Obituary: Amit Dutta-Gupta - The passing of a Guru

Obituary

The Passing of a Guru

Infotech industry veteran Amit Dutta-Gupta's passing leaves a vacuum for the many he guided and mentored

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

NEW DELHI, INDIA: Indian infotech industry veteran Amit Dutta-Gupta passed away on Tuesday morning. He was 62.

Dutta-Gupta, chairman and CEO of Adroitec Information Systems (formerly Hope Technologies), had been a senior and mentor for many of India's technology industry leaders, during the second half of a career spanning four decades.

On August 16, 2010, Dutta-Gupta fell ill, complaining of discomfort and nausea. He was admitted to South Delhi's Holy Family Hospital after midnight, and had a massive heart attack on August 17 at 3 am. He passed away in the early hours of the morning.

He is survived by his wife Poornima; two sons, one an engineer in Gurgaon, and the younger one in an engineering college in Bangalore; a brother who is a doctor in the UK; and a married sister. Adroitec's remaining leadership team comprises Saroop Chand, Dilip Phadnis and S K Basu.

For many infotech industry veterans, Dutta-Gupta was a leader they looked up to. Mindtree vice-chairman Subroto Bagchi observes in his book that Dutta-Gupta was his mentor and guide. Says NIIT chairman Rajendra S Pawar: “We have all lost a truly humane, erudite, brilliant and witty friend who made so many of us better human beings. I have lost a very special friend.”

For CyberMedia publisher and chairman Pradeep Gupta, who reported to Dutta-Gupta at HCL, “Amitda was my first and last boss. A brilliant mind and an exceptional human being. He was always my friend, philosopher and guide.”

HP India managing director Neelam Dhawan says she learnt “most of what she knows about marketing from him. Besides a being a wonderful friend and person he was a great guru. He taught something every time I met him.”

Headstrong chairman Arjun Malhotra, another HCL and IT industry veteran, says in his tribute: “What can I say about a friend and colleague who has helped me think through some of my most difficult moments...with whom I have had the pleasure of sharing over 30 years? Where will we get another person like him who is so intelligent and innovative, yet humble, full of humanity? We have lost a giant.”

Next: A veteran's journey

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Collapse <div runat='server' id=Comm35989 class='CommentsContainer'><span class='commentsFrom' style='float:left;'>Ashok Mazumdar said on 9/7/2010 11:57:04 PM: </span><br/>Amitda was just like an elder brother to me and my entire family. He had no lust for money through unfair means. If he had wanted to make money against his inner self respect, he would have been in the league of several executives of HCL. Shiv Nadar wanted him on several occassions aftyer he quit HCL as a mentor, advisor, phylosopher, friend and guide to be just around him on all occassions. But Amitda politely refused all the offers on the pretext of saving his partners and clients, and ofcourse his own family of Purnima and his two darling sons. He never used to disturb his children's education under any costs- be it AGM of the company or anything else. Often he would refuse freinds and clients to meet during examination days of his children. He was a true lover for his wife and did every thing to please/appease her. She never wanted Amit to smoke and he left smoking as a chain smoker during 1994-5. He would, in order to please his old friends an to give a company used to smoke amy be one cigerette a day that too in toilet or else where, where she was not present. He was agreat person who had all the passions for all and sundry. He never disregarded any one at any point of time. He always used to talk too good about Arjun Malhotra's greatness and told me that he was living in (AM's) his house and Arjun never asked him to raise and vacate. He was too great for Arjun as well. During HCL days, at the time of launch of Apollo Work Station, he had a tiff with Arjun and Arjun later (after 6 months) appreciated it for not launching the same at that time. I remember, when I predicted about the second child's birth (Pablo), he simply refused to believe in me and my astrology. When both of us reached Holy Family Hospital after the child's birth, he gave all the encouragement to his darling wife, his father and his brother and said"ALL IS WELL". Poornima was being given blood as she had excessive bleeding during the delivery.

