Kolkata - IT & Business Parks

[NiladriG]

http://www.anandabazar.com/9bus1.html

Infosys says they won't go ahead without SEZ tag.

বিশেষ আর্থিক অঞ্চলের (এসইজেড) তকমা ছাড়া এ রাজ্যে তারা যে কোনও ভাবেই প্রকল্প গড়বে না, তা আরও এক বার স্পষ্ট করে দিল ইনফোসিস। শনিবার কলকাতায় দাঁড়িয়েই এ কথা জানিয়ে গেলেন সংস্থার কো-চেয়ারম্যান এস গোপালকৃষ্ণন। আরও জানালেন, রাজ্যের শিল্পমন্ত্রী পার্থ চট্টোপাধ্যায় ক’মাস আগে বেঙ্গালুরু গিয়ে ইনফোসিস কর্তাদের সঙ্গে কথা বলে হাতে হাত মিলিয়ে সমস্যা সমাধানের কথা বললেও তার পর থেকে কাজ কিছুই এগোয়নি।
ফলে সব মিলিয়ে নতুন সরকারের নীতির জটে ইনফোসিসের প্রকল্প ঘিরে অনিশ্চয়তার মেঘ আরও ঘন হল। এটা ঠিক যে পশ্চিমবঙ্গ থেকে প্রকল্প গোটানোর কথা এ দিনও সরাসরি বলেননি গোপালকৃষ্ণন। সরকারি ভাবে তেমন কিছু তাঁরা মহাকরণকেও জানাননি। কিন্তু পরিস্থিতি যা, তাতে ইনফোসিস বিদায়ের সম্ভাবনা প্রবল বলেই সংশ্লিষ্ট মহলের মত।
শনিবার প্যান-আইআইটি সম্মেলনের ফাঁকে ইনফোসিসের প্রকল্প নিয়ে সাংবাদিকদের প্রশ্নের উত্তরে গোপালকৃষ্ণন বলেন, “এসইজেড তকমা ছাড়া প্রকল্প গড়া সম্ভব নয়। আমাদের বাকি কেন্দ্রগুলিও এ ভাবেই তৈরি।” মাঝে এক বার কথা উঠেছিল, দেশের বাজারের চাহিদা মেটাতে কলকাতার প্রস্তাবিত কেন্দ্রটি ব্যবহার করতে পারে ইনফোসিস। তাতে এসইজেড তকমার প্রয়োজন হবে না। গোপালকৃষ্ণন কিন্তু এ দিন স্পষ্ট জানিয়ে দেন, সেটা সম্ভব নয়।
ইনফোসিস কর্তাদের সঙ্গে বৈঠক করতে কয়েক মাস আগে বেঙ্গালুরু গিয়েছিলেন শিল্পমন্ত্রী। আলোচনার পর দু’পক্ষই জানিয়েছিল, হাতে হাত মিলিয়ে সমস্যার সমাধান খোঁজা হবে। সেই বিষয়টি আদৌ এগিয়েছে কিনা জানতে চাওয়া হলে গোপালকৃষ্ণনের উত্তর, “কিছুই হয়নি।”
গোপালকৃষ্ণনের এই সব মন্তব্যের পরিপ্রেক্ষিতে রাজ্যের শিল্পমন্ত্রী পার্থ চট্টোপাধ্যায়কে প্রশ্ন করা হলে তিনি বলেন, “গোপালকৃষ্ণন আমার বিশেষ বন্ধু। ওঁর সঙ্গে কথা বলেই যা বলবার বলব। তবে আমি চাই ইনফোসিস এ রাজ্যে থাকুক।”
সংশ্লিষ্ট দফতর সূত্রে অবশ্য খবর, আপাতত যা পরিস্থিতি, তাতে এসইজেড নিয়ে নিজের অবস্থানেই অনড় থাকবে রাজ্য। বস্তুত, এসইজেড নিয়ে তৃণমূলের ঘোষিত অবস্থান থেকে যে কোনও মতেই সরে আসা হবে না, সেটা বারবার স্পষ্ট করে দিয়েছেন খোদ মুখ্যমন্ত্রী।
রাজ্যের তথ্যপ্রযুক্তি শিল্পমহলের পাল্টা প্রশ্ন, ইনফোসিসই বা নিজেদের ব্যবসার নীতি পাল্টে এসইজেড তকমা ছাড়া প্রকল্প গড়ার ঝুঁকি নিতে যাবে কেন? বিশেষ করে বর্তমান পরিস্থিতিতে। যেখানে গত কয়েকটি ত্রৈমাসিকে তাদের আর্থিক ফলাফল প্রত্যাশার ধারেকাছে যায়নি। এবং তার সঙ্গে যুক্ত হয়েছে আমেরিকা, ইউরোপের নড়বড়ে অর্থনীতি।
এসইজেড তকমা না-হলেও তার তুল্যমূল্য আর্থিক সুবিধার ব্যবস্থা ইনফোসিসকে করে দেওয়া যেতে পারে বলে রাজ্য সরকারের বিভিন্ন সূত্রে বলা হচ্ছিল। গোপালকৃষ্ণন কিন্তু এ দিন বলেন, “এখনও পর্যন্ত এ ধরনের কোনও প্রস্তাব আমাদের কাছে আসেনি।” তা ছাড়া ঘটনা হল, এসইজেড তকমা থাকলে যে সুযোগ-সুবিধা কেন্দ্র দিতে পারে, তা রাজ্যের পক্ষে দেওয়া অসম্ভব। কারণ, পরিষেবা কর, শুল্ক, কোম্পানি কর ইত্যাদিতে ছাড় পায় বিশেষ আর্থিক অঞ্চল। যা দেওয়ার এক্তিয়ার রাজ্যের নেই।
তবে রাজ্য জুড়ে লগ্নি-খরার মাঝে ইনফোসিসের প্রকল্প যে ভাবমূর্তি শোধরানোর কাজে আসতে পারে, তা তৃণমূল সরকার বিলক্ষণ জানে। কিন্তু সংঘাত বাধছে তার রাজনৈতিক অবস্থানের সঙ্গে। যা বদলাতে কোনও ভাবেই রাজি নন মুখ্যমন্ত্রী। এই অবস্থায় ‘এসইজেড তকমা দিতে না হয়, আবার লগ্নিও না-যায়’ গোছের রাস্তা হাতড়াচ্ছে রাজ্য। কখনও কেন্দ্রের কাছে পরোক্ষে আর্জি জানানো হয়েছে, রাজ্যের আবেদন ছাড়াই ওই তকমা দিয়ে দেওয়ার জন্য। আবার কখনও বলা হয়েছে সরাসরি এসইজেড না-বলেও সমতুল্য সুবিধা দেওয়ার কথা। শাপুরজি-পালোনজির জমিতে প্রকল্প সরিয়ে আনা নিয়েও জল্পনা হয়েছে। ইতিমধ্যেই এসইজেড তকমা পাওয়া ওই প্রকল্প তৈরি করতে আর আগ্রহী নয় শাপুরজি-পালোনজি। কিন্তু সেই পথেও বিশেষ অগ্রগতি হয়নি।
এসইজেড ছাড়া অন্য কোনও পথে অগ্রগতির সম্ভাবনা যে ক্ষীণ, শনিবার তা স্পষ্ট করে গেলেন গোপালকৃষ্ণন।

