Contesting elections was "big mistake", says Infosys Chairman Nandan Nilekani
Bengaluru, July 27: Infosys Chairman Nandan Nilekani on Saturday admitted that contesting the 2014 Lok Sabha elections was a "big mistake" he made in his life.
"Standing for elections was a big mistake I have learnt in life," said Nilekani in an interview to ET NOW business channel here.
Resigning as Chairman of the state-run Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) which gives Aadhar identity card to Indian citizens, Nilekani had joined the Congress in March 2014 and contested on its ticket from the high-profile Bangalore South Lok Sabha constituency. However, he had lost to BJP's Ananth Kumar by a margin of over 3.2 lakh votes.
Though Nilekani continues to be a Congress member, he has not been active in politics since then.
He was one of the richest candidates in the country then, having declared assets valued at a whopping Rs 7,700 crore in the affidavit along with his nomination to the Election Commission.
In a candid interview to the business news channel, Nilekani, 64, said he preferred reading and thinking than using apps in daily life.
"I am actually a technologically illiterate when it comes to consumption of technology. I am more appless now! Prefer reading and thinking over using an app!" he said.
On productivity hack which worked for him, Nilekani said he does not follow cricket, Bollywood and politics.
Asked which entrepreneur he admires, the technocrat plumped for Microsoft Chief Executive Satya Nadella.
"What he has done at Microsoft is astonishing. The company is a trillion-dollar market cap today. It did not do well in the mobile era but got back in the cloud. He is emphatic and a very thoughtful leader," said Nilekani.
The 51-year-old Indian-born Nadella succeeded the Seatlle-based global software product firm's founder CEO Steve Ballmer and worked for over two decades with its founder Bill Gates.
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PM leads mega roadshow in Sikkim, to attend celebrations marking 50 years of statehood on Tuesday
Gangtok (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi led a mega roadshow in Gangtok on Monday evening after arriving in Sikkim to attend the closing ceremony of 50 years of statehood celebrations.
Modi, who wore a traditional Bhutia cap and a Lepcha coat, was received at the Libing helipad by Governor Om Prakash Mathur and Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang.
From the helipad, the PM began the roadshow, which concluded at Lok Bhavan, where he will stay overnight.
On the open vehicle, Modi was flanked by CM Tamang on his left and state BJP president D R Thapa on his right.
Large crowds lined the roads for hours, waving national flags and waiting to catch a glimpse of the Prime Minister.
As his convoy moved slowly through the city, people broke into celebrations. Some enthusiastic supporters chanted "Modi, Modi, Modi", while a few women were seen showering flower petals in his direction.
Modi acknowledged the cheering crowds by waving continuously.
Tamang was also seen urging the gathered people to cheer for the PM during the roadshow.
The route of the roadshow was decorated, with arch gates erected at several points and large cut-outs of Modi placed along the roads.
On Tuesday, Modi will visit the Orchidarium in Gangtok. To commemorate the golden jubilee of Sikkim's statehood and showcase the state's ecological and floral heritage, the 'Swarnajayanti Maitri Manjari' Park has been developed as a world-class Orchid Experience Centre.
The PM will also participate in the closing ceremony of Sikkim's 50th statehood celebrations at Paljor Stadium, where he will unveil development projects worth over Rs 4,000 crore.
The projects cover several sectors, including infrastructure, connectivity, healthcare, education, power, urban development, environment, tourism and agriculture.
Modi is also scheduled to address the gathering on the occasion.
He was expected to attend the opening ceremony of the year-long celebrations last year, but could not reach the venue due to inclement weather. However, he addressed the event virtually from Siliguri in neighbouring West Bengal.
Tamang later thanked the people for giving the grand reception to the PM during the hour-long roadshow in the state capital.
"With immense fervour and heartfelt enthusiasm, the people of Sikkim accorded a grand and resounding welcome to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji on his arrival in Gangtok," he said in a social media post.
Tamang said people from all walks of life gathered in large numbers to greet him, reflecting the deep respect and warm affection the people of Sikkim hold for his leadership.
"It was indeed an honour to join him during the roadshow and witness the overwhelming love and support of the people firsthand," he said.
