MUMBAI, Jan 30: Times are changing and the information technology (IT) industry in the country is keeping pace. Not to be left behind in the race for being associated with power, two IT-savvy persons are leaving no stone unturned to get there.One is none other than the great grandson of Mahatma Gandhi and the other the media savvy executive director of Nasscom, the apex body of the software industry. And what better occasion for both Tushar Gandhi and Dewang Mehta to get their act together than the Bombay Computer Club's monthly bash at the Bombay Gymkhana on Thursday.
While Gandhi is contesting for the Lok Sabha seat from the north-west Mumbai constituency, Mehta is using his clout to whip up support for as many as three different candidates across different political parties in the true spirit of a global industry sector that he represents.
"I am basically an Internet freak and that is the reason why I am here. Friday, the 50th death anniversary of Bapuji will see a website(http://www.mahatma.org.in) on him being inaugurated," Gandhi said.
In fact, Gandhi with the support of a few IT industry chiefs has already kicked off a campaign on the Internet to drum up support for the Mahatma to be named the Time man of the century.
"It is true that I would never be able to get out of his shadows. It is definitely a big advantage to be the grandson of Bapuji. One has only heard stories about him from my grandmother but there is a need to have good people to be in politics and that is why I am here", Tushar Gandhi said.
Support is already pouring in from various quarters of the information technology industry, as corporate big-wigs gathered around him to first inform him that they stayed in his constituency and then announcing that they would vote for him.
"If I can do anything for you...arrange some vehicles....do let me know", said the chief executive of a leading computer firm.
And even as Gandhi moved across the lawns, a dimunitive Dewang Mehta was busy discussing politicswith the rest of the gathering. Sources close to him said even though he is not contesting directly he has decided to canvass for some of his friends and allies.
These include Gandhi, who is a Samajwadi Party candidate in Mumbai, the BJP in Gujarat and the Telugu Desam Party chief N Chandra Babu Naidu in Hyderabad. With this kind of a move, irrespective of whoever comes to power, the IT industry seems to be a sure shot winner with a byte of political power.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
