Sam Pitroda
Invited Speaker November 2001 zur Eröffnungsfeier des Stiftungs-Verbundkollegs
Berlin der Alcatel SEL Stiftung
Curriculum Vitae
An inventor, a
technocrat, and a social thinker, Sam Pitroda is a genuine visionary.
Aside from his immense tangible work in telecommunications, Mr. Pitroda also
shifted paradigms: he made the case that telecommunications – along with
substantial food, clean water, and adequate shelter – were a fundamental
component in the process of modernization.
By introducing small, rural exchanges to India, he brought the telephone to some
of the world’s most previously isolated region. He also made the case that
accessibility, not density, should be the focus of of the implementation of
telecom. By providing public access – the bright yellow STD PCO boxes that you
encounter in India are a manifestation of his efforts – Mr. Pitroda
revolutionized the state of telecommunications in India – and provided a model
for other developing nations.
In implementing these changes,
Mr. Pitroda worked closely with Rajiv Gandhi, as the Chief Technology Adviser to
the Prime Minister. Mr. Pitroda, who holds some fifty patents internationally,
is currently the CEO of WorldTel, an international telecommunications
corporation.
In his columns, he uses his vast professional and personal experience to discuss
many interesting business and technology topics. His work is very expansive,
examining subjects in light of their larger social contexts - as well as the
impact on the individual. You can share your ideas with Mr. Pitroda by writing
to him at
pitroda@corp.siliconindia.com.
