After the successful absorption of Mahindra Satyam into Tech Mahindra to make the $2.7-billion turnover company, C.P. Gurnani, Chief Executive Officer, is now marshalling about 80,000 employees to achieve a turnover of $5 billion by 2015.

In an interview to Business Line , Gurnani spokes about the target, the global outlook for the industry, the rupee fluctuation and the diversification into education.

What’s the outlook for the IT industry and Tech Mahindra?

The US is clearly showing positive signs. They have lot more confidence now than they had in 2008 or 2009. With regard to Europe, stabilisation has not come back but then there is this realisation that you cannot have deficit economy forever. India needs to sort out its problems.

We had a trouble in 1991 and now in 2013. In 1991, we were facing structural challenges while the West was doing strong.

In 2013, we continue to compromise on a chance of building infrastructure, power and not to depend on coal imports.

There are certain positives, including the corrective actions being taken by the Finance Minister. I am encouraged by those actions.

Will Syria throw up some surprises on the IT industry?

I don’t think so. It is too far. But I feel that no outsider can find solutions for internal problems of a country. You have seen it in Afghanistan. How much you can do from outside?

Analysts feel that you may have to go for a big ticket acquisition to achieve the $5-billion target you have set for the company for 2015. What is your opinion?

That’s a stretch goal. We are a positive company. We are energetic. We make stretch goals and try to achieve them. We might exceed or fall short. I can only assure that is our staff try damn hard to achieve it. See the mood the company we built.

Please do not read it (the $5-billion target) as guidance (the indicative numbers the companies give for the quarters, financial year). Yes, the analysts are right on acquisitions. I’m not saying that the target can be achieved entirely organically. There will be inorganic growth. But there’s nothing that will happen immediately.

Will rupee fluctuation impact the industry?

One day it is at 68 (against a dollar) and the other day it falls. As long as it is reasonably stable, it is okay. This kind of fluctuation is not good for anyone.

>kurmanath.kanchi@thehindu.co.in

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