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Sambhar Mafia - Cooked To Kill!

Saturday, August 06, 2005

Chennai – a HOT destination for IT

Kiran Karnik, NASSCOM’s President was in Chennai recently and he spoke to The Hindu on Chennai’s quest for becoming the IT destination of choice. He says that Indian cities should benchmark with global destinations so that they can compete globally.

With IT firms (like CTS) spreading their base to second rung cities like Coimbatore, the strain on metros should ease a bit.

Related reading: Taking stock of Chennai’s problems

16 Comments:

  • IT or not,Chennai is HOT ;-)

    By Blogger Thayirsaadham, at 5:48 PM  

  • Chennai is hot in more ways than one. The potential of Chennai is so high, I am not sure Amma and Zorro have seen it or will ever see it. It could be the gateway to the markets of the Far East. Plus, with some improvement, it could well take on the Bangalores for IT and give it a real run for its money. But like I said, some money has to be sunk to make the city a first world city. Carpet bombing the autorickshaws may be a good beginning.

    By Blogger ecophilo, at 6:37 PM  

  • I've posted before that Amma didn't promote English in Chennai with the set-top box TV debacle.

    After several years in Chennai, I can tolerate the heat and ricks, but it's co-worker's ignorance about pollution and traffic discipline that seem detrimental to a supposed forward looking community.

    By Blogger OJ_Audet @ HotMail.com, at 10:08 PM  

  • any day chennai's infrastructure is better than bangalore and this should take the IT sector in this city forward.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:42 PM  

  • what's the use of these IT ppl moving to smaller cities? I study in Pune and thanks to these IT ppl Pune is becoming a mess... haven't we seen what Bangalore has become???

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12:15 AM  

  • @Thayirsaadham,
    Very true. As the Radio Mirchi jingle goes - Sema HOT machi.

    @Neelakantan,
    With ample supply of quality engineering grads, efficient public transport, reasonable cost of living, reasonable land prices and rentals (compared to B'lore & Mumbai), well connected airport and labour friendly nature makes Chennai a good place for IT firms. Lot of politicians own autos and hence the government is reluctant to bring them under control. The arrival of call taxis has eased the situation to some extent.

    @Yardboy,
    Improper policies / implementation has resulted in Chennai bearing the brunt from the Set Top Box problem. The Cable TV distribution is in the hands highly influential politicians and hence nobody is able to voice their concerns. Cable TV being a virtual monopoly, the consumers hardly have a choice. Traffic indiscipline is something which is rampant. strict enforcement and higher fines can help in stemming this problem. I think the pollution levels in Chennai are much better than other Indian metros....but a lot a needs to be done to improve the situation.

    @Vasanthi,
    the water problem and the heat are big detractors for professionals from other states to relocate to Chennai. The Chennai public should be more open in welcoming talent from other states.

    @Vidya,
    Thanks for dropping by. Pune's case might be peculiar as it is an education hub and an IT hub. Is the situation so bad in Pune? IMO Coimbatore has sufficient infrastructure to house IT firms. Lot of quality engineering colleges are located in the region. the presence of an airport and the pleasant climate should act in favour of Coimbatore. Cities like Mysore and Mangalore are also seeing some action. If Pune is so congested, IT firms will think twice before deciding on future relocation plans.

    By Blogger Kaps, at 12:50 AM  

  • Hey vidya!
    I studied in the univ of pune from 1995-2000 good to know a fellow puneite. What are you studying there in pune? I love pune. simply the best place in India. Pune is not being destroyed by IT firms, it is being destroyed on the contrary by industrialization. IT firms only add some good concrete buildings, industries, pollute!

    By Blogger Robbie, at 1:27 AM  

  • I love chennai a lot

    By Blogger Suguna, at 2:45 AM  

  • Kaps,
    Congratulations for having won the third place in Nambikkai kavithai potti. Kavingar Kaps has won and we are expecting more to come from you. Keep up the good work.

    By Blogger வெங்கி / Venki, at 6:27 AM  

  • மனமார்ந்த வாழ்த்துக்கள் !!

    YOU ARE ONE AMONG THE PRIZE WINNERS AT "NAMBIKKAI" POETRY COMPETITION !!

    By Blogger Adaengappa !!, at 7:29 AM  

  • Congrats for the Kavidhai Potti :-)

    By Blogger Krish, at 9:07 AM  

  • congratulations Kaps !..
    good kavithai.

    By Blogger KRTY, at 9:44 AM  

  • Coimbatore is without doubt a very good 'next' destination for the IT industry. In addition to the reasons you outlined, it is also a decently well planned city, with good roads and plenty of scope for development on all sides.

    Btw, coming to Chennai, what '8' lane road is Kiran Karnik talking about?

    By Blogger Leon, at 2:32 PM  

  • some unrelated news dude - check this out at newindpress.com if u r subscribed -

    Govt to seek IIM help to revitalise RTC
    Tuesday July 26 2005 14:40 IST
    HYDERABAD: The State Government has decided to engage the services of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Bangalore, for an in depth study on how to strengthen and revitalise the beleaguered AP State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC).

    The IIM would be asked to submit its report within two months and suggest a comprehensive package to revive the corporation, which is in deep financial mess.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:56 PM  

  • நம்பிக்கை விதையூன்றி
    வெற்றிக் கனி பறித்த
    புதுக் கவிஞருக்கு
    வாழ்த்துக்கள்......

    By Blogger Ram C, at 5:11 PM  

  • @Venki,
    Vaazhthukku Nandri. I hope to write more in the future.

    @Adengappa,
    Mikka Nandri

    @Thennavan & Keerthi,
    Thanks

    @VJ,
    It's true that the biggies are recruiting a lot. However the starting salaries are not going up.

    @Leon,
    Even I'm not aware of the 8lane road which Kiran Karnik has mentioned

    @Tan,
    Thanks for the pointer, will check it out.

    @RamC,
    Kavidhai vadivil vaazhthu kooriyamaikku nandri.

    By Blogger Kaps, at 12:39 AM  

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