Simputer for hand

Hailed for his co-invention of the 'Simputer,' along with six others, Deshpande notes that the low-cost hand-held PC helps people at the bottom of the pyramid in a range of activities, from micro banking and micro credit to remittance of money from England to Ghana. The Bangalore traffic police use the Simputer, as also "Bhoomi" project officials in digitizing of agricultural land records.

Deshpande believes that innovation in technology should be encouraged in a developing country like India. He says economic development can be achieved only if we start developing more of our own products rather than be only service-oriented. "One of the sad things is the over-importance given to IT and ITES industry," he says.

Talking about how his interest in information technology developed, Despande recalls: "While pursuing my education at the Vivek Vardhini high school in Hyderabad, I always showed a keen interest in science subjects. Whenever there was a science exhibition I would always take part and win the first prize. It was then that I decided that I would do my engineering." In 1964-65 Mr.Vinay had the opportunity to study his last year of high school in the US. He was selected in a science talent search examination and awarded a study course in computers which gave rise to his keen interest in information technology.

The prestigious 'World Economic Forum' named him as one of the 100 Technology Pioneers in the world in 2001 and 2002. The Karnataka Government honored him with the Sir M Vishweshwaraiah Senior Scientist Award.

How did Deshpande come to invent the 'Simputer?' The idea took root at the first Bangalore IT.com conference in 1998, which issued the 'Bangalore Declaration.' (Deshpande was part of the organising team). The conference spoke about the necessity of using IT in developing countries. It described the "Simputer" in a concept paper.

Later, a chance meeting with the manager of a cooperative bank in Maharashtra began to nurture the idea of 'Simputer.' The manager worried about the problem of fraud by collection agents involved in the pigmy deposit scheme. If only a device could be invented to check the fraud, the bank would buy the machine, the manager told Deshpande. A similar need expressed by the chairman of the Karnataka State Financial Corporation goaded Deshpande to work with his colleagues to create the 'Simputer.'

Apart from science Deshpande's other interests include photography and movies. "I also read a lot, my favorite being David Baldacci," he says. "I used to read Ayn Rand when I was young. I also like to go walking whenever I get the time." Deshpande strongly believes that a work-life balance is important for an individual to do well. He says that one of the reasons Indians do well abroad is because of their strong family values. "People from other countries say that India is the only country with a heart," he notes.

Relating his experience of studying at Stanford University, one of the world's leading research and teaching institutions, Deshpande says it was a refreshing experience. "The Master's program at Stanford demanded a mini-thesis for which I had to do a lot of research and analysis which was an enriching experience," he says, adding: "Education and work experience outside India will be extremely beneficial and all those who can afford it should do it."

Deshpande's advice for those aspiring to be CEOs is to treat human capital as human beings and not as machines and to encourage them to think laterally and do things differently. He quips: "Everybody can do what anybody can do, but do something that nobody can do".

Talking about his wife Chhanda Deshpande, he takes pride in the fact that she competently manages the administration at Encore. The couple have a daughter who is married and a son who is working abroad to gain experience but will eventually join the company. "But he has to earn his place in the company," says Deshpande.

About India's future in information technology he confidently declares: "Mark my words, in a few years Indian products will do the rounds in the global market." As a member of the Prime Minister's IT task force, he is aware that the government is waking up to technology and pushing it.

Does Deshpande have any more ambitions? Yes, he does. He wants to make an IT product that would echo around the world. "We are about to see that happening in Encore," he says, confident that he is soon going to hear the music that he loves.

Copyright@Apex Media