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http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/lunchbs-nikesh-arora/404719/
Karma's chameleon Suveen K Sinha
New Delhi August 17, 2010, 0:19 IST
Google’s global sales chief rules himself out of the Tata race, saying he’s too fond of fast-moving and radical change
(Chronicle note: Nikesh Arora is the highest ranking executive among our alumni. Currently he is President, Global Sales Operations and Business Development at Google, Inc.)
Nikesh Arora likes to talk about movies. Expectedly, he loved Inception, a techie’s delight in which Leonardo DeCaprio enters layers of dreams. Equally expectedly, he hated Up in the Air, in which George Clooney — like Arora — spends most of his days travelling on work, but — unlike Arora — ends up having a sad and loveless life.
The first sentence he speaks when we meet is an anti-climax, offering no hope of a happy ending, writes Suveen K Sinha. “I have had lunch,” says the six-foot-one Arora, patting me on the arm rather patronisingly, which makes me feel shorter than my five foot five inches. Fighting to regain my stature, I put my foot down. I had explained the rules to him much before we met. It was Lunch with BS, for Heaven’s sake. We were to share a meal at a place of Arora’s choice. He had chosen Cilantro, the 24x7 restaurant at Trident in Gurgaon, though I had a sneaking feeling that Arora’s selection was guided more by convenience. We were going to meet right after Arora, who is the president of global sales operations and business development at Google, finished a meeting at Airtel’s headquarters — a stone’s throw. He is an independent director on Airtel’s board.
Arora says he would have coffee and dessert. He makes an enthusiastic reconnaissance of the stalls, but comes back undecided. In no time, two stewards turn up at our table, asking if they could help. With mock triumph, Arora says he has shaken up the entire restaurant, and tells them that he does not get much Indian dessert and if they could help him with some. He latches on to their fourth offer, a platter of kulfis. I, though, am determined not to go away hungry and settle for wheat pasta with tuna.
Now that Arora has agreed to eat, I warm to him. Besides, you cannot be cross for too long with a man who, according to a leading financial daily, could be in the running for Ratan Tata’s position at the head of the sprawling Tata Group. “No comment,” says Arora, breaking into one of his frequent laughs. One of the rules of Lunch with BS, I say, quickly making up the rule, is that you cannot say “no comment” to anything. Thankfully, Arora falls for it. Grabbing the issue of the paper which had named him as Tata’s possible successor (his corporate communication person had it on her), he puts his finger on the words: A long shot. “You know what that means?” he asks.
Undaunted, I offer: “Very likely?”
“No,” says Arora, perhaps wondering who made me a journalist, “very-very unlikely.” Has he been contacted by the selection panel? “My impression of the Tata Group is that it is phenomenally successful and a fantastic brand. I, as a person, am more akin to radical change, more akin to a fast-moving environment. I am not sure that’s what they are. I love what I do at Google.” Given a choice, which would he rather head, Tata or Google? “I’m not going to answer that question,” he says, amid more laughter.
Arora, who joined Google in 2004, was not enthused by Google initially. He had just left a corporate job (chief marketing officer at T-Mobile) and was not sure he wanted another corporate job. He was in London trying to raise funds for a startup, which was to be a mobile virtual network operator. “What convinced me in favour of Google was that it was still an entrepreneurial opportunity, just on a larger stage. It was still a startup in Europe. I spent four and a half years in Europe, during which time our revenues grew ten-fold. So it was entrepreneurial. I am a bad person for maintenance situations.”
Born in Ghaziabad to an officer of the Indian Air Force, Arora was not new to adapting. His schooling was spread across several Kendriya Vidyalayas. Still, did joining Google stretch him, considering that he was not really a sales person? It turns out Arora did do sales in the first year of his career — 1989 — selling 486 chip-based computers for Wipro, before moving to the US, one among the hordes of engineers of his generation who migrated.
Wipro would have been different in those says, wasn’t it? “Wipro’s hardware sales were more than its software sales. That’s how different it was. I was selling computers to the government. It was fascinating because here you were, riding a motorcycle, trying to sell computers to officials whose salary was perhaps as much as the price of the computer.”
After Wipro, Arora quickly moved out of sales, into product development, finance, investments, and so on. Until Google called. “When I interviewed at Google, Erich Schmidt, our CEO, said I had done everything in life but sales and that’s what he would like me to do in Europe. I thought it was going to be a very short interview, that I should pack my bags and go. But he said something very insightful. In our lifetime, he said, Google would probably be in multiple industries. They wanted someone adaptive, not a traditional salesperson. I went on with the interview.”
