• When you were going through this turmoil, you were obviously very conscious of the fact that the view that the media, the rest of the country, the rest of the world was getting of the Indian IT sector was the view from one side of the fence when, as they say, the bull is on the other. Isn’t it? Because you’re so much bigger than the others, than Infosys, Wipro, and yet the anonymity. Was it self-denial?

I don’t think it was self-denial of any sort. When we were an unlisted company the attention of the media was minimal. Even if you wanted to say something about your achievements, like a project you’re won or delivered...

• But internally, among your younger employees, was there some impatience, Why do my parents not know, my friends not know?

Absolutely. The younger people were saying, How come nobody wants to look at us, how come nobody wants to write about us? What is the problem with us? Even though we talk to the media, why is nobody communicating? The only question we got asked, and I’m sure a lot of internal people asked it, is, Why have we not gone public? That’s the only way to get visibility.

• The other question must have been why you were not sharing your wealth with your staff, in the manner that others were in the IT business.

I think somehow given the Tata value systems, very few people really asked, Why is the wealth not being shared?

... contd.