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Nilekani will have the rank of a cabinet minister and will head the project for creating a database of citizens.
Nandan Nilekani has stepped down as the co-chairman and board member of Infosys Technologies as he takes over as the chairman of Unique Identification Authority of India (UIADI). Nilekani, one of the biggest brands of corporate India, will have the rank of a cabinet
minister and will head the national project for creating a database of citizens. The board has accepted Nilekani's resignation, which will be effective from July 9, 2009.
Nilekani was earlier the chief executive of the company from 2002-2007. He stepped down and became a co-chairman in 2007, and was not involved in active management since then. Nilekani, with NR Narayanmurthy and six others started Infosys in 1981 and was a member
of the board since then.
Nilekani earlier co-founded and chaired the Bangalore Agenda Task Force (BATF). In 2004, Nilekani was awarded the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest Indian civilian decoration. In January 2006, he became one of the youngest entrepreneurs to join 20 global leaders on the World Economic Forum (WEF) Foundation Board.
"We are glad that an extraordinary individual like Nandan has got an opportunity to add value to India through this position. As a company that has always put the interest of the society ahead of itself, Infosys will accept his absence with a sense of duty to a larger cause, but with deep sadness at the departure of one of her most illustrious sons," said N. R. Narayana Murthy, Chairman and Chief Mentor.
The GOI has for once inducted the right man for the right job by roping in Nandan nilekani for the massive Unique Identification card project. Nandan should take a cue from the massive elotoral excercise that the Govt embarked upon a few months ago by drawing public servants from all ranks to help them out in an excercise that the entire world watched with stunned surprise. My suggestion is that he should try to take the services of branch staff of commercial banks, coopreative abnks and post office across the country to carry out this massive project after providing some basic capacity building for the identified staff. If Mr. Nandan would like me to make a blue print presentation of my idea I am prepared for it.