The idea is hardly new in India – indeed Lalit Kannodia, charismatic founder and chairman of Datamatics Pte Ltd of Bombay was talking earnestly about it as long ago as 1979 – but the concept of establishing satellite links to the US and Europe so that Indian programmers and analysts can work for foreign firms without having to emigrate now has the backing of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. The official blessing is being given in an effort to stem the drain of Indian programmers migrating to the US, reports the Wall Street Journal. Under the proposed scheme – and Indian red tape means that from official backing to consummation is usually a very long process indeed. But the idea is that US firms will be able to use the links to send routine software design specifications to Indian programmers for writing and coding. After development and testing it will then be sent back to the US. This is expected to reduce the amount of time US companies spend on programming schedules, thus cutting programming costs. It is hoped that the system will stem the flow of Indian computer whizzkids to the West, where they are often paid less than half the salary of their US associates. A satellite link already exists between Texas Instruments Inc in Dallas and its Bangalore facility, and another one is proposed between Boston, Massachusetts, and Poona, Western India. The total cost of this linkup is estimated to be $20m. Both countries see the facility as a means to promote their software; the US hopes to extend its market to other Asian countries and the Soviet Union, while India aims to persuade the West of its of its software expertise.
