'You must be willing to be destiny's child'

(June 3, 2003 – Bangalore Times)

Subroto Bagchi

Subroto Bagchi dares to dream. The last born of a poorly paid government servant's family in the tribal belts of Orissa, he did not go to school till the age of eight as there were no schools nearby. Asthmatic as a teen, his mother became blind when he was a little boy. Despite being a national scholar, he dropped out and started life as a lower division clerk in a government department at 18. Today, he is the pioneering chief operating officer and president of US operations, MindTree.

MindTree today: We have grown above industry average in terms of revenues and people. Despite the worldwide slowdown, we are seeing that many large IT spenders are seeking out MindTree as the credible face of India's mid-size segment, for our agility, attention and access. In 2003, we will see significant growth and integration.

Dividing time between Bangalore and the US: I am in Bangalore for two important priorities. Externally speaking, I spend a lot of time with customers on steering committees. The other priority is internal. I personally read the annual appraisal of every single person in MindTree and it is discussed with me and a panel that oversees people development within the company. I am part of a world-class team that is not building yet another company. We are building an institution. I like the dynamics. I have twin responsibilities: as COO my role makes me lead a transcontinental life. I literally maintain two households. (But take note: one wife).

From there to here: My early life was not easy... but you know what, I was also the best debater in school and college and was among India's first civilian para jumpers. I breakfasted with the prime minister at 17 as the best NCC cadet of the country. After a few years of working, I came to the IT industry and got to work directly with such people like Dr Sridhar Mitta, Azim Premji and now Ashok Soota. During this course I also co-founded MindTree. The IT industry took me places - it gave me the chance to be face to face with people like Larry Bossidy, Jeff Emelt, Bill Gates and Bill Clinton. If you are willing to be destiny's child, every adversity in life is a door that opens a new world.

Family life: At 19, I proposed to a girl who was 16 - who I am still in love with. Family life is as important as my work life. My wife Susmita means the Universe to me (no pun intended) and my daughters Neha and Niti treat me as siblings. It is God's blessing to have a good family life - it gives you the power to belong to the world. It takes you in; it restores you so that you can go out all over again. But you cannot take it for granted. You have to invest in it every day so that you can draw from it.

I unwind by: Photographing monuments and nature when I am by myself and between work. Getting in to my wife's kitchen and doing dishes for her when I am in New Jersey. And of course, just planning endlessly with her about the day she and I will go backpacking....