It is indeed a great loss to to all of us, who adored him as an Excellent Human Being. I still remember, during 1990, he had gone to GOlf Green with his family to meet her ailing mother i law. During that point of time the Annaprasana of my youngest sister Kajal's son was to be performed at Behala. On a just small request, Amitda came all the way to Behala and spent almost 4 hours with strange gusets, whom he met for the first time and all of them still remember his sense of intelligence and humor. I lost my father in 2008 and now it feels that I have lost my eldest brothr. IU pray to the Almighty that his HOLY SOUL RESTS IN PEACE and he watches us from the HEAVEN. My best wishes to BHOOTO and PABLO, whose real names are not known to me even now. Poornima Boudi desires all the praise for raising her two children. I would like to meet her one of these days, when I am in Delhi. <div class='CommentLineContainer'><input type=button onClick='MoveComm(35989,ctl00_ctl00_ctl00_cphMainContentSection_cphMainContentSection_cphSection1ContentPart_ThreadedComments1_txtPid);' value='Reply'/> to Ashok Mazumdar </div>

Ashok Mazumdar said on 9/7/2010 11:57:04 PM:
Amitda was just like an elder brother to me and my entire family. He had no lust for money through unfair means. If he had wanted to make money against his inner self respect, he would have been in the league of several executives of HCL. Shiv Nadar wanted him on several occassions aftyer he quit HCL as a mentor, advisor, phylosopher, friend and guide to be just around him on all occassions. But Amitda politely refused all the offers on the pretext of saving his partners and clients, and ofcourse his own family of Purnima and his two darling sons. He never used to disturb his children's education under any costs- be it AGM of the company or anything else. Often he would refuse freinds and clients to meet during examination days of his children. He was a true lover for his wife and did every thing to please/appease her. She never wanted Amit to smoke and he left smoking as a chain smoker during 1994-5. He would, in order to please his old friends an to give a company used to smoke amy be one cigerette a day that too in toilet or else where, where she was not present. He was agreat person who had all the passions for all and sundry. He never disregarded any one at any point of time. He always used to talk too good about Arjun Malhotra's greatness and told me that he was living in (AM's) his house and Arjun never asked him to raise and vacate. He was too great for Arjun as well. During HCL days, at the time of launch of Apollo Work Station, he had a tiff with Arjun and Arjun later (after 6 months) appreciated it for not launching the same at that time. I remember, when I predicted about the second child's birth (Pablo), he simply refused to believe in me and my astrology. When both of us reached Holy Family Hospital after the child's birth, he gave all the encouragement to his darling wife, his father and his brother and said"ALL IS WELL". Poornima was being given blood as she had excessive bleeding during the delivery. It is indeed a great loss to to all of us, who adored him as an Excellent Human Being. I still remember, during 1990, he had gone to GOlf Green with his family to meet her ailing mother i law. During that point of time the Annaprasana of my youngest sister Kajal's son was to be performed at Behala. On a just small request, Amitda came all the way to Behala and spent almost 4 hours with strange gusets, whom he met for the first time and all of them still remember his sense of intelligence and humor. I lost my father in 2008 and now it feels that I have lost my eldest brothr. IU pray to the Almighty that his HOLY SOUL RESTS IN PEACE and he watches us from the HEAVEN. My best wishes to BHOOTO and PABLO, whose real names are not known to me even now. Poornima Boudi desires all the praise for raising her two children. I would like to meet her one of these days, when I am in Delhi.

to Ashok Mazumdar

Collapse <div runat='server' id=Comm36033 class='CommentsContainer'><span class='commentsFrom' style='float:left;'>pulak mahajan said on 9/9/2010 5:04:37 PM: </span><br/>Was Poornima his second wife?<div class='CommentLineContainer'><input type=button onClick='MoveComm(36033,ctl00_ctl00_ctl00_cphMainContentSection_cphMainContentSection_cphSection1ContentPart_ThreadedComments1_txtPid);' value='Reply'/> to pulak mahajan </div>

pulak mahajan said on 9/9/2010 5:04:37 PM:
Was Poornima his second wife?