What is Google focusing on right now, I ask, as Arora offers to keep talking so I could eat in peace. One part of the company, he says, is very consumer-oriented, with search, chat, YouTube, Android, Chrome OS, Chrome browser, etc. The other part was about monetising, making money from this user base. The biggest opportunity, however, is in the advertising space. “As consumers migrate from traditional means of consuming media to online ways, the advertising dollars have to follow.”
I point out that many of the advertising dollars chasing social networking could be headed towards Facebook and Twitter, instead of Google’s Orkut or Buzz. It’s a good time to raise this delicate issue, since Arora’s platter of kulfis has arrived, eliciting visible delight from him. “We understand the importance of the people aspect of the web. Facebook has done a great job, but this is still the beginning of the trend. For now, that’s all I have to say.”
That’s it? Did I wait for his dessert just for this? Arora relents. “The web is going to permeate every business. Everyone has its space. Are we going to nail every ball out of the park? No! Are we going to stay relevant? Yes! Some people will stay ahead for a time. Some will be overtaken by others.”
In this race, how critical will it be to be on the right side of regulation? “That issue is bigger than Google,” he says. “It relates to the establishment of the internet in the mainstream of business. The internet, unlike other goods and services, does not follow national borders. As new products and services merge, regulators are going to have continued interest.”
They do seem to have more interest in Google, given the skirmishes in China and elsewhere. “We went to China five years ago. We were trying to be constantly on the edge, satisfying the needs of the user and the government. It was untenable. We decided to do it differently. We had to operate the way they wanted us to operate while still staying true to our principles. They are hopefully comfortable with our presence, but it is not as it was six months ago.” That, as an ending, is happier than I could have expected when we began.
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Additional links:
Nikesh Arora on Google Corporate home page
http://www.google.com/corporate/execs.html#nikesh
Nikesh oversees all revenue and customer operations, as well as marketing and partnerships. Since joining Google in 2004, he has held several positions with the company. Most recently, he led Google's global direct sales operations. He also developed and managed the company's operations in the European, Middle Eastern and African markets and was responsible for creating and expanding strategic partnerships in those regions for the benefit of Google's growing number of users and advertisers.
With a background as an analyst, Nikesh's main areas of focus have been consulting, IT, marketing and finance. Prior to joining Google, he was chief marketing officer and a member of the management board at T-Mobile. While there, he spearheaded all product development, terminals, brand and marketing activities of T-Mobile Europe. In 1999, he started working with Deutsche Telekom and founded T-Motion PLC, a mobile multimedia subsidiary of T-Mobile International. Prior to joining Deutsche Telekom, Nikesh held management positions at Putnam Investments and Fidelity Investments in Boston.
Nikesh holds a master's degree from Boston College and an MBA from Northeastern University, both of which were awarded with distinction. He also holds the CFA designation. In 1989, Nikesh graduated from the Institute of Technology in Varanasi, India with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering.
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http://www.imi.siuc.edu/Documents/Website%20Files/IMI%202010%20Announcement%20of%20Awards%20of%20Excellence.pdf
Springfield – The Illinois Mining Institute (
This is the highest recognition that
(Dr. Yoginder Paul Chugh)
Dr. Y. Paul Chugh, Southern Illinois University Carbondale: He has been associated with
His major achievements include developing
Dr. Chugh also has a long history of technical support to mining industry in Illinois Coal Basin. His outstanding contributions include establishing the Mining and Mineral Resources Engineering at SIU into a Center of Excellence for Coal Mining Research. He provided a broad-based research leadership in the areas of ground control, coal combustion byproducts management, productivity improvement and dust control, keeping research industry-focused to provide a prompt return on investment. In 2009 he served on an International Task Force on “Sustainable Coal development in China”. He has received numerous scholarly awards of the Society of Mining Engineers.
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Prof. Chugh can be contacted at: chugh@engr.siu.edu
Dr. Yoginder P Chugh
Professor, Mining & Mineral Resources Engineering
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
Carbondale, IL 62901-6603
Chugh joined the SIUC faculty in 1977.
A former chair of the mining and mineral resources engineering department, Chugh three times received its Outstanding Department Teaching Award. He also received College Outstanding Teacher Award in 2009. He was awarded College’s Outstanding Scholar Award in 2005 and College’s Outstanding Faculty Member Award in 2007. In 2009, he also received the Rock Mechanics Award and the Howard N. Eavenson Award from the Society of Mining Engineers.
