Dr. Kiran Karnik
About
Dr. Kiran Karnik is a prominent Indian administrator chiefly known for his work in broadcasting and has been a guiding force behind the Indian outsourcing industry. He is known for his significant contributions to the growth and development of the Indian IT industry.
In 2001, Karnik was appointed as the President of NASSCOM, the premier trade body for the IT and BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) industry in India. During his tenure, he played a crucial role in shaping and guiding the industry through a period of rapid growth and globalization. He focused on strengthening India's position as a global IT hub and worked towards creating a favorable business environment for the industry.
He has had such a diverse professional career that it’s difficult to box him into a single category. He has worked for 20 years at the Indian space research organisation (ISRO), launched Discovery Channel and Animal Planet in India. As the president of Nasscom between 2001 and 2008, helped promote India’s IT capabilities worldwide.
He has authored a large number of publications and occasionally lectures at major national institutes. He is a self-described ‘public non-intellectual’ and a graduate of the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad.
He has worked briefly with the United Nations in New York and Vienna, serving as Special Assistant to the Secretary-General of UNISPACE 82. He has done an extended consulting assignment for UNESCO in Afghanistan, and has also been a consultant for the World Health Organization, The World Bank, UN Institute for Disarmament Research and the Ford Foundation.
He is currently a member of the Scientific advisory council to the Prime Minister and is also the chairman of the governing body of HelpAge India, the leading non-profit organisation working for the elderly across India.
He is also serving as the director in the central board of directors of Reserve Bank of India and 79 is also the chairman, board of directors, of the Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, Delhi (IIIT-D).
Under Kiran Karnik's leadership, NASSCOM played a pivotal role in advocating for policies and initiatives that supported the growth of the IT industry. He actively engaged with government officials, industry leaders, and international stakeholders to promote the interests of the Indian IT sector and enhance its global competitiveness. He also championed initiatives to improve industry standards, promote ethical practices, and foster innovation and research in the IT sector.
Awards and Accomplishments
Awards and Accomplishments
Karnik is widely respected for his expertise and deep understanding of the IT industry and has been recognized with several prestigious awards for his contributions. In 1998, the International Astronautical Federation awarded Mr. Karnik with the ‘Frank Malina Medal for Space Education’. His deep involvement in the Kheda Communication Project, won him wide national and international acclaim, including the first UNESCO-IPDC prize for rural communication.
He was one of the ‘Stars of Asia’ in 2004 and was selected as Forbes magazine’s ‘Face of the Year’ in 2003.
He was awarded the ‘Padma Shri’, the fourth highest civilian award in 2007.
Why Dr. Kiran Karnik ?
Kiran Karnik’s tenure as President of NASSCOM came to an end in 2008, but his impact on the Indian IT industry continues to be felt. His leadership and advocacy have played a crucial role in establishing India as a global IT powerhouse and have contributed to the industry’s remarkable growth and success. Karnik’s dedication, strategic thinking, and commitment to the advancement of the Indian IT sector have earned him a prominent place in the history of Indian technology and business.
