The One-Man Inspiration Army

What else can we call Dewang

Mehta than the 'one-man inspiration army'. He inspired people, galvanized the

software industry and produced magnificent results for his country. And when the

news of his sudden demise came, the Indian IT industry was shell-shocked. How

could the person who with such single-minded devotion put the Indian software

industry so prominently on the world map be no more there?

The question is difficult to

answer. But then these are the vagaries of life. That is why the slogan, "A

journey ends but the mission continues" put up by Nasscom at Dewang'sÂ

memorial service, sounds so apt.

Not long ago, after Narayana

Murthy of Infosys had delivered his address at the Industry Leadership Forum of

Nasscom 2001 in Mumbai, we had walked up to Dewang and complimented him saying,

"Good start to Nasscom 2001". But Dewang did not look convinced.

Looking back, we realize why

Dewang was not convinced. He was always up to great jobs not just good jobs. And

that is how he could push the software industry from $15 million 1991 to $6.2

billion in 2001 and aim for $50 billion by 2008.

But to say that he achieved this

single-handedly would be to see only one side of the coin. The other side is

that he did this by getting the software players of the country -- big and small

--  together, binding them with the glue of Nasscom.

That is why we call Dewang the

'one-man inspiration army'. He motivated and energized members of Nasscom to

always aim for higher numbers. He studiously worked at networking software

players with clients in all the continents to ensure that software business came

pouring in.

One of his biggest achievements

has been the development of the Nasscom annual event into such a successful

show. We believe that he was instrumental in convincing the executive committee

of Nasscom to bring the event to Mumbai and what a tremendous response the event

has elicited ever since!

He used his charisma to bring

international IT stalwarts including Michael Dell, to speak at Industry

Leadership Forums of Nasscom. Dewang made Nasscom conventions the talk of the

town by getting renowned experts in their respective fields to speak on the

occasion. At this year's convention, several delegates had to return

disappointed because there wasn't any more room to accommodate them.

There is no doubt that the

sudden demise of Dewang has left a huge vacuum at Nasscom. But this very

happening needs to provoke the executive committee to structure Nasscom in such

a way that finding a successor from within becomes an easy job in the future.

The passing away of an individual should not leave an organization rudderless in

pursuing its mission.

sylvesterl@cmil.com