The quiet catalyst

Dr Singh demonstrated that effective leadership stems from competence, integrity, and a genuine concern for the welfare of all

- S RAMADORAI

Planetarium hall in Mumbai in June 1994, it signalled India's commitment to creating world-class financial infrastructure. As part of the TCS team that was actively involved in building this trading platform, I witnessed firsthand how this transformed our financial markets. Dr Singh's vision then was as grand as I would witness later while working closely with him. The NSE would eventually become the world's third-largest stock exchange, handling millions of trades daily through its satellite communication system connecting hundreds of cities. The platform has exceeded all parameters, with remarkable growth in trading volumes and market capitalisation.

The year 2004 was significant, as Dr Singh took over as Prime Minister, and it was also the year when TCS went public. As TCS grew from strength to strength, I had the privilege of meeting him on numerous occasions. Each discussion with him was rich in content and substance. His vision of technology as a tool for inclusiveness and democratisation was evident in our conversations. He consistently emphasised the importance of building at scale while ensuring no one was left behind.