BS People: Aninda Moitra

Moitra returns to head Applied Materials

Aninda Moitra’s appointment as President of Applied Materials, India, gives him an opportunity to assume his first official assignment in his motherland. Moitra had left India for a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Minnesota after which he did an MBA from Columbia University in New York. Moitra, who loves to take on new challenges and grapple with risk, is now preparing to head the US-based company’s second-largest Research & Development base.

Moitra’s top responsibilities include overseeing alignment, coordination and execution of the business, operational and strategic activities in a booming economy. A strong believer in India’s potential, he hopes the vibrant economy in India and the government’s plans for setting up the National Solar Mission will fuel Applied Materials’ growth.

The enhancement of the India R&D centre by making it do more high-end work and create more innovation is also on Moitra’s agenda. With his experience in the US, Moitra also understands the importance of partnership between industry and academia and is charting new paths for the same in India. The company has already partnered with IIT-Bombay, one of the elite technology institutions in the country. Prior to joining Applied Materials, he was the vice-president and account General Manager in the Silicon Systems Group.