to pulak mahajan

Collapse <div runat='server' id=Comm36125 class='CommentsContainer'><span class='commentsFrom' style='float:left;'>sushmita sengupta said on 9/13/2010 11:05:50 AM: </span><br/>I know Amit Duttagupta professionally and personally. He was professional to the core and never ever compromised his professional ethics for any personal reason. He shared a very special bond and friendship with Mr. Arjun Malhotra and considered him as his friend philosopher and guide. He was a complete family man, a warm and loving husband to his wife Mrs. Purnima Duttagupta and doting father to his two sons, Anirudh and Arnav.

<div class='CommentLineContainer'><input type=button onClick='MoveComm(36125,ctl00_ctl00_ctl00_cphMainContentSection_cphMainContentSection_cphSection1ContentPart_ThreadedComments1_txtPid);' value='Reply'/> to sushmita sengupta </div>

sushmita sengupta said on 9/13/2010 11:05:50 AM:
I know Amit Duttagupta professionally and personally. He was professional to the core and never ever compromised his professional ethics for any personal reason. He shared a very special bond and friendship with Mr. Arjun Malhotra and considered him as his friend philosopher and guide. He was a complete family man, a warm and loving husband to his wife Mrs. Purnima Duttagupta and doting father to his two sons, Anirudh and Arnav.

to sushmita sengupta

Pulkit said on 12/6/2010 1:34:21 PM:
Where are you nowadays sweetheart?

to Pulkit

Ashok Mazumdar said on 9/20/2010 11:32:37 PM:
No. She was the first & last wife. Strange, how could such a question be raised.

to Ashok Mazumdar

Collapse <div runat='server' id=Comm35725 class='CommentsContainer'><span class='commentsFrom' style='float:left;'>sushmita sengupta said on 8/25/2010 1:48:31 PM: </span><br/>Amitda, Best People Manager and a Great Thought Leader I have ever come across…. enkindled in all of us who worship him as GURU, as to what is the priority of life…… Fame or integrity: which is more important? Money or happiness: which is more valuable? Success or failure: which is more destructive? If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never truly be fulfilled. Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you. "Nothing can be revoked or said in vain nor unfulfilled if I should nod my head." (Zeus, explaining the absolute power of his will to Thetis, the mother of Achilles)....<div class='CommentLineContainer'><input type=button onClick='MoveComm(35725,ctl00_ctl00_ctl00_cphMainContentSection_cphMainContentSection_cphSection1ContentPart_ThreadedComments1_txtPid);' value='Reply'/> to sushmita sengupta </div>

sushmita sengupta said on 8/25/2010 1:48:31 PM:
Amitda, Best People Manager and a Great Thought Leader I have ever come across…. enkindled in all of us who worship him as GURU, as to what is the priority of life…… Fame or integrity: which is more important? Money or happiness: which is more valuable? Success or failure: which is more destructive? If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never truly be fulfilled. Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you. "Nothing can be revoked or said in vain nor unfulfilled if I should nod my head." (Zeus, explaining the absolute power of his will to Thetis, the mother of Achilles)....

to sushmita sengupta

Collapse <div runat='server' id=Comm36158 class='CommentsContainer'><span class='commentsFrom' style='float:left;'>S Duttagupta said on 9/14/2010 7:39:04 PM: </span><br/>Dear Ms Sengupta
I do not know you, but I am touched by what you have done for my brother's family and the kind words that you have said.I am so happy to see that my brother was liked and respected by so many. Once again, my hertfelt appreciation.
S Duttagupta<div class='CommentLineContainer'><input type=button onClick='MoveComm(36158,ctl00_ctl00_ctl00_cphMainContentSection_cphMainContentSection_cphSection1ContentPart_ThreadedComments1_txtPid);' value='Reply'/> to S Duttagupta </div>

