Infosys Ex-CFO: Nehru Vs PM Modi, India’s Future, Corruption I Mohandas Pai on Neon Show

This week’s episode is an extraordinarily explosive one as we welcome Mohandas Pai, ex-CFO of Infosys, to the Neon Show!

In this week’s episode, we learn about the “rebellious” man behind India’s largest midday meal programme, Akshaya Patra, and his highly inspiring journey from childhood days to Infosys and way beyond!

How did Jawaharlal Nehru set India back 30 years as a country and why is PM Modi, India’s best prime minister till date?

India vs America! Who do you think is better at Marketing?

Why are Indians incomparable to any other population in the world?!

All these fiery topics and more in this UNFILTERED conversation with one of India’s most proud citizens! Unlike any conversation we’ve ever had on the Neon Show… Tune in NOW!

Sponsor Shoutout!

Looking to build a differentiated tech startup with a 10X better solution? Prime is the high conviction, high support investor you need. With its fourth fund of $120M, Prime actively works with star teams to accelerate building great companies.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

🎇CHAPTERS🎇

00:00 - Precap
00:58 - Welcome to the Neon Show!
01:34 - Introducing Mohandas Pai, ex-CFO of Infosys
02:02 - Middle-Class Upbringing
03:21 - Bangalore’s Transition From Then To Now
05:22 - How Infosys Set A Benchmark for India’s IT Industry!
08:06 - India’s Exponential Growth In The Last 30 Years!
11:40 - Working With Indian Government to Grow Startup Ecosystem
13:25 - How Did Nehru Set India Back 30 Years?
15:57 - PM Modi surpassed predecessors in aiding India's poor
18:10 - Relationship With Sons
18:59 - Corruption & Influx of Domestic Capital In India
20:58 - Compassionate Capitalism
23:38 - 5 Entrepreneurs Who Deserve The Bharat Ratna
28:38 - Growing Up As a Rebel
30:31 - Relationship With Narayana Murthy
31:53 - Gandhi As An Idol & Influence
35:26 - Why Mohandas Pai Stepped Down From Infosys!
37:43 - Does He Worry About His Legacy?
39:51 - Strong Faith In The People Of India!
43:26 - Can SaaS Have An Impact Like IT In India?
46:50 - The BYJU’S Story
49:43 - Why He Always Wears Traditional Indian Clothing
50:53 - India Has Caught Up To The Rest Of The World!
55:24 - India vs America: Who Does Marketing Better?
56:46 - Concluding Remarks

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hi, I am your host Siddhartha! I have been an entrepreneur from 2012-2017 building two products AddoDoc and Babygogo. After selling my company to SHEROES, I and my partner Nansi decided to start up again. But we felt unequipped in our skillset in 2018 to build a large company. We had known 0-1 journey from our startups but lacked the experience of building 1-10 journeys.

Hence was born The Neon Show (Earlier 100x Entrepreneur) to learn from founders and investors, the mindset to scale yourself and your company. This quest still keeps us excited even after 5 years and doing 200+ episodes.

We welcome you to our journey to understand what goes behind building a super successful company. Every episode is done with a very selfish motive, that I and Nansi should come out as a better entrepreneur and professional after absorbing the learnings.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

🎇Hashtags🎇
#startup #entrepreneur #podcast

[sebastinesos]

I feel proud to be an Infosian and to have worked under such a legend & visionary. Mr.Pai is a true asset of our country.

[saratsaratchandran]

Mr Mohandas Pai, gem of a man! There should be more like him. The nation needs such people who call a spade a spade! An inspirational experience every time I listen to him!

[abdullahulk]

It felt like watching a full Rajini Kanth movie, this guy has such an auro.... Great interview, great way of openness and frankness. The way his brain has stored up numbers and his ability to articulate them in an extempore in many places you feel like going back to comprehend the complete message....

[sunilnevatia]

It is such a pleasure listening to mohan ji. It’s a treat to ears and mind. He talks so much sense.

[lokanathbk]

The Indian government should have more advisers like him. His knowledge & experience inspiration for youth

[yashwantkumarsingh]

I like his way of life . People like him needs to run the country🎉🎉
Why prime minister Modi missed to catch these opportunities. His advice matters a lot🎉
Jai Hind 🙏
Jai Bharat 🙏

[ravikumarrao]

Proud of Mohandas Pai and he is an inspiration to many IT professionals... Jain Hind😙👍

[venugopala]

A great man speaking from his rich experience, reeling out mind blogging facts & figures, great feeling listening to him. Hats off to you sir.

[nagarajmc]

Excellent interview. I am so proud a childhood friend with whom I played chess and cricket in Nehrunagar has reached this level. His thoughts are great. No doubt he is a proud Indian. Thank you Mohandas Pai (Manna for us)

[shishirsks]

Great Interview! You could agree with him on most aspect but not the Byju. After personally seeing Byju's sales team engage is blatant lies, creating FOMO to sell their products and then going cold-turkey, Byju is just blatant unscrupulous business. Entrepreneurs don't talk about it much because most of them are invested in the eco-system. But, this has greatly impacted the reputation of the Indian Edtech startups. For the sake of justice, Byju should get what they deserve. Lets not associate it with other genuine fast growing Indian startups.

[VenkataShreyasKabekkoduYT]

This is what I like about Mr. Mohandas Pai. Very crisp and clear!

[srik]

This is how a Professional talks and offers data with civility. Proud of you Sir.. Offer him an advisor role and he can transform Blore🙏

[tusarkantsahoo]

This guy is so straight forward. You ask a question, No roundabout! he will deliver the direct answer.

[rameshkhanorkar]

My hats off to you Mohandas Sir! You are a visionary and have a lot to contribute to the nation.

[harishrv]

🙏 and thanks to mohan das pai for echoing our hearts of millions and millions of bangalore middle class people like us which also reminds us of our journey as well.

[shivprasad]

@The Neon Show has set a new benchmark in the era of podcast. Highly informative. The knowledge of Mr Narayana Murthy, Mr Nandan Nilekani and Mr Mohandas Pai is truly commendable and the way Infosys created a global company is truly mesmerizing and a matter of pride as an Indian. Great content. Keep up the good job.

[sangameshj]

What a great podcast…. Loved to see Paiji…He is so frank and knowledgeable…. Lucky people are those who worked under them and hope they all are building a new India🌹🙏🌹👌

[ramans]

I have heard Mohan many times but every time I admire his command over data and outspoken attitude which is not easy. He is a true compassionate capitalist! God bless

[SwarupKumarKar]

Ex Infoscion here. Lovely to hear Mr Pai's thoughts. Absolute clarity and maturity of thinking.

[shivarajme]

Such a brutally honest opinion about so many social and political issues, hats off to this great person TVMP