From an INFOSCION to a POLITICION - Nandan's Chronicles - 2

“Continuing my tryst with capturing the life and times of Nandan Nilekani

In his new avatar as a Cabinet Minister, here is what he had penned after

his first day in the Parliament. The last entry stopped when the House

was just about to begin. Let's see what happened thereafter....

The House was in pin drop silence. I was brimming with anticipation and

excitement!!!! Manmohan had informed me that my introduction was one of

the important points of the agenda. I hoped that I will be able to make

my speech properly. After so many interviews and conferences, I was nervous

today!!!! After the Speaker indicated that the proceedings of the House

could begin, Manmohan formally introduced me to the entire House. He

mentioned that as the head of the Unique Identification Authority of

India, I was responsible to ensure that each and every Indian had a digital

Smart card as a proof of his existence.

Manmohan spoke about why I was selected and also some references to the

various projects executed by me in Infosys were mentioned. The House

listened with rapt attention. I was asked to say a few words and I did

exactly the same!!! I thanked the Government of India for having given

me this opportunity and I assured the House that I would strive to

successfully deliver this project. The Speaker then formally inducted me

into the House and before the proceedings could move any forward, there

was a small commotion on the other side of the hall.

It was Minister of Textiles who had a comment to make before the next

Point on the agenda. He made a request that I should be attired in a more

austere way instead of a flashy suit. It did not go well with the image

of a minister who should live to serve the common man and should be less

ostentatious in his habits. I stood up to reply. I offered my apologies

to the Honourable Minister and assured that I shall be in a more acceptable

dress next time. I felt that he was right. We also used to have

corporate dress code in Infosys. So it's here as well!!!!

I sat down and felt somebody nudging me. I turned around and to my

surprise; it was the former Indian skipper and one of my favourite

batsman Mohd. Azharuddin. I remembered that he had recently won the elections.

I smiled at him and mentioned to him that I used to like his game very much,

shaking his hand. No Rolex, I noticed. Azhar told me that he would "fix" me

an appointment with an Italian designer who had designed his dapper Kurta

suit. An Italian designer in Milan doing Kurtas!!!!! I made a note of this

and reminded myself to give this example to Friedman for his next book,"

The World Markets are flattened".

Since there was no doubt about the "Fixational" capacities of Azhar, I

Told him to give me the details and I would consider. The proceedings of

the House went on with numerous bills being debated and passed as I sat

as a passive audience waiting for my project's turn to come up. After the

lunch break, it was the moment for me!!!!

MY PROJECT"S FIRST REVIEW CAME UP FOR PRESENTATION.

I was at sea. My laptop did not have any reserve power. I went to

Manmohan and apprised him of the situation. I was sweating. He

calmly replied that this would not be a cause of concern. I was flummoxed!!!!

The Speaker asked me to explain to the House on what were my plans for the

Unique Identity Project. I replied that I have a plan prepared for

30-60-90-120 days' milestones and I have presentation to make for which I need a

Power socket, a projector and a screen. I had no idea what was going to

happen after this.

The next couple of minutes were a complete jolt for me. I was completely

in a tizzy. Let me just summarize what happened. A Joint Cabinet Secretary

Committee was set up to judge the feasibility of my request. The Under

Secretaries for the Ministries of Power, IT and Broadcasting will

prepare a Viability Report after scrutinizing National Security threats to my

request. This was because the power socket comes under Power, laptop

comes under IT and projector comes under Broadcasting. I have also been told

to reconsider my timelines of 30-60-90 days and start thinking in terms of

years. Probably, they are right. I did not have the foresight in this

matter.

The summary of the issue is that I need to come up with a more

inclusive, democratic, comprehensive long term plan for this project to be

executed over the next five years. I have also been given a presentation slot

3 months from now (by which the issues related to the power cord etc will also

be resolved). I am filled with mixed reactions. I was planning for

a quick resolution; the management wants a strategic solution. I come out

of the House and text Murthy.

"You won't believe it but these guys work just like us. I am on a

NATIONAL BENCH for the next three months!!!!!!!!"”

- Excerpt from somewhere else