In Conversation with Naveen Jain.....

At C-DAC, the name Naveen Jain is well known, recognized and respected. Having been with C-DAC for almost a decade, his experience and expertise has benefited C-DAC in multiple areas including in the areas of training, project development and R&D activities. The otherwise reticent Naveen Jain spoke to
C-DAC Connect on issues related to C-DAC –his thoughts and opinions and about himself.
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How and when did you join C-DAC?

NJ: I completed my M.Sc (Physics) in 1986 from Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), and was awarded a gold Medal at the hands of then Prime Minister, Mr. Rajiv Gandhi. I completed my MCA from AMU in 1989.

In 1989, I joined the Sri Lal Bahadur Sanskrit Vidyapeeth, New Delhi in the "Computer Assisted Sanskrit Teaching and Learning Environment (CASTLE)" project as a programmer. I joined the TDIL Program of the Department of Electronics in 1990, as a member of SCL.

I joined C-DAC in November 1991, as Member Technical Staff, at the Delhi Centre.

What have been your role, functions and activities in C-DAC?

NJ: My first assignment was that of co-coordinating the TDIL Program. I was then the only member monitoring this program. There were 21 projects being developed in a number of institutions all over the country. I had to monitor all the projects technically and financially.

In 1994, we took up the responsibility of setting up the Delhi Centre of the Advanced Computing Training School of C-DAC.

Since 1997, I have been co-coordinating and managing all activities of the Training School as well as the Project development and R&D at Delhi Centre of C-DAC. Presently, I am designated as Group Coordinator, ACTS and R&D at C-DAC Delhi.

What motivates you to work in C-DAC and what kind of opportunities do you see in working here?

NJ :The prime motivation comes from the open environment and support from the Executive Director and my seniors. Also, being a small center, in terms of the number of members, C-DAC Delhi has a family environment. Interpersonal relations are excellent, and this sets a good example of teamwork.

In view of the current upsurge in the IT sector, the number of opportunities is only limited by our own motivation and efforts. If we do put in a little more resources, this center can contribute immensely towards the realization of C-DAC’s vision.

What kind of future do you foresee for C-DAC and how do you think, C-DAC should go about making use of the opportunities that technological developments have thrown open?

NJ: During my interaction with different clients in various organizations, I found that there are a large number of new projects in different areas related to IT that C-DAC can undertake. C-DAC has a very good reputation in IT, and there is no doubt about the technical capability of the team members in C-DAC. We should perhaps put in some more resources in the development team at the Delhi Centre, and significantly boost our efforts on the marketing front.

Which or what has been the most challenging assignment or work you have undertaken here?

NJ: All the assignments that I have worked on, have been very interesting and challenging. However, if I were to pick two from them, I would say, the setting up of the Advanced Computing Training School in Delhi, and the development of the Hospital Information System were the most challenging.

When we started ACTS in Delhi, C-DAC was not well known in the IT industry, particularly in North India. We started the Centre at about the same time that IIT Delhi, barely 5 Kms away from us, had tied up with the private industry for a similar course. Also, Delhi boasted of the largest number of IT course centers in the country. We not only withstood the competition, but would like to think that we did a lot better than the competition.

The second assignment was to look after the R&D projects, especially the Hospital Information System (HIS) Project. This project was done for SGPGI, Lucknow. This was our first and as yet the most complicated project done away from home. The operation of the hospital is entirely based on C-DAC’s HIS, with users ranging from laboratory attendants, storekeepers, dieticians, nurses to doctors, to name a few.

Have you ever felt like looking beyond C-DAC for opportunities?

NJ: My assignments and projects have always kept me too engaged to be able to look beyond C-DAC.

What is it that you enjoy the most about working here?

NJ: The flexibility and the work culture, coupled with opportunities to learn new technologies.

Do you feel C-DAC is a unique organization, and if so how?

NJ: C-DAC is a unique organization is several ways. To begin with, as far as I know, it is the only society of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology that has integrated R&D and Business operations so successfully, as to have been able to develop technology of the highest order, such as the PARAM & language related products, and also generate a business of over Rs. 70 crores in the past year.

C-DAC is also unique for the work environment that it has, particularly, when contrasted with the functioning of other Government institutions.

C-DAC is also uniquely poised to make it big and successful in the IT sector, due to its wide foundation of high-performance computing, language technology, training courses and other expertise.

If there was one thing you could have changed about C-DAC, what would that be?

During last year I have noticed that many members have left C-DAC. Although this is very common in the IT field now, we need to examine the reasons why each member leaves. It is not always that every member leaves just for monetary benefits. There are other reasons too.

The one thing that I would like to do is find the reasons and do whatever is necessary to retain our excellent manpower.