Sam Pitroda calls for ICT’s application for development

New Delhi, Aug. 26 (ANI): Knowledge Commission Chairman Sam Pitroda has called for the application of information and communication technology (ICT) in the field of education, health, environment and agriculture in order to bring in a generational change among the Indian masses.

“The key in terms of what next is to focus on five to six key areas. My preference would be health, education, energy and environment. Pretty broad four to five big areas,” Pitroda said, delivering a keynote address at a function to mark the silver jubilee of Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT).

He also noted that information technology (IT) should be used as a tool to enhance the education sector in the country.

On this score, he called for IT and ICT to supplement and complement each other for positive results.

“They key is we need to use IT in a very different way to build productivity and efficiency in education. Learning models have to change. We need to take advantage of available IT infrastructure to really enhance our teaching as well adds to our teachers resource,” Pitroda, added.

C-DOT is the premier organisation engaged in research and development (R andD) of IT in India and it was set up on August 25, 1984. (ANI)

Pitroda, Murthy and S Ramadorai considered for Air India’s top management spots

New Delhi, July 8 (ANI): The Civil Aviation Ministry is reportedly considering the names of Sam Pitroda, Narayana Murthy and S Ramadorai, who are top entrepreneurs and technocrats, for reviving Air India in order to bring high quality people of great integrity and proven track record in business.

These names would be considered as part of Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel’s plans of a major revamp of the national carrier’s top management, which would be carried out in next 30 days in a bid to turn around cash-strapped Air India in the next two years.

“Our minister has already initiated the process. These names will be finalised soon,” a news channel quoted a top official said.

Sam Pitroda is an inventor, entrepreneur and policymaker. Currently chairman of National Knowledge Commission, he is also widely considered to have been responsible for India’s communications revolution.

While, Narayana Murthy is an industrialist, software engineer and one of the seven founders of Infosys Technologies, a global consulting and IT services company based in India and Subramaniam Ramadorai is the CEO and Managing Director of Tata Consultancy Services Ltd, a major IT company in the country.

“Ramadorai’s name has already been cleared for the role of functional director. Talks are on with the others as well. As many as seven new directors may be inducted as per plans,” the source added.

According to sources, the entire top management of Air India, which is under a loan liability of Rs 15,000 crore, would be recast in the next 30 days. Several old time directors might be asked to leave and a Professional Chief Operating Officer will be appointed under the Chairman and Managing Director. (ANI)

President presents Padma awards

New Delhi, Mar 31 (ANI): Bollywood actors Akshay Kumar and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Atomic Energy Commission of India (AECI) chief Anil Kakodkar were among the recipients of the Padma awards from President Pratibha Patil on Tuesday.

Aishwarya Rai, a former Miss World and now a member of the Bachchan family, received a Padma Shree award for her contribution to the field of entertainment.

Akshay Kumar, a globally acclaimed actor, also received a Padma Shree.

Kakodkar received the Padma Vibhushan award for 2008 for his contribution to the field of nuclear science and technology.

Sister Nirmala, who served for 12 years as the Superior-General of the Kolkata-based Missionaries of Charity, received the Padma Vibhushan.

Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Director Ashok Ganguly was also awarded the Padma Vibhushan.

Sixteen people were awarded Padma Bhushan, including renowned classical singer Shamshad Begum and Tech Czar Sam Pitroda.

Forty-five people were given Padma Shree awards, for their contribution in various spheres of activity, including the arts, education, industry, literature, science, sports, social and public life.

Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and a host of other dignitaries attended the function. (ANI)

Malay Indian appointed member of Indian global advisory council

Putrajaya, Feb. 6 (ANI): Malay Indian and the chairman of the Nam Fatt Corporation Bhd, Ajit Singh, who features in the list of 20 most prominent Indians living abroad, has been appointed as a member of the newly constituted Indian Global Advisory Council, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The Indian High Commission released a press statement on Thursday saying that Ajit Singh was picked for his experience as a distinguished diplomat who had served in various positions in Malaysian missions abroad and the Malaysian Foreign Ministry as well as due to his experience as ASEAN’s first Secretary-General, The Star reported.

The council chaired by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also includes the country’s External Affairs Minister, Overseas Indian Affairs Minister, and senior government officials.

Other overseas Indians in the council are Nobel laureate and economist Dr. Amartya Sen, academicians Jagdish Bhagwati and Lord Bhikhu Chotalal Parekh, parliamentarian Ela Gandhi, industrialists L.N. Mittal and Karan Bilmoria, corporate leaders Indra Nooyi, Vikram Pandit and Rajat Gupta, management guru C.K. Prahlad, former UN under-secretary Shashi Tharoor and prominent scientist and policy-maker Dr. Sam Pitroda.

The High Commission said the council would serve as an institutionalised dialogue mechanism between the diaspora community and the highest levels of the Indian Government.

The press statement said that the council will advise the Indian Government on how to facilitate dynamic engagement between stakeholders in India and the overseas Indian community.

“It will focus specifically on promoting business-to-business partnerships and creating appropriate institutional mechanisms that can leverage knowledge, skills and expertise possessed by overseas Indians for the country’s socio-economic development,” it said.

The council is also expected to channel the Indian diaspora’s efforts in rooting out poverty, and empowering the education and healthcare sectors. (ANI)

Bahuguna, Sister Nirmala, Kakodkar conferred Padma Vibhushan

New Delhi, Jan.26 (ANI): India’s second highest civilian award – the Padma Vibhushan – will be conferred this year on ten persons, while the country’s third highest civilian award – the Padma Bhushan will be conferred on 30 individuals.

Noted environmentalist Sunderlal Bahuguna, Missionaries of Charity head Sister Nirmala and nuclear scientist Anil Kakodar are among the 10 Indians named for the Padma Vibhushan, a Rashtrapati Bhavan communiqu‚ announced on Sunday.

Vocalist Shamshad Begu, journalist Shekhar Gupta, sports historian Ramchander Guha, author Isher Judge Ahluwalia, shooter Abhinav Bindra and techno-entrepreneur Sam Pitroda are among the 30 individuals who will receive the Padma Bhushan.

Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, yesteryears star Helen, besides musicians Hridayanath Mangeshkar and Pinaz Masani, broadcaster Ameen Sayani, pathologist Arvind Lal, advocate Shyamla Pappu, social worker Bilkees Latif and world billiards champion Panjak Advani are among the 93 persons who will receive the Padma Shri, the country’s fourth highest civilian award. (ANI)