News makers:

Mr. Suresh Krishna, chairman and managing director, Sundaram Fastners Ltd. has been awarded the JRD Tata Corporate Leadership instituted by TataChem Golden Jubilee Foundation and administered by the All India Management Association (AIMA).

The award was presented to him by Mr. IK Gujral, former prime minister at a function held on Thursday. Mr. Krishna is the sixth recipient of the award, after Mr. Aditya Vikram Birla, Mr. Deepak Parekh, Mr. NR Narayana Murthy, Dr R Mashelkar and Mr. Azim Premji.

21 February 2001

MindTree reshuffle lands COO in the US
Bangalore: Mr. Subroto Bagchi, vice-chairman and chief operating officer of MindTree Consulting, has been moved from his base in Bangalore to the US, while Mr. N Krishnakumar, chairman and president is moving from the US to Bangalore.

Mr. Bagchi's move to the US, as MindTree's vice-chairman and president, enterprise business, Americas, is to increase operations, continue operating at high end of value chain and provide international thrust at building the brand.

Mr. Krishnakumar, in his new role as vice chairman and president, enterprise business for Europe, India and Asia Pacific region will be focusing on the non-US markets.
He will also look after structural issues, such as setting up alliances and creating competencies.

Presently, four out of 10 MindTree co-founders are based in the US.

20 February 2001

Mr. Mahendra Singh Tikait wants WTO scrapped
New Delhi: Mr. Mahendra Singh Tikait, a militant farmer's leader and Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) president has demanded "total scrapping of all agreements made under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) immediately" saying it was the only salvation for Indian farmers. Addressing over 51,000 farmers from different parts of the country, Mr. Tikait said: "If such immediate scrapping is not done, farmers would be forced to take direct action."

The BKU has planned a major farmer' rally in New Delhi to be held March 19 on the issue.