Nandan Nilekani, who co-founded Infosys Technologies with N. R. Narayana Murthy will lead the Unique Identification Authority of India, and quit Infosys on June 9 as its co-chairman. Also a co-founder of NASSCOM, Nilekani has got a place in 2009 edition of the Time magazine list of '100 World's Most Influential People.'
In an exclusive conversation with CXOtoday, TV Mohandas Pai, member of the board at Infosys says- "Nandan has left to take up a responsibility that could transform the nation. It is an individual choice." On asking about how Infosys could do without him, Pai said that they have a management team with enough depth to realize their goals.
Nilekani had become the CEO of Infosys in March 2002, taking over from Murthy and served till April 2007. He relinquished his position to his colleague Kris Gopalakrishnan, and become co-chairman. As a brand ambassador of Infosys, Nilekani worked on key client relationships and transformational activities. Since he has had decisive role in the company, the Infosys association with clients and new businesses may get affected, but only for sometime as it has a management board with similar expertise.
However, the appointment of 55-year-old Nilekani is widely seen as UPA's ambition to accelerate its mega project of Multipurpose National Identity Card (MNIC). Earlier in Jan, the Supreme Court pulled the government to fast track this project in national interest. The government has already earmarked Rs 100 crore for the comprehensive process towards the National Authority of Unique Identity under the National Planning Commission.
