India Inc. to do so.

The IIM-Ahmedabad alum was with Mico Bosch and was doubling up as a freelance HR consultant when she met NR Narayana Murthy. It was Murthy's vision "belief in creating and sharing wealth" that drew her to join Infosys in 1992-then just a Rs 5 crore company with 250 employees. After nearly 13 years of association with Infosys (she took two years off between 1996 and 1998 to spend more time with her children Nikhil and Aditi, then four and eight years old repectively). Murthy's vision continues to motivate her. Says Ravichandar, "I should be able to provide the same level of excellence to every stakeholder."

Fame and success has been synonymous with Hema Ravichandar. In 2005 alone, she has received three awards for her contribution to HR. Her inspiration? Her great grandmother, the consort of the Maharaja of Kochi: "She was a great administrator, a strong believer in the Welfare State concept and a true partner in implementing progressive reforms and measures for women and the weaker sections of society."

In FY 2005-06, Infosys plans to add another 12,600 employees to its existing workforce. However, Ravichandar may not be around this time to drive things. The lady is preparing herself for a role beyond Infosys. Incidentally, the last time she left Infosys, the company made sure that it got her back on board. Can Infosys do without Hema Ravichandar? She laughs and replies, "Today Infosys has a robust HR metrics system in place and a strong HR team to support the company." Ravichandar strongly believes that she has a pan-industry role to play at this stage of her career. The challenges are immense, but she remains unfazed. Success to her is a combination of self-discipline, multi-tasking and offering quality to her stakeholders. As long as she gets this combination right, there's no stopping her.

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