[arindam_laketown]

Can anybody get me a job in IT in kolkata...looking to get back to kolkata 4 nostalgic reasons!!!! it will be 3 yrs next mnth I left d city.....!!

[anan355]

Originally Posted by arindam_laketown

Can anybody get me a job in IT in kolkata...looking to get back to kolkata 4 nostalgic reasons!!!! it will be 3 yrs next mnth I left d city.....!!

Now this is a tough thing....I am out of the state for 9 years and I know how difficult is this one....

On top of that, I am hearing a new trend for the last 1 year....that recruiters in Kolkata will not give you a call if your resume reveals that are working outside the state....I dont know why.....whether this is a term dictated by the hiring managers of the service companies....to avoid relocation cost......or they feel that "baaire theke bhalo poribesh e kaaj kore eshe ekhaner ei politics e adjust korte na pere paaliye jaabe"

I keep on hearing that CTS, Wipro and IBM does walkin but never give call to people from outside the city....of late I am hearing that trend about Ericsson also.......

The good news that I heard is RS Software is recruiting BI professionals and paying nicely.....Lexmark is recruiting Java Professionals in good numbers and paying handsomely......

[Rajarshi77]

I know a lot of people who cribs about lack of work culture in Kolkata. They also mention that it was mistake they came back. So if somebody wants to relocate to Kolkata pl check with your friends what kind of culture you can expect back here. Also make sure you are ok in making those adjustments.

