PBD Guest Interview: Srikanth Valleru. Shrink govt sectors, expand private sectors, bring India to the top!
PBD Guest Interview: Srikanth Valleru
Shrink govt sectors, expand private sectors, bring India to the top!
India stands among the top 10 countries in the world, but the country still needs to tackle its shortcomings and especially corruption to emerge as a self-dependent super power. Sharing this thought, Sr. Vice President, Chief Information Office and Chief Digital Officer at Nabors Industries, Houston, TX, USA, a multi-billion dollar public company, Srikanth Valleru sees the scope for India to be on the top and Indore to definitely make its mark in the world.
Born to Indira and Subbaiah Naidu Valleru, Valleru is an inspirational role-model and what makes him more special is his strength and ability to deal with pain. “My elder son Manas Valleru passed away (4 years ago) at the age of 25 and the pain is unexplainable,” he said.
While the grief never ends, he paid the ultimate tribute to his son’s life by starting ‘My Manas Foundation’ a not for profit (NGO) in the name of his son to offer education in rural and blue-collar areas in India and scholarships in USA.
Following are his views on various issues:
1. Where does India stand amongst developed countries today?
Shrink govt sectors, expand private sectors, bring India to the top!
India stands among the top 10 countries in the world, but the country still needs to tackle its shortcomings and especially corruption to emerge as a self-dependent super power. Sharing this thought, Sr. Vice President, Chief Information Office and Chief Digital Officer at Nabors Industries, Houston, TX, USA, a multi-billion dollar public company, Srikanth Valleru sees the scope for India to be on the top and Indore to definitely make its mark in the world.
Born to Indira and Subbaiah Naidu Valleru, Valleru is an inspirational role-model and what makes him more special is his strength and ability to deal with pain. “My elder son Manas Valleru passed away (4 years ago) at the age of 25 and the pain is unexplainable,” he said.
While the grief never ends, he paid the ultimate tribute to his son’s life by starting ‘My Manas Foundation’ a not for profit (NGO) in the name of his son to offer education in rural and blue-collar areas in India and scholarships in USA.
Following are his views on various issues:
1. Where does India stand amongst developed countries today?
Srikanth Valleru: From a global perspective it is in the top 10.
2. What are the strongest sectors of Indian economy?
Srikanth Valleru: Agriculture and IT/BPO (driving other sectors)
3. What should India do to become self-dependent and a super-power?
2. What are the strongest sectors of Indian economy?
Srikanth Valleru: Agriculture and IT/BPO (driving other sectors)
3. What should India do to become self-dependent and a super-power?
Srikanth Valleru:
1) Grow private sector and shrink government (show citizens that private jobs are as good as government jobs)
2) Implement term-limits for positions for public leaders, like MP, CM, PM, etc.
3) Address corruption and bureaucracy (nothing is easy to do)
1) Grow private sector and shrink government (show citizens that private jobs are as good as government jobs)
2) Implement term-limits for positions for public leaders, like MP, CM, PM, etc.
3) Address corruption and bureaucracy (nothing is easy to do)
4. What are the life changes that one experiences while moving from India to a western country?
Srikanth Valleru: 35 years ago when I moved, there were many challenges like food, friends, culture, entertainment, etc. Preserving the roots of our culture was one of the challenges as we wanted to expose our western-born children.
Even English language was a challenge. We learn British English here, while many developing countries are adapting to American English.
In India, depending on where you come from, there are multiple cultures. Many times, these cultures are easily exposed when you are abroad. As an example, someone living in Indore learning about the culture differences from Kerala, Odissa, etc. is much more difficult than being in Houston learning about them. Indians come together to celebrate in western countries.
Even English language was a challenge. We learn British English here, while many developing countries are adapting to American English.
In India, depending on where you come from, there are multiple cultures. Many times, these cultures are easily exposed when you are abroad. As an example, someone living in Indore learning about the culture differences from Kerala, Odissa, etc. is much more difficult than being in Houston learning about them. Indians come together to celebrate in western countries.
5. How is India progressing as compared to the world?
Srikanth Valleru: From an outside view, it is progressing well. If you see from within India, the growth is limited to tier 1 and tier 2 cities only. Highway infrastructure and airways are better now.
Srikanth Valleru: From an outside view, it is progressing well. If you see from within India, the growth is limited to tier 1 and tier 2 cities only. Highway infrastructure and airways are better now.
