Date:16/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/16/stories/2006121616861700.htm

National

STPI head to enter corporate world

Anand Parthasarathy

He contributed substantially to the creation of India's first Internet

Bangalore: The man who is widely credited with nurturing the growth of India's Silicon City from almost zilch, to nearly 2000 technology companies, has decided to join the corporate sector.

In a telephonic talk to The Hindu , B.V. Naidu, Director of the Bangalore operation of the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), said he had submitted his resignation to the Government, and planned to join the corporate sector from January 1.

"I have seen the Information Technology industry here grow from scratch. It has been an exciting period during which the companies in the park grew from around 13 to over 1,800 today.

However, I remain, very much, a part of the IT family here and will continue to work in the industry from Bangalore," he said. He, however, was reluctant to name the outfit he would be joining.

Having contributed substantially to the creation of India's first Internet - the Education and Research Network (ERNET) in the mid 1980s, Mr. Naidu virtually set up the Bangalore operations of the STPI in 1992 and helped make Bangalore India's main international information gateway.

At 33, he became the youngest Director of an STPI in 1996 - and has held the post ever since.

He remained mentor to hundreds of small start-ups and the friendly face of the Government for an equal number of international players who flocked to Bangalore.

He is an alumnus of the Madras Institute of Technology (MIT) and Andhra University.