S Duttagupta said on 9/14/2010 7:39:04 PM:
Dear Ms Sengupta I do not know you, but I am touched by what you have done for my brother's family and the kind words that you have said.I am so happy to see that my brother was liked and respected by so many. Once again, my hertfelt appreciation. S Duttagupta

to S Duttagupta

sushmita said on 2/2/2011 12:26:59 PM:
But why arent you writing for his memoirs? I have made considerable progress on that.You must!! regards

to sushmita

Venki Kumaran said on 8/24/2010 5:05:01 PM:
I worked with Amitda during the early days of HOPE and my first job in marketing. I owe all of my marketing skills to Amitda. An exceptional individual with tons of energy and a marketing genius that I for sure shall miss.. May his soul rest in peace..

to Venki Kumaran

Ronty said on 8/22/2010 8:00:11 PM:
"Of course man is useful to man, because his body is a marvellous machine and his mind an organ of wonderful efficiency. But he is a spirit as well, and this spirit is truly known only by love." - Rabindranath Tagore

to Ronty

Collapse <div runat='server' id=Comm35689 class='CommentsContainer'><span class='commentsFrom' style='float:left;'>S Duttagupta said on 8/22/2010 6:26:12 PM: </span><br/>
Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead,
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.

He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last for ever: I was wrong.

The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood.
For nothing now can ever come to any good.

By WH AUden, and in memory of my brother.<div class='CommentLineContainer'><input type=button onClick='MoveComm(35689,ctl00_ctl00_ctl00_cphMainContentSection_cphMainContentSection_cphSection1ContentPart_ThreadedComments1_txtPid);' value='Reply'/> to S Duttagupta </div>

S Duttagupta said on 8/22/2010 6:26:12 PM:
Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone, Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone, Silence the pianos and with muffled drum Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come. Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead, Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves, Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves. He was my North, my South, my East and West, My working week and my Sunday rest, My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song; I thought that love would last for ever: I was wrong. The stars are not wanted now: put out every one; Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun; Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood. For nothing now can ever come to any good. By WH AUden, and in memory of my brother.

to S Duttagupta

sushmita said on 8/25/2010 1:56:39 PM:
couldnt agree more..he was no less than my dad..regards

to sushmita

S Duttagupta said on 8/21/2010 9:20:44 PM:
To all of you, for your kind remarks about my brother, my heartfelt acknowledgement.Dada was more than a brother to me; I am ,what I am ,solely due to his unselfish and unstinting support.Thank you, all ,once again.

to S Duttagupta

Sachin Gota said on 8/21/2010 3:54:40 PM:
I still cannot believe that Amitda is no more with us. He was the kind of person who could inspire and move a mountain. May his soul rest in peace. There can never be another person like him.

to Sachin Gota

Harsha Pereira said on 8/20/2010 12:27:14 PM:
Amitda was a great person who thought much ahead of time. The palmtops were way ahead of time in India. A great leader, an amazing orator and a wonderful human being. May his soul rest in peace.

to Harsha Pereira

P.Ravikumar said on 8/19/2010 12:04:09 AM:
I fell great pleasure that I worked under such a great person. It is very sad news and may his soul rest in peace. Regards P.Ravikumar.

to P.Ravikumar

Pankaj Garg said on 8/18/2010 11:19:55 PM:
Mr. Amit Dutta Gupta was my first boss in HCL for a shor duration. I learnt a lot from him and remember him as a very dynamic and genuine human being. My condolences to his family in this tragic moment

to Pankaj Garg

Collapse <div runat='server' id=Comm35634 class='CommentsContainer'><span class='commentsFrom' style='float:left;'>Nishish Jha said on 8/18/2010 10:07:54 PM: </span><br/>Our last meeting was in Sofitel HCL alumni gathering in 2009.Why God snatches from us the things that we adore? I kept on searching another intelligent, human, charming man like Amitda in and around but could not find one....He was to IT world like a Guru dutt Of "Pyasa" to the Indian Film world...amitda's smile will remain alive to many of us.....<div class='CommentLineContainer'><input type=button onClick='MoveComm(35634,ctl00_ctl00_ctl00_cphMainContentSection_cphMainContentSection_cphSection1ContentPart_ThreadedComments1_txtPid);' value='Reply'/> to Nishish Jha </div>

