It’s a huge challenge: Rohini Nilekani

The man, who has always focussed on the IT and the now and is the acknowledged poster-boy of India Infotech, the face of the changing world of computers and Infosys, is all set to join the government on the rank and status of a cabinet minister. His new task: heading the Unique Identification Card programme that will give every Indian a biometric card.

The decision of 54-year-old business baron Nandan Nilekani — a man who moved effortlessly from IIT to IT and recently penned a tome on the changing face of India — Imagining India — has been hailed by all who perceive it as a move that will make a great difference to society.

His wife Rohini has also always believed in making a difference to the people around her — having worked with Akshara Foundation (education) for ten years in addition to Pratham Books and Arghyam (which focuses on the issue of water and funds work in 14 states). When asked about Nandan’s move, she says, “It is too early to say anything about all this. All I can say is that this is a very essential task for the country.”

But isn’t this a big decision for the co-chairman of Infosys? “It is a big task indeed and if completed successfully in the given timeframe, it will be transformational for the country.”

As a wife, she is aware of what the new role and responsibilities that Nandan has taken on his shoulders entail. “It will be a huge personal challenge for Nandan but he has obviously thought things through carefully before accepting,” she emphasises.

With his new role bringing him more largely into the public spotlight than his work at Infosys did, Rohini is not too worried about being thrust willy-nilly into the public glare. “I don’t think it will impact our lifestyle a great deal. Since Nandan will not be in mainstream politics as such, I see no issues about privacy,” she ends.