BANGALORE, INDIA: The 16th edition of Nasscom India Leadership Forum, one of the most respected events across the globe, will be held at Mumbai from February 13-15.

This conclave is a place where the global leaders, CEOs, CIOs, Government Officials, Thought Leaders and other Luminaries converge to share their views on the globalization of the IT sector and strategize and talk on the way ahead for the future. The Forum also provides a stimulus for important boardroom decision-making and is also a perfect platform for participants to network and share their experiences.

What will be the key highlights of Nasscom 2008 event?

This year's forum will see global customers come together to share their success with India Inc. and its growing clout in the world economy. It will focus on three key issues:

First, customers of Indian IT vendors will share their experience, the challenges they faced and the opportunities they see in continuing to do business with Indian vendors. Second, it will focus on niche outsourcing opportunities arising out of India. The third focus of the summit will be on thought leadership issues related to corporate governance, societal contribution, next generation leadership and talent management.

This year the summit coincides with the 60th year of Indian Independence and we raise a toast on this occasion with a special session with Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, former president of India on February 15.  

Last year we had prime minister, Manmohan Singh representing the government at the event. Who will be putting forward the government's view this time around?

This year we are looking forward to the inaugural session by A Raja, Hon'ble minister for Communications and IT and keynote sessions by Shri Abdul Kalam, former president of India and Shri Kamal Nath, Hon'ble minister for Commerce and Industry on Day 1. The summit will also see participation from central and state government dignitaries such as Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh, chief minister of Maharashtra and Shri Sachin Pilot, member of parliament, Lok Sabha who will be speaking in the session 'Global Leadership: The Next Generation.'

How many delegates are expected this year at the Leadership Forum ?

We  expect close to 1,500 delegates from across the globe. The summit will also host many first time delegations such as the ones from Egypt, Mexico, Brazil, Uruguay and Poland. 

Some of the speakers slated to speak at the summit include distinguished names like former president Abdul Kalam, Ajit Naidu of Merrill Lynch, Paul Coby of British Airways, Arun Maira of Boston Consulting Group, Nandan Nilekani, Gini Rometty to name a few.
 
One of the big attractions of the event is the Global Leadership Awards. Who have been awarded this time around?