Education of Prof. Yoginder P. Chugh
*B. Sc in Mining Engineering at Institute of technology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi (1961)
*MS in Mining Engineering at Penn State University (1968)
*Ph. D. in Mining Engineering at Penn State University (1971)
Additional links:
*Illinois Mining Institute (Founded 1892)
http://www.imi.siuc.edu/index.htm
*List of research publications of Prof. Chugh
http://www.onemine.org/search/index.cfm/yoginder-chugh
*Home page of Prof. Chugh on SUIC website
http://www.crc.siu.edu/profiles/Chugh.htm
*Interview with Prof. Y. Paul Chugh-Chronicle July 2009 issue
http://www.itbhuglobal.org/chronicle/archives/2009/07/interview_with_18.php
*Southern Illinois University Carbondale-Coal Research Center
Coal Research Center of Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois, USA
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http://www.jsonline.com/business/99904449.html
UWM researchers work to develop self-healing metals
Mike De Sisti
UWM professor Pradeep Rohatgi holds an intake manifold made of an aluminum-fly ash composite. The school is developing nano-structured materials for industry and the military that could be 10 times stronger than aluminum alloys.
By Rick Barrett of the Journal Sentinel
Aug. 3, 2010 |
Cast metal matrix composite samples made at the UWM Center for Advanced Materials Manufacturing sit on a counter for testing in the school’s foundry laboratory.
In the film "Terminator 2: Judgment Day," the battle wounds of a liquid-metal man could heal themselves in seconds.
Now, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee scientists have developed self-healing metals that could be useful on the battlefield. They also could be used for quick repairs in machines ranging from automobiles to power plant turbines.
It's all part of research taking place at UWM, which has received a $1.2 million U.S. Army grant to find ways that manufacturers and foundries could use advanced materials in their products.
The goal is to gear up full-scale production of some materials that, until now, have only been produced in a laboratory.
It could give Wisconsin companies a competitive advantage, said Michael Lovell, dean of UWM's College of Engineering and Applied Science.
Companies are asking for stronger, lighter, better materials they could use with processes they already have.
With self-healing metals, cracks repair themselves. The repair might not be permanent, but it's strong enough for a temporary fix.
The healing is accomplished by including microscopic "balloons" in metals while they're still in liquid form. The balloons burst if the finished metal product is damaged, causing the materials inside to leak out and fill the cracked area.
Even bullet holes are healed, almost instantly, in self-healing polymers.
With self-healing concrete, cracks fix themselves with only water and carbon dioxide needed to trigger the process.
Some advanced materials could be good for public health and the environment. The university's research, for example, has shown that fly ash - a byproduct of coal-burning power plants - can be blended with aluminum or lead to make inexpensive composites that are lightweight and have high impact resistance.
The university has helped Wisconsin foundries become suppliers of composite castings.
It has produced a self-lubricating metal that could be used in engines and, on a small scale, it has produced self-healing metal.
Through the $1.2 million grant, UWM will seek ways to get laboratory-proven materials into full-scale production.
"It is the scaling up process that is the challenge," Lovell said.
Advanced materials could help sagging foundries diversify their business because the materials could be made using conventional metal-casting techniques.
"Foundries could start making these modern products without having to update their equipment," said Pradeep Rohatgi, a UWM engineering professor and director of the university's Center for Advanced Materials Manufacturing.
The materials could be useful for the state's defense contractors, such as Oshkosh Corp. Oshkosh is working with UWM to develop composites that are as strong as steel but lighter than aluminum.
Shaving pounds is important because the company's military vehicles are loaded onto aircraft for delivery overseas. Fuel mileage also could be improved through the use of lighter materials.
By using nanotechnology, where materials are altered at a molecular level, truck parts could have advanced properties but would still be easy to manufacture.
It takes care of the problem that previous composites had, said Robert Hathaway, vice president of materials and process engineering for Oshkosh Corp.
Metals and metal composites represent the largest volume of materials produced in Wisconsin.
Oshkosh and other companies, including General Motors Co. and Ford Motor Co., have helped fund the UWM research.
Within two years, researchers could have truck parts ready for Oshkosh's assembly line.
Self-healing metals are still a few more years away from production. But the university's emphasis is on getting materials into commercial use rather than research for its own sake.
