The Transformer

In a world dominated by power and corruption some people are a breed apart. The story of N Vittal is the one to be read many times for it has all the trappings of inspiration, motivation, leadership and survival for all of us to emulate.

An unassuming gentle giant, N.Vittal, former Chairman, Telecom Commission and Secretary, Department of Telecommunication, Government of India is today in the evening of his life, but he has ushered in reforms grounds up. You can easily call him the visionary who sowed the seeds of telecom liberalization, as the 1994 National Telecom Policy (NPT) fructified because of Vittal’s efforts.

The recipient of Voice&Data Telecom Leadership Award 2016 for Lifetime contribution to the industry, Vittal, today spends his retired life in a quiet neighborhood in Chennai. At his home in Chennai, sitting in his living room decked with numerous awards and certification, he points to the Padma Bhushan Award he received in 2012, beaming with pride. His humbleness and modesty despite his achievements leaves an impression.

As I look at this man’s achievements, I am lost…I don’t know where to start and what to ask. His life has come a full circle as he sits on his comfortable couch, saying that he has been through a myriad health issues the last few years. He just smiles and adds its all part of life and one need to take it in stride.

Let me still make an effort to summarize why despite all these years Vittal’s contribution was so important for the telecom revolution that we are seeing right now. Probably a good starting point would be in his ability to fearlessly take on to challenges that enabled things at ground zero. It is this courage and will power that has kept Vittal picking up laurels all through the way.

I am also reminiscing back from my

Some Milestones

As Chairman, Telecom Commission, N. Vittal initiated the process of liberalization in the telecom sector and played a major role in getting the National Telecom Policy 1994 approved and announced.

Earlier, he was member of the Telcom Restructuring Committee formed in 1991, headed by Dr. MrityunjayAthreya and having a panel of eminent members such as Dr. Sam Pitroda; Dr. V. Krishnamurthy and late M. R. Pai.

As Secretary to the Government of India, initiated policies for boosting software and set up software technology parks and forged a strategic alliance with the industry.

Also was successful in introducing the Electronics Hardware Technology Park scheme, whereby, mini `Hongkongs’ and mini `Singapores’ can be created in India to boost manufacture of electronic hardware.

Made Department of Electronics a front runner in adjusting to the new industry friendly policy, encouraging foreign direct investment from IBM, Motorola etc.

As chairman, Public Enterprises Selection Board initiated measures for greater transparency and speed in the functioning of the PESB. Headed the committee on guidelines which resulted in the cancellation of 696 obsolete guidelines hampering the autonomy of the PSEs. past interactions with Vittal and try and explain why Vittal’s achievement is extraordinary. Clearly N Vittal had the courage to dream big. He became the IT lobbyist within the government to frame and drive IT and telecom policies, which had a big role in India’s flourishing IT and the ongoing telecom revolution.

Vittal clearly broke the convention and the stereotyped definition of a typical bureaucrat. Vittal is one such former bureaucrat who defied established conventions and challenged his peers. Hated by the politicians, admired and respected by the common man, Vittal has seen the worst and best in his professional life and picked both bouquets and brickbats with poise all along.

Decoding Vittal

Let’s get up-close. The upright IAS officer of the 1960 batch sowed the seeds of software exports by accelerating the Software Technology Parks (STP) scheme and redefined the behemoth called Department of Telecommunications (DoT), shaking it out of its slumber so that every Indian could have a telephone number. In true gladiatorial style, he fought his own department and convinced politicians that a telephone connection is a fundamental right and should be available “on demand” like any other utility. This is what the flagship and path breaking National Telecom Policy (NTP) announced by government of India theorized, full credit for letting that see light of day, in 1994, should go to Vittal.

The NTP was indeed the starting point of India’s IT revolution, which coincided with equally path breaking New Economic Policy (NEP) announced by the then finance minister Dr Manmohan Singh. The multi-billion dollar IT entities of today happened because of maturing of Indian telecommunications. The starting point was the NTP of 1994, powered by the visionary thinking of people like Vittal in those early days of Indian IT.

Understanding Vittal is as complicated as understanding Indian bureaucracy. As we wade through his achievement files, his various avatars become evident.

However, let us demystify three postings, significant ones that brought in disruptive changes, but wholesome changes nevertheless, in the country.