[BengaliTiger]

Hiring in Kolkata grows 16%

Kolkata, Dec 12 (IBNS) India Inc continues to witness bleak hiring sentiment but contrary to overall trend there is a streak of optimism as hiring activity for Kolkata moves up by 16% in Nov-12 over Oct-12, according to Naukri Job Speak Index.

http://www.indiablooms.com/BusinessD...ils121212h.php

[anan355]

Originally Posted by Rajarshi77

I know a lot of people who cribs about lack of work culture in Kolkata. They also mention that it was mistake they came back. So if somebody wants to relocate to Kolkata pl check with your friends what kind of culture you can expect back here. Also make sure you are ok in making those adjustments.

I went there for a year in 2007 and returned back in 2008.

Some of the key things that I had observed there:

1. Managers would openly rebuke and shout at the engineers in floor in plain Bengali , instead of showing some professional attitude. A simple thing like taking the engineer to a conference room and asking him why is his deliverable slipping seem to be a very big expectation.

2. Many team meetings happen without sending a meeting invite in Outlook . The culture is team leads or managers would ask "Ei Ke kothai Achhis ...chol....meeting kori".....

3. Even in presence of non-bengalis, in many team meetings , conversation happens in Bengali. They ask the non-bengalis that are you getting the point and the poor fellows have to comply ( in case they are junior members). This was really shocking. I did not expect this non-cosmoplitan culture in a metro city.

In office, talking in English, seems to be a big thing, in Kolkata software industry !!!!

4. Some strange expectations are there. If a team member buys an Innova and his manager / team lead is driving Maruti Swift..... an ego clash would start. I was really surprised at this childish attitude. You cannot buy a car which is more costly than what your boss is driving !!!!!. In case you do that, be prepared to face the consequences.

5. If a guy reports to office at 9 / 9:30 and leaves at 6: its a grave mistake. Team members would start feeling that the guy is having fun. Even if you do not have any work, its better to leave office post 8:30 or 9 in the night. Monthly 4-5 times, if you stay back till 2 in the night, higher-ups would come and say....."Dekhechhis...chheleta bagher bachha...ki kaaj kore !!!"

6. There is no open door policy. If you are fed up with your manager and go to your director / senior director and complain, nothing will happen. Your manager will be the first person to know that ( through their higher ups) and start torturing you further.

7. If you argue with your boss on any issue, your boss is not going to take it sportingly. He will take this as an ego issue. He likes a "yes-man".

..... These are the things which I saw and also enquired and came to know that this culture is omnipresent at least in TCS, CTS, Wipro and TechM. I was seriously surprised at such high levels of non-professionalism and lack of maturity at the manager / senior manager / director level.

I would really be happy if somebody contradicts me and tells this is not the attitude / culture that exists.

I am not sure about the culture of Ericsson/ Lexmark / Ixia and the few product companies that exist in Kolkata.

[anan355]

Another Point:

This is similar to what I mentioned about buying a costlier car than your boss.

Suppose your boss is staying in Barasat or Howrah or Garia or any such not-so-glamorous place and he comes to know that you have bought a flat in South City or Ballygunge Circular Road or Mandeville Gardens, danger howe jaabe.

Even if you buy, you have to tell, "ota amar baba kinechhe..... ba kenar somoy baba poisa diyechhilo...."

You cannot even tell to your boss.....that you have made a decent money by doing stock trading or speculation in real estate or any other side activity and then bought the flat. You have to prove that just because you are fortunate ( because of inheritance or any such issues) and you got the money and could buy the property.

That was so...so ... so....childish.

[mountaincloud]

Originally Posted by anan355

danger howe jaabe.
[/I]

bangali-r chh(n)ichkepona ar gelo na.

[anan355]

Originally Posted by mountaincloud

bangali-r chh(n)ichkepona ar gelo na.

+1.

There are people staying in a company for 10-15 years at a stretch and they try to form a lobby of their own. Not many people change jobs as well.

Notun lok hole kauke kono kotha mon khule bola jaabe naa....ke kaar agent....you never know..... suppose a guy tells that he is preparing for CAT or GMAT....perhaps within a day.....entire floor will know that.....

Ajob typer "Tel-Baji" aar "Yes-Boss" culture. !!!!!

