The anti-India rhetoric, especially from the US, seems to have become a common phenomenon whenever India seeks excellence in any competitive field. The same is the case with information technology (IT) outsourcing. The present debate in the US Senate over the border security Bill aimed at raising H-1B and LI visa application fees, calling Indian IT companies “chop shops” are examples of US’ antipathy towards India’s emergence as an IT superpower. The only way to sustain our status as the IT powerhouse of the world is to make our IT companies even more efficient, cost-effective and technologically superior. To do that, such firms must move up the value chain in the delivery of IT services. We have to reach a position where our IT companies become indispensable to the world in terms of their value offerings in all aspects. Indian IT companies are facing competition from other countries such as the Philippines, China and Latin America. The IT industry has played a great role in the accelerated growth of our country over the last decade and we must do our best to preserve our forte in this area.
Amitava Banik, Kolkata
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