People can’t stop talking about the phenomenal success of Suhas Gopinath, the world’s youngest CEO. This twenty year old runs Globals Inc which is based in Silicon Valley and has offices in 11 countries. Well, few know that this youngster wants to move base to India even though he has had some bad experiences here.
As a boy of 14 when he was refused permission to register his company by the government of India because he was too young. That was why he had to go to California…and soon came to known as the world’s youngest CEO.
It is not just the Indian government who was doubtful of his capabilities. Indian companies too had little faith in him. Says Gopinath:
At 14, when I opened my first portal and started offering IT services. I sent emails to various companies to offer my services. Indian companies didn’t show much interest, but a US based company sent visa and tickets for me. They offered me a job. It was a tempting offer for a middle class boy like me. But I never wanted to settle down in the US and become an NRI. I told them I wanted to be an independent entrepreneur. I opened my own company here with their back up and took help of a friend in the US. Now my company does the same work for them that they wanted me to do,” says Mr CEO who names Michael Dell and Bill Gates as his idols.
And this year Gopinath is doing something that has again caused a disapproving eyebrow to be raised in India – he is all set on opening a branch in Lahore, Pakistan, by September this year. He has already held discussions with the Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz. Apparently Indian companies are not allowed to set up shop in Pakistan…but then Global Inc is not an Indian company…at least not yet.
Oddly enough, Gopinath holds no grudges against the Indian government or India for giving him a hard time. He recounts an humiliating experience he had once with humour…when a security guard in India refused to let him enter a conference where he was supposed to address the top CEO’s of Bangalore.
Actually we shouldn’t be too suprised at this patriot’s intentions to shift to India. Inspite of setting up a successful company at such a tender age, he remains an idealist at heart. This was the same kid who turned down an offer from a Fortune 500 company which had offered him a $ 2000 weekly pay cheque, a chauffer-driven car and an apartment!
I sincerely wish that all those who left India give her another chance. Come back with a forgiving attitude. India is going to open up a whole new world of opportunities in the coming years and there is a lot of work to be done. India needs people like you. Those who have seen how the world works.
February 1, 2007 at 1:46 pm
Many Indians dug their root and moved away from homeland seeking fame and fortune.
Not all found what they were looking for.
Many yearns for their motherland.
Hoping to return home when circumstances permit.
Holding on to their nationality, against all good sense and advice,
to be able to book that return ticket.
Life moves on.
Reluctant or otherwise, new roots are let down.
Time moves on.
The roots grow deeper and stronger, pinning them down to the foreign soil.
Their roots left back in India withers and dies.
Mr Gopinath is an exception.
He has achieved at a very young age, what many have struggled to get in a life time.
And a bigger number have failed.
He is young, his Indian roots must still be very strong.
India herself now welcomes back her prodigals,
she has not been so kind to everyone.
Few got that second chance.
Mr Gopinath is the fortunate one.
He has the means and the will to create the second chance for himself.
What have I achieved?
Nothing much.
What have I done for my motherland?
Nothing much either.
Except, that I have regularly put in a small contribution
of foreign currency into her coffers so
she can avail herself of the energy
she so vitally needs
to sustain life for herself
and her children who stayed at home.
Nothing much I admit,
but still something.
February 1, 2007 at 7:20 pm
I thought we had changed after liberalization. We need to be more liberal. Can’t help wondering how many people report to Mr Gopinath since titles can be misleading. We do need more people like that since titles can mislead.
February 1, 2007 at 8:33 pm
Hiren, I believe that about 400 people report to him.
February 1, 2007 at 10:20 pm
Wonderful article! Good to know such people and learn from them. Another “Guru”?
February 2, 2007 at 7:25 am
I see no exhortation for the government to lighten up. Is the individual expected to be ‘patriotic’ and compromise at all levels?
February 2, 2007 at 9:28 am
No expectations really because we are all human! I guess there are a whole load of complex reasons for Gopinath to want to come back. There are probably issues that we are not aware of. However on the face of it, it is impressive.
February 4, 2007 at 7:25 pm
People like gopinath are an inspiration for the budding entrepreneurs in India.
February 27, 2007 at 7:10 pm
I FEEL PROUD TO HAVE AN ANTERPRNEUR LIKE GOPINATH FROM THIS BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY,BUT I ONLY WISH THAT WE ALSO LEARN TO GIVE EVERYONE A CHANCE ALWAYS..HOWSOEVER YOUNG THEY MAY SEEN SO AS TO PROVIDE THEM WITH THE SAME OPPORTUNITY WHICH SOME FOREING COUNRY GIVES THEM..WE SHOULD ALWAYS BE READY TO ACCEPT NEW THINGS IN LIFE..
March 22, 2007 at 10:28 am
the source of inspiration one can look up to.
its sure an exception, considering the age, but not to ignore the fact that one has to make it as soon as possible if not that…..
October 8, 2007 at 11:51 am
He is going to be a real rollmodel for all of us..i wish him all the best and good luck for his future…
October 9, 2007 at 7:59 pm
I truly appreciatethe decision of shifting the HQ to india…He is a wonder boy if somehow i get a chance to meet him i ll be very glad…some day i do want to become an entreprenuer like him,i am not joking….
June 5, 2008 at 10:11 am
He is going to be a real rollmodel for all of us..i wish him all the best and good luck for his future…
March 30, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Today i read few more things about Gopinath sir.The only thing i would like to say is “heartful of salute”.I am not able to understand how he manage all his work.He is my role model.I am really inspired by his work and want be entreprenuor.Good luck for your work and awaiting for your work in India.