[newkolkata]

I work in the IT sector too .Even I also sometimes think of relocating to kolkata as most of my near and dear ones live there but given theproblems listed above I feel Kolkata is not even an inch of what it is like elsewhere.2-3 months back I switched job and was unable to complete a task,the manager instead of rebuking me infront of my juniors,took me to meeting room.I work in Noida but I am in a fix whether I should look for job in kolkata due to the pressure from my relatives or simply drop the idea.

[anan355]

Originally Posted by newkolkata

I work in the IT sector too .Even I also sometimes think of relocating to kolkata as most of my near and dear ones live there but given theproblems listed above I feel Kolkata is not even an inch of what it is like elsewhere.2-3 months back I switched job and was unable to complete a task,the manager instead of rebuking me infront of my juniors,took me to meeting room.I work in Noida but I am in a fix whether I should look for job in kolkata due to the pressure from my relatives or simply drop the idea.

I am expecting a reply from the people working in software industry in Kolkata.

[NiladriG]

Originally Posted by anan355

Another Point:

This is similar to what I mentioned about buying a costlier car than your boss.

Suppose your boss is staying in Barasat or Howrah or Garia or any such not-so-glamorous place and he comes to know that you have bought a flat in South City or Ballygunge Circular Road or Mandeville Gardens, danger howe jaabe.

Even if you buy, you have to tell, "ota amar baba kinechhe..... ba kenar somoy baba poisa diyechhilo...."

You cannot even tell to your boss.....that you have made a decent money by doing stock trading or speculation in real estate or any other side activity and then bought the flat. You have to prove that just because you are fortunate ( because of inheritance or any such issues) and you got the money and could buy the property.

That was so...so ... so....childish.

Not childish, that's freaking pathetic. Those people should be pitied and made laughing stock (outside office).

[CalcuttaChromosome]

@Anan

Here is my reply......

My story is completely opposite to what u have said. I have 4 years of experience in IT and among that 2.5 years in Pune. I was fed up and was so frustated there that I searched for a IT job in Kolkata for 1 year(when I had 1.5 yrs exp) and joined PwC here. Recently I changed job and joined Accenture and life has been very hectic since then but much much better compared to what it was in Pune. I became suicidial. Believe me, I left PwC only because I had to relocate to some other location for some months. I got offer from 3 companies but joined Accenture as Accenture Kolkata is still in its nascent stage and I want to be a part of it as it grows.

What I want to point out is, although I agree to the fact that Bengalees like gossiping and we invest some time in doing gossip, but to me, productivity matters most. When I was in Infosys Pune (Infosys is known for the most stringent policies) and seemingly inside the best work culture. But does sitting and staring the computer and surfing net helps in more productivity? But this is what happens according to me in other areas. People are always in time, following strict guidelines (ramgorur chhanas) and doing nothing. If this is what work-culture means, I am blessed to be in Kolkata where we invest some time in chatting and relaxing amidst delivering. I work keeping the earphone plugged in and then chat and laugh with my hearts out, because that helps me unwind. That helps me keep the IT pressure.

I believe in productivity (be it with intermittent cha break), not obeying rules blindly just for the sake of it and doing actually nothing or less.

Advice to people who want to relocate to Kolkata, if you are onw of those ramgorurer chhanas who don't talk don't laugh and only stare at the pc surfing net (which your boss misunderstands as your sincerity), then Kolkata is not your place. If you also want to relax and enjoy in between, Kolkata is the best place to be in. But do work, while u work, don't pretend. Don't mix up things.

[CalcuttaChromosome]

Originally Posted by anan355

I am expecting a reply from the people working in software industry in Kolkata.

I don't believe this. I drive a brand new Swift Dzire ZXI and my manager comes by bus. I give him a ride often. There's no hard feeling. We are pretty good friends. I think what you are saying are one-off incidents that happen everywhere. In my previous company also the manager was even better. In Pune there was a south indian manager who only used to back south indian team-members. I think it will be good for Kolkata if we stop promoting Telegraph like negative news based on some one-off incidents.

[anan355]

Originally Posted by CalcuttaChromosome

I don't believe this. I drive a brand new Swift Dzire ZXI and my manager comes by bus. I give him a ride often. There's no hard feeling. We are pretty good friends. I think what you are saying are one-off incidents that happen everywhere. In my previous company also the manager was even better. In Pune there was a south indian manager who only used to back south indian team-members. I think it will be good for Kolkata if we stop promoting Telegraph like negative news based on some one-off incidents.

