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'India has no right to interfere in the US politics'12 June, 2001: Former president TiE, Kanwal Rekhi, exhorted people to takes risks and believe in themselves. He painted a positive picture for the infotech industry and soothed frayed nerves by reassuring them that the worst is behind us.
Vivek : we'll get on his case in 6 mins... Ravi : How long does it take currently for a new H1 to be processed Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I have no idea how long does it take to H1 processed. itsallaboutmoney : Please tell me it is all about money? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : It can never be all about money. Money matters and is needed to make things happen but it is not enough and definitely all that matters. meera : where the hell is he??????? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Meera, where are thou? Yahoo : How often do you go to India? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I was in India 4 times in 99, 6 times last year and have been there 3 times this year. Yahoo : What is the biggest problem in the economy right now? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I do not see any big problems at this time. This downturn is the mildest I have seen in last 34 years. Unemployment is my real test for the recessions. It inched up to 3.2 % last week.I remember 10+%. I have not seen people without jobs for 6 months yet. Yahoo : Mr. Rekhi, are you surprised at how big TiE has become? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : No. I would have been surprized if it had not. It is a right type of organization with a right message for the right time. I would be worried if it did not resonate with Indus people at this time. Protund : Mr Rekhi, I must say you are doing a pioneering work in helping the entrepreneur. I am a researcher working with an exciting model for developing software for healthcare - specifically to provide decision support to the doctors to enable them to make better decisions. If I have to consider starting a company to develop products/services based on the research, what steps do you think I should take? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Just jump in and figure out as you go. Sitting on the side intellectualizing is not the way to go. Jay : Kanwal, are you going to become TiE president again? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I have given it 5 years and they have been wonderful 5 years.Tie has to be bigger than any of us and it is time for others to add their perspective. Vivek : Mr. Rekki, do you know of any US funds that are investing in the US and leveraging indian IT services for their investees' benefit? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I am sure there are. I thought e4e was focused on that. Protund : for the above mentioned project, can i seek the help of TIE. I am based in USA. Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : You have to avail yourself of what resources TiE offers. Burden is on you. Jay : where is the next TiE chapter going to be? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Denver, Dubai, nj : Do you have an idea when INS will issue guidelines for green card, if they fail to adjudicate the I485 applications in 180 days? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I am unable to keep up with details. You should keep up with ISN website. Murali has been doing a super job on the behalf of all immigrants. Vivek : Yes e4e is one and i have heard of connect capital and westbridge - what are their respective strenghths in your judgement? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Time will tell. I don't want to pass any judgement.Incidentally, a new and immature market, new and immature entrepreneurs and new and immature VC's is where it started last year. Experience is being gained rapidly. Yahoo : have you lost $$ in the stock market? What's your net worth? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Nasdaq giveth and nasdaq taketh away! You will have to be genius and prescient to have not lost any money. Jay : Mr. Rekhi, you are an inspiration to all entrepreneurs. Congrats on your success. I have one question - when you came to U.S. what was the one dream you had? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : India of 60's is India of now. It was very stifling there. we were just escaping and hoping to survive! sudipto : Kanwal what is the future of Hitech Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : It is very early in the day for the high tech industry. My money will be on technology. What we have are minor bumps in the road. Vivek : Has "indian IP" matured to the point of justifying early-stage tech investing in India or is the US still a better bet on balance? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : India is maturing fast but it has a way to go to come any way near US. sudipto : Kanwal what will be the new technology areas to focus your resourses on Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Internet ofcourse. Not dot coms though.I am not focusing on investments at this time in my life. srujan : Could you provide us with your insight as to which technology sectors might lead the road to recovery from the current economic scenario? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I think it is going to be the enterprises buying again. Enterprise infra-structure software is what I think drives every thing else.Last mile problems will have to be fixed before consumers drive it. Jay : Do you have confidence in new entrepreneurs or those who have been there, done that, with new ideas? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : New entrepreneurs are fair bet. a one time failed entrepreneur is a good bet as he has twice the fire in the belly. A previously succesful entrepreneur is a poor bet as he loses touch with reality. Mrcedes, european vacations, delegation, needing a bigger fix to get high are the issues. sudipto : Well where do you draw the line between Internet and Dot.com Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : foolishness of no need to produce revenues, building empty brands should need no put downs any more. Internet startup helping improve prodyctivity are the wave of the future. hello : What sort of advise would you give an analyst at an investment bank during these slow markets? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Monday morning qurterbacking is fun upto a point. It is time to play the game. kk : When do U think the US Economy will receover of this downturn Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I wish I knew. my sense is that worst is behind us. Gladys : Is 8:00 a.m. tomorrow ok for interview in Fremont? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : 8:0is too arly. I have earned a right not to have to wake up that early. Dev : Kanwal, who is/was your role model and why ? Thanks Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Mahatma Gandhi.He was an innovator and was able to mobilize the best and the brightest for the cause.Guru Gobind Singh for turning peasants into warriers. Shiva ji for the similar reasons. terabaap : what was your reaction when you couldnt buy a BMW 7 series in Bay Area ? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I knew end was near. vireng : do you think Indian industry can come out of "software coolies" status and have their own products. may be for indian market? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I do not buy this techno coolie theory. What a coolie? These guys are earning top dollars, learning latest technology, understanding market requirements. A subset these people are going to be next locomotives to pull the industry along. All this with no investments from GOI. Balki : Mr. Rekhi, We had met in D.C a couple of weeks ago. Hope you are doing well. Have your views on the immigration issue changed / diluted in the past weeks? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : No. US needs to respect the immigrants like it did in 60's. Its future depends on immigrants. Hari : I believe (no existentialist mystery here) that VCs are looking for real profits vs. promises of profits or gross revenues. Any words of wisdom as to what else they are looking for in funding startup internet software companies? Is VC an imprudent funding avenue to even pursue in this market? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : VC's are always looking for a large expanding market and an A team to play in it. VC model has worked too well over too long a time for too many people to be flawed. Yahoo : Do you have any good stock tips? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Buy low and sell high. Reddy : Once you refused even to enterain my phone call let alone hear what I had to say.Yet, I went on to have US Govt. FDA (Food and Drug Approval)for my system. What criterion do you use to listen to those who approach for your help directly? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I have no filters. It is only so many I can handle. It must have been a bad day. rachit : i have a H1B visa and the company is not calling me now even though i am in canada Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Times are tough! Yahoo : are people as excited about startups as they were six mos ago? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : This is the best time to do startup. Competition is not as tough as most of the riff raff is out of it. kiran : my rekhi,Why are angel investors turning their heads against those companies that they trusted earlier? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : They are out of money. Market has punished foolish investors. AAA : What do u feel about H1B holders paying Social Security(Tax) in this country ?? Is it fare ??? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : It is atrocisous! Yahoo : have you funded any startups recently? which was the last company/person you funded? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I had trouble when the dot coms took over. I started to withdraw from the market as a result. I enjoy my new life too much to get back in in investing. sudipto : Mr Rekki what happented to your dreams of Buying the IITs out?? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Privatizing IIT's is not same as buying IIT's. Do you prefer Government run institutions as against free spirited ones?Dream lives. rachit : mr. rekhi what can i do against a company which files my H1B visa and refuses to call me???????? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I am not sure what are their legal obligations. sudipto : Well why dont you create an institution as good as IITs which will produce equally good brains Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : ISB, GIST are being done. My goal is to rescue and revitalize IIT's. kiran : mr rekhi.Do you think this tiecon2001 would be a sucess as earlier ones depending on the economic condition.. Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : This is the best time to do a start up. hardcore entrepreneurs don't need green and lush pastures. TiEcon should do fine! tiecon : Mr. REkhi you have been criticized for starting a Karachi chapter of TIe. However, I think people like you and trade relations will be key to peace in south asia Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Karachi and Lahore are part of the Indus region last time I checked. Should I worry about the criticism? Yahoo : What's it like to study at IIT? What is IIT? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : IIT's are the best schools India had to offer and it was the best time of my life. Yahoo : How are the women at IIT? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : There weren't many I was there. Only half dozen in a scool of couple thousand. AAA : How would you rate Bachelor's Degree Program in Computer Science in USA with a Bachelor of Science Degree Program in India ?? I am talking about the Courses covered/Syllabus ...Rate it on a point scale of 0-to-10... Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Comparable. kiran : why is tiecon so expensively priced? I mean for software engineers to spend $350 to listen to john chambers is a bit too much..I guess for non-companies sponsored candidates the entry fee should be reasonable, that would give software engineers an ability to build contacts and listen to peers as well Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Tiecon's still lose money. Quality costs money. nanea : tiecon should have a budding entreprenuer/student prices. Right now it is too expensive for a student to attend a conference which would be very useful for him/her. Can you do something about it? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Tiecon does have a student price. It used to be leass than half. call the office. srujan : Whom do you consider to be the best Indian enterprenuer of recent times? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : There are too many to pick one. your guess is as good as mine. Dev : Re:GOI/IITKanwal, I went to IIT too. 1979. I have to thank GOI for a very cheap education that I got. I have so many lower middleclass friends who could attend IIT thanks to GOI. I must confess I haven't paid back. I think we should thank GOI. If you make it private, all the rich people will try to get in and they will. Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : It is time to pay back. Cheap education has limited the supply while increasing the demand. tiecon : Mr. REkhi I found your criticism of Bill Clinton trip to India to be quite interesting. Most of the other Indian executives blindly admire the man. Did you really cancel your trip as the rediff article said because clinton was in india Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I chsose not to go to India with Clinton twice. praveen : Mr.Rekhi, what is the need to include countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh in all the TIE events. How far does this make good business acumen and how far is this going to stand Indian software industry in good stead? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : India's future is intertwined with other countries of the region. Geographical arguement is irrefutable. Naradar : While you have used the immigration system of the US to get your kith and kin here why do you oppose other naturalized US citizens of Indian origin from doing the same? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I was coerced by my mother and I could not say no as it was not illegal and I could financially afford it.Backlash against immigrants comes when the system gets abused. srujan : Would you consider running for public office in the U.S or India? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : That would be too limiting! sudipto : Kanwal what do you do these days aprt from waking up late? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Work some more. Dev : We indians are so ignorant. All the good colleges are heavily funded by GOI and instead of appreciating once we graduate we start bad mouthing the Gov. Today You have become chartitable because you have the money( I am sure when you left India you never thought you would have this kind of money.) Don't criticize GOI. I mean the Doctors too. Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : India is a free country and thank god for that. You be the Government lover and leave me to my own opinions. tiecon : Hey Mr. Rekhi, I am not an indian but a American of Persian descent. But I have read a lot about hwat you have done for the indian entrepeneurs Are you willing to meet/mentor with non-south asian young entrepeneurs like me? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I keep my doors open to all entrepreneurs. You have to come through TiE to me though. rachit : mr. rekhi do you know some company in US that is hiring H1B guys????????? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : No praveen : Mr.Rekhi, the same argument holds true with me..when oppotunities are knocking on the doors of india, why does it make such a great decision to align with the businessmen from our geographical neighbors who do not have a foothold in the software industry. rather the feeling of a few of us, is to align strategically with emerging markets/ places where technology revolutionis happening.why doen't tiecon give good tips to government of india to focus more on emerging/potential markets rather than on weaklings? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Tiecon is focused on entrepreneurs. We do other things to refocus Govt of India. Ajay : Kanwal Have you read India 2020: A Vision for the new Millenium. This a 20 year long term Vision which describes India future potential. Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I HAVE NOT. I am a great believer in free entreprize and free spirit. I discount most of these plans as feel good documents. Protund : Are the chat responses being edited?I see that part of what Mr Rekhi said about Bill Clinton is now missing !! Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I hope not! Harsh : Kanwal, where do you see the 'software consulting' business in the US headed (for the Indian cos.)? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Future is very bright. Winners have already emerged and there is not going to room for new entries. Tadi : Hi Kanwal,I am from IIT and IIFT working for a Fortune 20 here in US. This is about the Immigration policy. Dont you think the US Govt. should process the EB applications faster. Like Labor takes painful time then comes the I140, then I485... Dont you think they should make it much more simpler and less time consuming. I am going through the pain now. Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : There is no constituency for the immigration among the electorate. That makes the policy making random. Dev : Yes, INdia is free country. You got cheap education and came here with excuse of no future. You used INdia. I am in INdia by the way Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : You need to grow up. debonair : :-) Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : :-( debonair : Rekhi is it true that 80% H1B professionals are exploited by US companies with 100% Indian management? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Present system is rife for exploitation. Unempowered people are easy prey. sudipto : Dev are you getting jealous??? cool it baby Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Eh? Ajay : Kanwal Then You should read India 2020: A Vision for the new Millenium, because it a vision for free enterprise and not a government plan. Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Where do I find it? aaaaaaa : Mr. Rekhi, I have heard that you were also laid-off and had to move from Florida to California. How did you take the lay-off days? Were you scared? Were you determined to move ahead? Name one of the best accomplishment of your career. Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I was laid off three times. I collected unemployment checks. Looking back it was best thing that happened to me and prepared me to be on my own. vireng74 : Mr Rekhi probably U need to growup and accept that you are thankless and right now proving URself no more then a theif who stole GOI's money and is now playing badmouth against them Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : You deserve to live with yourself. hello1 : any advice on where to play the game??Monday morning quarterbacking is fun up to a point. It is time to play the game. Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Start with TiE meetings. Dev : I am not jealous, I am happy in India. I sleep well in the night because I did not use anyone. You are a hypocrite Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : OK! rBalaji : Mr. Rekhi are you involved in any kind of social activities in India or do you have any companies in India? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Define social activities.I have chosen not to be a deal oriented in India and as a result not focused on companies. debonair : Rekhi do u think Lakers will win against 76ers...( better say LA cos I am from LA ;-)))) Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Hmmm shree : Mr. Rekhi - How long do you think the layoffs would continue? Do you see more coming? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I hope not very long. jagan : Mr.Rekhi..I found your comments on Immigration quite offensive.What did you mean when you were doing Hitlerian talk about low-quality immigration and stuff. Can you clarifty please ? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : You did not read my cooments directly. You heard others attributions to me. woody7719 : Mr. Rekhi what is future of DOTCOM startup companies? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Define dotcom? the old kind is dead. aaaaaaa : Mr. Rekhi, how does one network at these TIE meetings? What would I come up to you say? I guess everybody out there comes to do make contacts. I am fresh in this industry. Is there some smart way of meeting up people at TIE meetings? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : be innovative, Develop a new line. I have heard them all before. rBalaji : what do you mean by deal oriented? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Focused on doing deals to make money India. I wanted to stay above having a conflict of interest. I had access to yhe powerful! Raj : Well Kanwal... I am a I-Banker working in New York and today I saw a quote from ex- head at Microsoft Japan, Makuto Naruke who was considered to be the right hand man of Bill Gates. He has a pessimistic view of the IT sectior and declares that the days of of strong global growth for the sector are over. Keeping this in mind, how can you be so optimistic of the technology sector... Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : He is entitled to his opinion. jkkj : Hi Mr.RekhiCan you comment on the big guys who lobbied for more visas are not concerned at all with th eplight of those very people. I agree it is business driven, but down the line they might agin lobby for more Visas if demand picks up. Should there not be a token moral obligation for these companies to atleast come out in defence of H1B workers Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Ofourse they needed indentured labour. The present regime suits them fine. They like unempowered slaves as they hold all the chips. debonair : Rekhi have u invested in CD or money market account ? I have gone for MM ..what say? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I am a risk taker to a fault! rBalaji : by social activities I mean do you throw yourself or your companies resources for betterment of people in India or elsewhere? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : What do you think I have been doing? shree : If the old kind of dotcom is dead? Please could you explain what the new kind is? What do you think would be successful in the future? What are you looking at? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Money making kind. waiting : Mr. Rekhi, With the down fall of giants like Lucent and other major companies in fiber optic components and modules sector. Do you think there is hope of a major rebound expected in this sector? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I have seen worst situations. When you are at the bottom of the world, the next step is always up. Free markets always sort these out and move on. kiran : would you ever go back and settle in india? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I am married here and love my wife too much! debonair : Gadha from Rekhi's arrogance why cant u see he is Punjabi ?? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : A very proud sikh! hello1 : is it possible to have more tie events in san francisco, instead of the valley? sort of tough for the city people to get down during the week. Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : A local leadership from SF should step forward to do a chapter there. They have three chapters in S Cal. jagan : Why don't you clarify about your stance on immigration right now ? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I am in favour of primary immigration and want them to get full respect that we got. H1B visa is an evil visa in my opinion. I am not in favor of secondary or sponsored immigration. Only sponsorship I like is of spouse and childrens and retired parents. jayeshdpatel : I want to contact venture capitalist...how can i get information about all V.A... Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Call Westren venture Cap assn in Menlo park! Yahoo : Kanwal, are you a Pakistani sympathizer??? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I am an Indian patriot and feel that Pakistan will pull us down unless we help pull them up. Yahoo : I read on rediff that you support a democratic soultion to Kashmir Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I am always for democracy. No other solution ever works for me. jayeshdpatel : , I want to contact venture capitalist...how can i get information about all V.C.. Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I am drinking tea as we speak. jkkj : Hi Rekhi,What have you learnt from the whole dot com debacle and your investments in those sector? Do you have any insight what the message we can take from a technology /investment point of view? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Fool and his money are soon parted. Laws of economics are as immutable as laws of physics. debonair : Rekhi let me know why the mag INDIA POST pumps Indian companies which aren't even worth 2 cents !! Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Beats me. rkmar : Mr. Rekhi, Is there any discount for TIECon for the laid-off and unemployed, since many ppl without jobs cant pay the big amount. Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I don't know. call the office? rBalaji : what kind of Philanthropy are you involved in India? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Too many to mention here. I do not believe in charity, I like to invest socially. My favorite is education! srujan : Which cities in the U.S (outside California) do you expect to be the next hot spots for the software industry? Where does Dallas rank in comparision? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I am not keeping track. denver, austin, look good. naveen : Hi Mr Rekhi, What is the best way to go today, technolody, Management or Bio Sciences.. Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : take your pick! vinny : Why do indians do so well abroad but they have made a total mess of their country at home? Even China has gotten ahead? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Beats me! I have been trying to figure out. sudipto : Rekhi have been able to do what you dreamt of doing when you didnn't have money. Or are you still chasing it. Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Money does not inspire any more. vinny : How couldn't India do as well as China despite being a democracy? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : The game is not over yet. debonair : Rekhi I am going to watch THE MUMMY RETURNS at 6.30 pm today..have u watched it and how is it? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : No. kiran : mr rekhi, if you are still investing in the stock market which i hope you are, what sector would you recommend people to concentrate on? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I have others do it for me it now.I am into bonds also. rkmar : Mr, Rekhi, howlong the laid-off person can stay in US to find another job. Too many answers from many sites are confusing to several ppl. Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I do not know. nanda : How is your son doing on his film project? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : He leaves in about three weeks. naveen : If I think of returning back to India to start a venture, what is your guidance regarding this?? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Go do it. India of today is an exciting place to be. vinny : Why does the US pamper China despite it being an imminent threat both economic and military, while they leave India on the sidelines despite it being a democracy? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : madam notat albright thought that was the way to go.India is looking kind of good now.I think you will see India nd US coming together because of shared values. nanda : if Money does not inspire anymore? What is the inspiration these days Mr Rekhi Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I am trying to figure out. kiran : I have heard that you do a lot of charity in India in the form of donations to IIT's etc..I really appreciate it, although would be more appreciated if you could help organizations like CRY(child releif and you) and those voluntary orgn wherein children are even deprived of basic necessities.,... I personally think that donating to a note worthy cause like this makes someone feel more contented rather than donations to IIT's .. what do you think? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Charity has to have the same appeal as any thing else. Too much needs to be done to do it all. Yahoo : who is playing the hero in taj mahal? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I do not know. aaaaaaa : Rekhi, if you would want to start the next venture.. what space would it be in? Anything specific will be appreciated. Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I am glad I am not doing it. Chiddu : Mr Rekhi, I and a friend have a small company that specializes in SCM consulting and QA solutions. I am having a difficult time trying to get an audience with a prospective customer that would really benefit from a testing tool that we partner with. They really have a need, and they haven't even invested in a competitor.Do you have any suggestion? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : It should make you wnder if the market is ready for what you have to offer. ravia : how much r u worth now? compared to bill gates!! Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Much less than I used to be. easy come easy go! kiran : Sir, looking back in your life, do you feel contented about your achievement or is there more that you long for? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I have done better than I had a right to expect. rkmar : Mr,Rekhi, How should one go about getting a great job in india or outside US? Can provide any leads or insights? Pl be specific, if you can. Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I have not looked for a job in 20 years. vinny : Isn't India putting all its eggs in one basket by focussing too much on software, shouldn't they follow the China model and try to do well in both hardware and software? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : One basket is better than no basket.The people are being trained and they will diversify when the time comes. ravia : do u think young INDIAN children born in INDIA have a future? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Future is brighter now than before. It is not what it needs to be though. srujan : What do you attribute your success to? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Pure luck. I won lottery when I got into IIT. Yahoo : Why do always donate $50K to every charity? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : A nice round number I guess. sivam : Your ideas about selective immigration into US areexteremy narrow-minded and self-serving. Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : We are all entitled to our opinions! vinny : Don't you think indian's waste too much time and energy on unnecessary disagreeemnt and bickering because they have a multipary system, while CHina gets more accomplished since they have one-party rule and have no time to fight and differ all the time? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I love democracy, messiness and all. I do not like tidiness of the authorataian systems. Our system will be more stable and time will tell about theirs. hello1 : Do you think that this will happen? A local leadership from SF should step forward to do a chapter there. Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : This is how chapters have happened elsewhere. vinny : Do you agree with the fact that any welfare project in India whether it be in education or technology will fail because the burgeoning population undoes the effect of all progress. India will have 1.6 billion people by 2025. How will that fare on all fronts? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I do not believe welfare works. I am too much of a free marketeer to believe in the govt run boondoggles. rkmar : Sir, how is your friend Sabeer Bhatia doing in his next venture. Dont ask me to ask him......pl Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : ask him. sudhir : Mr Rekhi, your advise to budding entrepreneurs Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : there is never been a better time to be an entrepreneur, especially for an Indian one. nanda : Mr Rekhi,Do you have any plans in the governance in either INDIA or the US Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I am doing my bit already. naveen : What do you think is the future of Manpower consulting in the US I mean if one wants to start a body shop... Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Bodyshopping is not going to be as profitable in the future. girija : What do you think of the market,will it bounce back? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : They always do. sudhir : Ever thought of settling in INDIA? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I can only dream. I love it here too much now. Premal : Do you think we have reached a bit saturation in IT Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : NO, not at all. we are in a pause that refreshes. vinny : How come with all the software talent India has there are only two or three Indian companies that share the same standing as US bigwigs like CISCO or IBM? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Too early in the game to say that. Jai : Do you have any plans to fund a conventional softawre company run by 3 professionals Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I am through with that phase of my life. been there, done that. Premal : How can we make India what US is now Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Turn it lose! get rid of the socialistic mindset. let Indians compete. sudhir : Whenever I think of doing something new I find out it has already been done. Your advise to me? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Arrive early next time. vinny : Why has India fared so poorly after 50 years of independence while countries like Japan became economic powerhouses in just fifty years after being totally destroyed at the hands of the US? Has democracy failed India? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : India has done wonderfully on the political front. It was not the democracy that failed India, it was the leaders who used democracy to suppress Indians. democracy is finally working and delivering the goods. wait for a decade or more! gg : how come you're answering to all and sundry... Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I am getting tired! girija : What happens to all the H1b..?Do you think they will have to go back as soon as they are laid off..? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I am not sure US wants them to go back. They need them here. System needs to work this out. Yahoo : you are called the godfather. have you seen the movie 'the godfather'? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : yes. you want to kiss my ring? vinny : How will India fare with emerging software competitors like Ukraine, Phillipines, Israel and Russia, who will undoubtedly take a bite out of India's pie? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : If India is not able to compete with a head start then shame on them.i think they will come out on top though as the industry is run by entrepreneurs and not babus. Jai : What is the future wave in your opinion Mr.Rekhi Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I don't know. Jai : What will you advise if one has to start a company in the IT field NOW. Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Be patient. shree : Mr. Rekhi How do you think the Recruiting industry would fare in the future? Do you think it is good career option? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I do not know what you mean by recruiting industry? headhunting has always been up and down. vinny : Many military experts and thinktanks believe India will most linkely disintegrate not withstanding the burden of its population and internal strife? Do you agree with that prediction? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : They are just dreaming. I travel to India all the time and I see it at peace with itself.India has defied all predictions in the past. remember after Nehru who? banyan tree theory? Premal : Well we as Indians are Hyprocrites, Will keep the House clean inside but don't care outside, same applies when we are in other country, when we have succedded outside we won't let the same benefits be reaped by over fellow country men Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : I am not sure this is universally true. You would not have TiE then. naveen : HI Mr Rekhi, What kind of ventures are successfull in India today, I mean developing software for local Market doesnt seem to work well, I have to go outside India to get the work... and money.. Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : It is early in the game. Local markets will take time to develop. random : Hi Mr Rekhi, are you from Hostel 7 (IIT Bombay)? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : yes. cowboy : why doesnt India lobby to clear H1B problem.. S/w is a big chunk of our exports. Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : India has no right to interfere in the US politics. Jai : How does one participate in your recent crusade in favour of Non - Immigrant workers Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Join ISN. jimmy : politicians are selected by people, why not say people failed themselves? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : People are correcting it now. Politicians controlled mass media in the old days, remember? jk33675 : Mr. Rekhi why is not TIE having any connections with the Indian School of Business ? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : Two different things. cowboy : what is ISN?? is there a web site.. how to join it? Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : http://www.isn.org Mr. Kanwal Rekhi : i am done for the day.
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