Nishish Jha said on 8/18/2010 10:07:54 PM:
Our last meeting was in Sofitel HCL alumni gathering in 2009.Why God snatches from us the things that we adore? I kept on searching another intelligent, human, charming man like Amitda in and around but could not find one....He was to IT world like a Guru dutt Of "Pyasa" to the Indian Film world...amitda's smile will remain alive to many of us.....

to Nishish Jha

sushmita said on 8/25/2010 2:34:28 PM:
I think i connect to what you have mentioned...One of the evenings, at my place, he narrated the movie Limelight.. extended autobiography…that Charles Chaplin made, the most troubled period of his adult career.Being a great orator and a story teller, the way he told us the story, everyone present had tears in their eyes at the end of it….. -Yeh Duniya Agar Mil Bhi Jaaye Toh kyaa Hai...regards,

to sushmita

Prabha Shankar said on 8/18/2010 7:35:22 PM:
We have lost a great leader, I have worked in HOPE from 1999 to 2004, and have worked for Amitda, I have learnt a lot from him, and was always more than a superior. His absence is a great loss for the entire Engineering Serivces Industry

to Prabha Shankar

Sunit Raj said on 8/18/2010 6:52:34 PM:
May His soul rest in peace and may God give enough strength to his family. It was Amit da and Dr. Atul Sahai both passed away and these people have nurtured me in Adroitec. At least i can feel lucky that I worked so closely with Amit da. I am not capable to write Something for Amit da. I recall the m oment when We lost Dr sahai in Sarojini bomb blast. Dr sahai was my Reporting Boss and liek a Brother. I was crying and i was not able to cross his chair to go to my desk. Amit da scold me to just stop crying and go back to work. He was my inspiration for strength and professionalism. His love and teachings will always be with me. Thank you Amit da..

to Sunit Raj

Neeloy Roy said on 8/18/2010 1:25:22 PM:
It still feels surreal when I saw AmitDa lying motionless next to the pyre. It seemed as if it is a bad dream and I felt as if he would wake up any moment, flash his infectious smile and tell all of us to relax, do our best and life will treat us fine. We have lost one of the finest People Managers and Thought Leaders of today. I have seen many stalwarts who could move mountains, however AmitDa was one of the very few who would simply smile, pat you on the back and inspire hundreds of people to move mountains on their own. AmitDa will be missed for a long long time and the least we could do is emulate him in our professional and personal lives. God Bless Boudi and the children and give them the strength to cope with this loss.

to Neeloy Roy

Siladitya Sen said on 8/18/2010 1:23:33 PM:
We are his friends in Kolkata, knowing him since the time he married Poornima. Ourprayers are for the departed soul. May his soulrest in peace. Mohua, Pritha, sialditya, Soumitro, Rupanjali, Prabhat

to Siladitya Sen

Ankur Sharma said on 8/18/2010 11:17:00 AM:
Amitda was the first person I met when I started my professional life when I joined HOPE Technologies in 2002. He used to guide each and every employee through a very philosophical and logical approach instead of complicating things. He talked very little about business as he used to say that you take care of employees and business will happen. Loosing such a great leader and individual so early is a huge loss to the industry.

to Ankur Sharma

Dr. Jayanta Hazra said on 8/18/2010 2:34:47 AM:
I have had the opportunity of being very close to Amit both professionally and personally. I am deeply saddened by his passing. A great void has been created in our society by his passing of intellect, professional acumen and character. All we can live now with are the memories. My deepest condolences to his family. May they gain strength through reflecting all his traits and accomplishments. Amit, my dear friend we will miss you and cherish the memories you have left behind to remind us of your presence in our lives.

to Dr. Jayanta Hazra