We have been in Nagpur for the last three days. These have been busy days among family and friends. Both Sudha and I grew up here so we have lots of family and friends here. This is where we met and got married. We both went to schools and colleges here and went through all the things that young people used to do in this city. So there are lots of memories here.
Nagpur is growing like most other cities in India. Lot of new construction going on everywhere. The city has grown in every direction. Something unique about Nagpur is its cleanliness and quality of roads compared to other cities in India. About 4 years ago, the city was cleaned and beautified. It started looking like a new city. Unlike most other places that do not maintain their roads and cleanliness well, Nagpur has maintained it. It is an example that Indian cities don’t have to be messy and filthy. Even with its growth, it is maintaining the quality. That is very impressive.
Though Nagpur is growing, it is far from a high-tech city. I am staying in one of the most expensive hotels – Centre Point – but there is no Internet facility here. Suzi had to send some mail and the material was on her USB drive and she could not do it despite visiting two cybercafés. I am involved in a IT outsourcing company – Lambent Technology – here that is the most prominent high-tech company. I got involved because I wanted to see such activities in Nagpur. Shashi and his team has done great job in building this as a local success. But at the national level, Lambent has a long way to go.
I run into many people here who want to do things in Nagpur and make it a great place. Yesterday I was contacted by Prasad Dhurjati to discuss formation of an ambitious biotech research university here. It is truly a small world – possible smaller in places like Nagpur. Prasad was discussing his plans with a group and said he wished Ramesh Jain were in town to bounce-off ideas and somebody who overheard him said “He is and I can track down a telephone number for him� and he hid. I was really surprised when contacted because I could not imagine that somebody will get my telephone number (a new one that I got for Sudha) within hours of my getting the number.
It is the biggest city in central India and a big trading center. Now, a big Airline Hub is likely to come here – which is starting with a cargo-hub. This is already resulting in attracting some important national players here. Some International flights have already started landing here. So this place may be in for growth.