The 34th Annual National Convention Programme of the Computer Society of India that began on 31 October 1999 at Nehru Centre in Mumbai, is talked about as a mega IT event of this century. The principal goal of this annual convention -- which has as its theme IT India Inc. - enabling the information century -- is to share innovations in the field of information technology that have taken place globally and in India.

Attended by stalwarts of the Indian IT industry, the convention had renowned speakers from all over the world giving talks and making presentations on a comprehensive range of themes. The guest of honour for the award ceremony was, befittingly, none other than Azim Premji, chairman, Wipro Corporation.

Mr. Premji dwelt at length on the key drivers of change in the Indian IT industry. According to him, even though the Internet user base in India is going to shoot up from the current 2.3 million to 70 million by the year 2003, it is miniscule in comparison to the penetration in other Asian countries like Taiwan and Singapore. "Although recent moves by the government have been encouraging, it needs to invest in the infrastructure," he said.

Data communication and networking would be other major drivers of opportunity in IT. Mr Premji also said that Indian companies need to remain competitive and constantly enhance efficiencies through better customer service. He also stressed the need to use the latest IT tools in supply chain management, customer relations management and enterprise resource planning, and maintained that comprehensive IT applications is a question of survival.

Emphasising the need to focus more on the domestic market rather than exports, he said that India's greatest opportunity is the large pool of technically trained people and our "mind power". Extensive IT applications in business processes is going to be the key to success. He also forecast an increased demand in the SOHO, or small office, home office, segment, which has proliferated recently and is expected to increase with a new breed of entrepreneurs.

He said that Indian software industry is facing many challenges today. International demand for Indian IT professionals poses a threat to the domestic industry and increases the pressure to retain talent. India's cost competitive advantage is already wearing away with threats from China, Thailand, and the Philippines in Asia and countries as far flung as Mexico. He suggested that we increase competence by moving up in the value and price chain and by better customer understanding, and summed up by saying "We have a dream, and dreams need perseverance and sweat to come true".

In the afternoon, Anand Mahindra, managing director of Mahindra & Mahindra, shared his managerial vision with the audience. He began his talk by recounting the old story about the rabbit and the lion, in which the rabbit saved the animals of the forest from the lion by using initiative to lure the lion to his death. He urged the participants not to get cowed down by the size and stature of the IT industry in the West.

Mr Mahindra said that the developed countries have large capital, scarce labour, high literacy and sophisticated technology, which is in complete contrast with our economy. Therefore, it is imperative for Indians to think like the rabbit and grow differently from the West. According to him the implications and consequences of IT for our country are different from those in the rest of the world, but we need to participate in this revolution to avoid exclusion from action.

He also agreed with the observation that domestic industry is being ignored in the euphoria of the export of IT talent to the West. If we do not immediately begin to concentrate on the growth of domestic industry we may be saddled with low cost, unproductive labour which would ultimately lead to waste in the economy.

Mr Mahindra warned that if India doesn't add value to computer services, countries like China and the Philippines will soon start preying on us. So it is imperative that India manages its strengths in a productive manner and retains the status of a major IT solutions provider. Comparing the Indian IT industry to a giant iceberg, Mr. Mahindra said that only one-sixth of it is visible yet and there is a need to raise the entire iceberg.

This can be achieved by the use of our cheaper technology, native engineering skills and by awakening entrepreneurs to the vast profit potential that IT offers. Quoting the examples of the innovative use of mobile phones by farmers in Bangladesh -- where phones are used to tap weather and other essential data -- he said that India can reap rich benefits only if it assures low cost; the sheer numbers will do the rest.

So it's important not to exclude a large part of the populace in rural India. To expand profitability, IT must spread to the bottom of pyramid and not remain confined to the top.