l Sam Pitroda’s vision of what information technology can do for India…
IT is not about software exports or Internet access but a whole new way of doing things. It is badly needed in the country. I would like the IT revolution to change work culture and work values. IT has the potential to bring about openness, democratization and decentralization. It can bring about a change in our political system, our bureaucracy, judiciary, banking systems and make the very functioning of our country open and user friendly.

If I need to set up a business, I should be able to do it in an hour with a computer and Internet connection at my disposal. All approvals and processes should be done online. Why should I wait for some babu to be available to get things rolling? Why should he be a gatekeeper? I want IT to question fundamentals in India. It is a historic opportunity for a nation to leave behind all that has held back rapid development so far. I want IT to throw all that and create a new India.

l And what does Sam Pitroda contributing to this new India?
Nothing. If I don’t have a big enough role in this scheme of things, I do not want to give up my time for any projects. I am 60 years old now, I probably have only 10 years of life left and I don’t want to fritter it away on small things. If I can’t bring about a generational change, I am not interested in spending three of those 10 years on any committee. I am not being arrogant, but practical.

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