"It doesn't do the Army any good if they fund research that never actually makes it to the battlefield," Lovell said.
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Pradeep Rohatgi can be contacted at: prohatgi43@gmail.com
Dr. Pradeep K. Rohatgi
State of Wisconsin and UWM Distinguished Professor
Director of UWM Center for Composites
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Materials Department
CEAS, EMS 574
P.O. Box 784
Milwaukee, WI 53201
Education
· Sc.D., Materials Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1964
· M.S., Materials Science and Engineering, MIT, 1963
· B.S., Metallurgical Engineering, Banaras University, 1961
Research Interests
Foundry Technology, Solidification Processing, Composite Materials, Alloy Development, specialty Aluminum and Steels, Bulk Nanostructured Alloys and Nanocomosites, Rapid Mobile Manufacture, and Materials Policy.
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Additional links:
*Pradeep Rohatgi on Class of 1961 book
http://sites.google.com/site/reunion61/pradeeprohatgi2
*Minerals, Metals & Materials Society of USA holds Rohatgi Honorary Symposium
Press-release, Prof. Rohatgi, BHU, March 2, 2006
*Rohatgi Symposium-Metal Matrix Composites-Chronicle June 2006 issue
*Pradeep Rohatgi home page on UWM
http://www4.uwm.edu/ceas/faculty_profiles/PRohatgi.html
*Department of Materials-College of Engineering and Applied Science
http://www4.uwm.edu/ceas/mat/about_us/
*University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Golda Meir Library at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
http://www.campusexplorer.com/colleges/0A4CB3B0/Wisconsin/Milwaukee/University-of-Wisconsin-Milwaukee/
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R. K. Malhotra takes over as Director (R&D), Indian Oil
India Infoline News Service / 14:46, Aug 05, 2010
A Mechanical Engineer from IT, BHU and PhD (Energy Studies) from IIT Delhi, Dr. Malhotra has been with Indian Oil for over three decades gaining expertise in all aspects of petroleum research and development, and is considered a national expert in fuel quality and alternative sources.
(Dr. R. K. Malhotra)
Dr. R.K Malhotra has taken over as Director (Research & Development), Indian Oil today. Prior to his elevation to the Board, Dr. Malhotra was Executive Director of Indian Oil's world-class Research and Development Centre at Faridabad. Dr. Malhotra's appointment as the head of R&D comes at a time when Indian Oil is pressing the pedal on research in new areas such as second and third generation bio-fuels, coal/residue/biomass gasification, Hydrogen, bio-technology, nanotechnology, and petrochemicals.
A Mechanical Engineer from IT-BHU and PhD (Energy Studies) from IIT Delhi, Dr. Malhotra has been with Indian Oil for over three decades gaining expertise in all aspects of petroleum research and development, and is considered a national expert in fuel quality and alternative sources.
R. K. Malhotra can be contacted at: malhotrark@iocl.co.in
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Indian Oil Corporation Ltd.
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http://mobigyaan.com/bsnl-appoints-gopal-das-as-chairman-a-managing-director
(Gopal Das)
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has announced the appointment of Mr. Gopal Das as Chairman & Managing Director of BSNL. Mr. Kuldeep Goyal, the former Chairman & Managing Director of BSNL got retired from BSNL on 31st of last month.
Mr. Gopal Das has experience of 35 years in the field of Telecommunications. He was earlier associated with BSNL as the Director, Human Resources Development.
An Engineering Graduate from Banaras Hindu University, Mr. Gopal Das joined the Department of Telecom’s ‘Group A’ services in 1975. He joined Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) in the year 2007. Prior to joining BSNL, Mr. Gopal Das has served as the Chief General Manager, (Wireless Services) in Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited at Mumbai.
Commenting on his joining, Mr. Gopal Das said “After a good old journey of more than three decades, this is the best form of reward I can seek for my career. I am privileged and humbled to occupy the post of CMD, BSNL. A great challenge lies ahead of us and I am sure we will meet every challenge with determination”.
Gopal das can be contacted at: cmdbsnl@bsnl.co.in
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Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. formed in October, 2000, is World's 7th largest Telecommunications Company providing comprehensive range of telecom services in India: Wireline, CDMA mobile, GSM Mobile, Internet, Broadband, Carrier service, MPLS-VPN, VSAT, VoIP services, IN Services etc. Presently it is one of the largest & leading public sector unit in India.
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Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University
Varanasi 221005, UP