6. How do you see Indore as opposed to when you were staying here?
Srikanth Valleru: I am not originally from Indore. I was brought up in AP and after my B.Tech, I left to US in 1987. I visited MP (Indore and Bhopal) 6 years ago for the first time. I chose Indore to move in as one of the growing tier 2 cities in India with education hub. I realized this city has much more potential than many other tier 2 cities. Indore needs to be much more organized to grow properly.
Srikanth Valleru: I am not originally from Indore. I was brought up in AP and after my B.Tech, I left to US in 1987. I visited MP (Indore and Bhopal) 6 years ago for the first time. I chose Indore to move in as one of the growing tier 2 cities in India with education hub. I realized this city has much more potential than many other tier 2 cities. Indore needs to be much more organized to grow properly.
7. What are the strong points of Indore to be a Smart City?
Srikanth Valleru: Education industry. Many students in Indore are from near-by villages around. Many of them do not want to go to other cities (away from their families or their families do not allow them to go far). If the industries from here, there is a large pool of workforce to take advantage and become a great Smart City.
Srikanth Valleru: Education industry. Many students in Indore are from near-by villages around. Many of them do not want to go to other cities (away from their families or their families do not allow them to go far). If the industries from here, there is a large pool of workforce to take advantage and become a great Smart City.
8. What changes would you bring to Indore?
Srikanth Valleru: Develop the areas that brings the jobs, like IT. Give our local students jobs.
Develop city with specific industry focus, like WhiteField in Bangalore for IT and HITECH City in Hyderabad, where it is not only offices, but also for the workforce. Also, Indore need to be part of a major railway junction.
Srikanth Valleru: Develop the areas that brings the jobs, like IT. Give our local students jobs.
Develop city with specific industry focus, like WhiteField in Bangalore for IT and HITECH City in Hyderabad, where it is not only offices, but also for the workforce. Also, Indore need to be part of a major railway junction.
9. Do you think Global Investors Meet will help Indore get bigger exposure on world map? How do you think it will help?
Srikanth Valleru: Yes, it does. But only if we focus on large industries and investments.
10. Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh claims that Indore will be much bigger and more developed than Bangalore and Hyderabad in next 10 years. Is it possible for Indore to do so in just one decade or it's just a daydream?
Srikanth Valleru: Not sure how this is possible. If we want to develop like Bangalore or Hyderabad, we need high paying white-collar jobs here, not blue-collar jobs only. Most of the current plans are related to blue-collar workforce.
Srikanth Valleru: Yes, it does. But only if we focus on large industries and investments.
10. Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh claims that Indore will be much bigger and more developed than Bangalore and Hyderabad in next 10 years. Is it possible for Indore to do so in just one decade or it's just a daydream?
Srikanth Valleru: Not sure how this is possible. If we want to develop like Bangalore or Hyderabad, we need high paying white-collar jobs here, not blue-collar jobs only. Most of the current plans are related to blue-collar workforce.
11. What’s your success mantra?
Srikanth Valleru: Do the right-thing all the time. Not taking an easy path (short-cuts), but a path that gives long-term success.
Srikanth Valleru: Do the right-thing all the time. Not taking an easy path (short-cuts), but a path that gives long-term success.
12. What’s your advice to young Indoris who want to expand their business globally?
Srikanth Valleru: First learn about India and how to grow within. With the diversities in India, you can see that each state as its own country, in many cases with their own regulations and controls. Once you learn to work with other states within India, it is easy to expand globally. Second, when you think global, look from the customer and their local perspectives (learn their regulations, lifestyle, understand their needs) before you get excited about expanding.
Srikanth Valleru: First learn about India and how to grow within. With the diversities in India, you can see that each state as its own country, in many cases with their own regulations and controls. Once you learn to work with other states within India, it is easy to expand globally. Second, when you think global, look from the customer and their local perspectives (learn their regulations, lifestyle, understand their needs) before you get excited about expanding.
13. Do you have a memorable place in Indore?
Srikanth Valleru: Khajrana and Chappan Dukan (to take friends visiting from US)
• Must-try in Indore: Poha and Jalebi
• Message for our Readers: As NRI’s we had the opportunity to expose globally and we must give that knowledge back to the young generation in our country. As local aspiring NRI’s or citizens who wants to do business globally, take advantage of the NRI’s who are in your area and learn from them.
Srikanth Valleru: Khajrana and Chappan Dukan (to take friends visiting from US)
• Must-try in Indore: Poha and Jalebi
• Message for our Readers: As NRI’s we had the opportunity to expose globally and we must give that knowledge back to the young generation in our country. As local aspiring NRI’s or citizens who wants to do business globally, take advantage of the NRI’s who are in your area and learn from them.