Dude....its music to my ears.

Good to hear.....at least Accenture is there where the work culture is perhaps better till now.

I sincerely hope that its not because of the small workforce size ( I think Accenture Kolkata is still having less than 1000 employees)

Man...I had wanted to relocate to Kolkata....before leaving....I looked for options in other companies and had enquired a lot.....but still had to leave....

Dude....this is not about spreading negative news.....I am the person who have recently opposed negative news of Telegraph in SSC.....this was the experience I faced.....and also got the feedback from multiple other guys in the city......

If that becomes a one-off thing, nobody would perhaps be happier than me.

[anan355]

Also....no where I think.....I criticized about chatting in between work....I had altogether different points.....

[CalcuttaChromosome]

Yes, I know that :-) So was equally surprised to hear these from you.

I didn't single out Accenture. In PwC also work culture is fine. PwC culture is rather homely when compared to Accenture/Infosys.

Accenture Kolkata is growing quite fast.

Sometimes chatting loudly, coming late to office become the primary reason of bad work-culture. Kolkata has both, but I personally don't believe in coming to office at 09:00 AM sharp in the morning even there is no work. If that means bad work-culture, so be it. I rather like to adjust my timings optimally according to project's need. Bengalees(specially bangals) are by default very loud, at home also, isn't it? So if a manager is bangal, it is not his fault rather ;-)

Regarding hearing same thing from others, people take pride in maligning Bengal, we don't understand we are hitting nail to our own coffin slowly but surely, by this. In Accenture induction program one Disaster Management guy simple told 'As u are in Kolkata, bandhs/strikes will be frequent....blah blah'. I was paranoid hearing that, I had no microphone infront of me, that only spared him on that day. I controled myself from counter-attacking him y saying that I am staying in Kolkata for last 2 years and when did the strike happen other than 30th June, that was Bharat Bandh and the effect was much more in other states.

So, Kolkata center is not even 2 yrs old and that guy is already taking prode in showcasing a past issue. What else we expect. People in other cities cover up their fault/shortcomings in one or the other way. Chennai people, just to get a project in Chennai center start maligning Kolkata in front of client, so that client doesn't want the project to be held from Kolkata. We need to pro-actively spread the positive news. If a news is negative we need to show that in a positive way in a public forum. Then only Kolkata can be saved.

[Stranger99]

Originally Posted by arindam_laketown

Can anybody get me a job in IT in kolkata...looking to get back to kolkata 4 nostalgic reasons!!!! it will be 3 yrs next mnth I left d city.....!!

Dont ever think of doing so....if u do so that would be the biggest mistake of ur life. I did it by taking transfer from Chennai and now i am paying the price. Its not only about ur work or work culture but also for the future of ur next generation the situation is getting darker day by day. Now i am trying to get out of this mess but finding it extremely tough.

[soumyajyoti]

Originally Posted by anan355

I went there for a year in 2007 and returned back in 2008.

Some of the key things that I had observed there:



4. Some strange expectations are there. If a team member buys an Innova and his manager / team lead is driving Maruti Swift..... an ego clash would start. I was really surprised at this childish attitude. You cannot buy a car which is more costly than what your boss is driving !!!!!. In case you do that, be prepared to face the consequences.

5. If a guy reports to office at 9 / 9:30 and leaves at 6: its a grave mistake. Team members would start feeling that the guy is having fun. Even if you do not have any work, its better to leave office post 8:30 or 9 in the night. Monthly 4-5 times, if you stay back till 2 in the night, higher-ups would come and say....."Dekhechhis...chheleta bagher bachha...ki kaaj kore !!!"

6. There is no open door policy. If you are fed up with your manager and go to your director / senior director and complain, nothing will happen. Your manager will be the first person to know that ( through their higher ups) and start torturing you further.

7. If you argue with your boss on any issue, your boss is not going to take it sportingly. He will take this as an ego issue. He likes a "yes-man".

Absolutely true...and sorry that I could not contradict you. I came back to Kolkata couple of years back and this is the attitude that pinches me every now and then. Although I am not from the IT industry. I have highlighted points 4 5 6 and 7 because that is what I find most alarming and experience as well.

[Avik]

Hi All. Am new to this thread. Have been following all conversations regularly.