IT professionals from the state returning to roots

Increasing career opportunities, investment in IT make state attractive destination
Devanshi Joshi.Ahmedabad/DNA
Wednesday, June 04, 2008

A large number of IT professionals from Gujarat have started returning, as they believe that the career growth opportunities in the state are improving significantly. Many of Gujarati technocrats who for years worked in cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune and Mumbai have started shifting their base back to their home state.Hiten Barot, the executive director of Creative Infocity Ltd, said, "Opportunities are not opening up for only a crunch of experienced techies but also for freshers who can cater to the needs of IT companies in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar and Vadodara. About 1500-2000 IT professionals have already shifted their base from other IT hubs of India to Gujarat as the state is offering growth opportunities." Increasing work opportunities, higher growth of IT investments in addition to economic cost of living and better society are the reasons that are attracting IT professionals to return to their home state.After working for six months in Delhi, Keyur Shah, shifted to the state and works as a project engineer with an IT firm of Gandhinagar. "I moved to Gujarat as my family lives here. The package I get here is 15-20% less than the package I was getting in Delhi but I am fine with that as the cost of living is also cheaper here. Besides, I derive the satisfaction of working in my home state." Dhaval Kapadia, a prospect analyst of Vadodara-based MNC shifted recently from Bangalore. Dhaval said, "MNCs are coming up in Gujarat. Moreover, I have been offered the same package I was getting earlier." Hardik joshi, a system engineer left Pune after working for five years there with an MNC. "When I started my career, opportunities were not enough in the state but Gujarat has made a rapid growth in the past two years. Homely environment coupled with a low cost of living are the major reasons of my return to the state."Rajan vasa, president of Gujarat Electronics & Software Industries Association (GESIA), said, " Many people went out of the state few years back because of the lack of opportunities here. However, now they are coming back as they are getting similar pay packages and good quality life compared to what other metros offer."