Hi Rajiv, Is Nasscom also looking at GNU/Linux and Free/Libre and Open Source Software? Or, all all the initiatives focussed on proprietorial software? The latter approach could be self-defeating. FN

On Tue, 15 Jul 2003, Rajiv Vaishnav (NASSCOM) wrote:

Nature NASSCOM SME FORUM (Western Region) Chair : Ganesh Natarajan

==> May 13th : Launch of SME Forum in Pune

==> June 28th : Spot The STAR SME event in Pune

==> July 8th : Launch of SME Forum in Mumbai...

==> July 26th : Spot The STAR SME event in Mumbai (Details to follow)

A Report :

" Laheron se takraye oose tufan kahete hain, par tufano se takraye oose Insan kahete hain !!"

Tufan....that was exactly the scene at 6.00 pm on July 8th. It was pouring, roads were flooded and the traffic leading to MIDC was not willing to move... and inspite of all these, there were close to 60 SMEs came for the launch of NASSCOM SME Forum in Mumbai.

Mr. Ganesh Natarajan flown in from Pune. The Nasscom Team was in full blow. Mr. Kiran Karnik, President, Sunil Mehta, Head-Research , Sangeeta Gupta, VP and Rituraj Nath were present.

Mr. Kiran Karnik in his opening welcome remarks emphasised the need for the large companies and the importance of SMEs for the growth of overall industry. He shared Nasscom's vision for SMEs and the initiatives already in place for SMEs. Mr. Karnik congratulated and thanked Mr. Natarajan for championing the cause for SMEs in Nasscom Western Region. Mr. Karnik said that the forum was "OF the SMEs, BY the SMEs and FOR the SMEs" and that Nasscom would organize programs based on their need.

Mr. Ganesh Natarajan shared a few moments from his memory lane...and explained how people like Mr. Ashank Desai of Mastek, who started as a small four member team could grow to become an Indian MNC in just a couple of years. He shared his experience with BluChip and Sara Infotech....Mr.Natarajan also shared Zensar's experience in working with SME Partners. He made a presentation on the concerns of SMEs, issues that were shared by Pune SMEs and the success of Pune events. He also informed the group about the proposed future events.

Mr.Ashank Desai, who was on the expert panel in 'Spot the STAR' SME event in Pune, expressed his appreciation for organizing such an event. He said in 1988, when NASSCOM was formed, it was 40 odd SMEs (by today's definition of SMEs as companies below Rs.50 crores) who came together and today you see many of them in the TOP 20 IT Companies of India. Mr.Desai said that during early '90s there was no such mentors and domestic market opportunity. It was therefore important for an SME to utilize such forums and participate actively.

The floor was open for discussion. Few concerns / issues that were brought out were :

� IPR

� Patent registrations

� Quality certification or training - Cluster approach

� Funding - to help showcase SMEs to get funding

� Mentoring - to create a panel of mentors

� Domestic Market opportunities

� Product companies and their scales

� Segregate SMEs as per verticals and not as per geography

Mr. Natarajan requested SMEs to volunteer in various groups and help NASSCOM to take the initiative forward.

The meeting ended with the Vote of Thanks.

NASSCOM SME Forum - dedicated to the advancement of SMEs.

For further details please contact rajiv@nasscom.org

Rajiv Vaishnav

Regional Director (West)

NASSCOM

O: 2823 48 44