Nayudamma Award for Nandan Nilekani

Chennai, Aug 1 (UNI) Infosys Technologies Co-Chairman Nandan M Nilekani was today conferred the annual 'Nayudamma Award', instituted jointly by RMK Engineering College and Nayudamma Centre for Development Alternatives, Nellore.

Mr Nilekani, after delivering the 12th Prof Y Nayudamma Memorial Lecture on ''Information Technology for Development,'' received the award from Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Anil Kakodkar. The award carried a silver plaque, citation and certificate.

Addressing the students, he underscored the need for the digital revolution to trickle down to every single citizen, even as he noted the colossal strides India had taken in the digital age.

He said the IT exports from India stood at USD 50 million in 1991 and today it was USD 30 billion with the IT sector employing 1.6 million professionals.

In about four or five years, ''we would be doubling this figure in less than one-third of the time. It is expected to be USD 50-60 billion with employment for 3.2 million professionals,'' he said.

But these figures should trickle down to the common man and this technology should reach every citizen, he added.

''The IT revolution has already benefitted the common man,'' he said, adding till about five years back, India had 60 million landlines. But in the next five years, there would be 500 million users, thanks to the mobile revolution, he said.

Earlier, Dr Kakodkar, in his address, said Mr Nilekani was an example of how young students from India could take on the world.

''India needs more of the likes of Nandans,'' he added.

Paying tributes to Nayudamma, he said all his research was aimed at building a better society. ''Demographically speaking, it is the youth who form the bulk of India. With the exception of possibly China, we are the only country with this advantage. Hence while India is undergoing huge transformation in terms of economic growth and opportunities, students must be prepared to stand and win over this fierce competition,'' he said.

UNI