11
for the magazine, at a princely fee of Rs. 600!
Surya
also became the precursor to a torrent
of writing that emerged from the pen of Dewang Mehta, giving voice to his thoughts,
beliefs and actions.
He used his writing skills as a powerful tool to preach the bible of InformationTechnology
to an India that was gradually awakening to the digital world. From opinions and columns
in the country’s leading and business dailies, to special supplements on the Indian software
industry in well-known international journals such as
Red Herring
and
Business Week
—
Dewang Mehta’s editorial repertoire was as rich as it was varied.
At the last count,Mehta had written hundreds of articles for Indian and global publications.
Even in this prolific mélange of words, he remained faithful to Gujarat. His series of
thought-provoking articles on IT for
The Times of India
,
Gujarat (reproduced within this
book), remained his favorite work. He would religiously take out time every week for this
series, and come hail or storm, never failed a deadline.
NASSCOM: THE UNFOLDING OF A VISION
The turning point in Dewang Mehta’s life however came in 1991 when an old-time friend
and IT industry veteran Harish Mehta offered him charge of NASSCOM, an association
dedicated to the needs of the fledgling software industry.After much thought, deliberation
and some hesitation,Mehta accepted a “three times a week”part-time assignment with the
organization that allowed him to pursue his other interests.He would smile at the memory
of how the three-day involvement, grew into a 24x7 day, all-encompassing commitment.
Of how NASSCOM became the single point of reference for him, and how, over the
years, the distinction between him and the association he mentored, blurred.
NASSCOM was clearly the most rewarding period of Dewang Mehta’s existence
—
possibly the most fulfilling, not just professionally but also personally. The organization
virtually consumed him, leaving little or no time for friendship, hobbies or even marriage.
He lived and breathed NASSCOM, and except for a few snatched moments at home, spent
with dog Naughty Mehta and long-time cook Babu, his waking hours were completely
devoted to the association.
The period between 1991 and 2001 was one of transformation and growth, for both
NASSCOM and Mehta. Each drew sustenance from the other. As Mehta grew in stature,
gaining respect within the Indian ICT sector as an industry leader, NASSCOM, too
began to evolve into an association of substance.
It wasn’t long before the body had become the key voice of the Indian software and services
segment. The industry itself began to expand beyond belief, metamorphosing into a key
