NASSCOM bloggers judge pretty CNBC star
By Techgirl

Mumbai is hosting the networking plus junket meet known as the ‘NASSCOM India Leadership Forum 2009’.  Officially, it is a forum of industry leaders, thought gurus, analysts, Government decision makers, academia and IT users from across the world. Unofficially, except for a dozen respected names like Pramod Bhasin and Narayana Murthy, everyone else comes to see and be seen.

The Leadership Forum was spread over 3 days from Feb 11 to Feb, 13, 2009.

Sheeren Bhan, Associate Editor Political Affairs & Anchor, CNBC TV 18, is one of the brightest start on the Indian television. A 5 year CNBC veteran, Shereen anchors and produces several flagship shows like Tonight at 10, Young Turks, India Business Hour and What’s Hot. In Addition, to CNBC, Shereen also anchors for CNBC Awaaz and the International channel, South Asia World. Shereen was awarded the FICCI Woman of the Year 2005 and has interviewed the likes of Bill Gates, Richard Branson, Christopher Barrett, Narayana Murthy and Azim Premji amongst others.

Shereen Bhan is everything that I am not.  She is pretty and I am not.  She works for the powerful CNBC while I write for a smaller tech magazine as well as tiny gossip website techgoss. NASSCOM gives her a VIP invitation while I stand at the conference with junior media types. Many businessmen logon to CNBC only to watch Shereen.

Shereen was one of the prominent invitees to the NASSCOM Leadership Forum.

But it seems that not everyone shares my admiration for the CNBC star.

The official NASSCOM Leadership blog has some snarky comments about Shereen. The first was by senior Indian executive, Sudha Kumar, commenting on the panel discussion anchored by Shereen Bhan, with participation from industry leaders Ramadorai (TCS), Nandan Nilekani (Infosys), Vineet Nayyar ( HCL) and Denny McGuire ( Chairman Emeritus, TPI) on Feb 11.

Sudha Kumar, CEO and Cofounder of Prayag, wrote an insightful article in the official NASSCOM blog, part of which read: “Though I thought the session could have been moderated better ( Shereen could have asked more insightful questions and integrated the session differently!), the audience did get a first hand view of how the more successful companies in the IT industry are dealing with tough times.”

Sudha Kumar’s colleague at Prayag, Anita Mani, was even blunter and wrote in the official NASSCOM blog: “With CEOs of three of India’s Top 10 IT companies on stage, it was a great opportunity for some hard questioning and lively Q & A. The format was excellent – each speaker made brief opening remarks and were then grilled by the anchor, CNBC’s Shereen Bhan. While Bhan carried the questions with practiced ease, one missed having on board an anchor who understood the business/ companies better – that would have made for more memorable moments. The CEOs clearly were having too easy a time of it! So next time around Ms.Bhan, fewer giggles, more gumption please!”

The comments by Sudha and Anita have created a buzz at the conference.  Both are very successful women with distinguished track records. Sudha had a very senior role at Infosys before starting Prayag.  Anita was business head of the wireless division of fast growing telecommunications software company, Lifetree Convergence, before joining Prayag.

NASSCOM male blogger and Chief Communications Officer of Sify, David Appasamy, had kinder things to say about Shereen.  He blogged: “One of the more eagerly awaited sessions was the one with industry heavy weights S Ramadorai, Nandan Nilekani and Vineet Nayar, along with Denny McGuire of research company TPI sharing their wisdom on what to do during the tough times ahead.  Shereen Bhan provided the counter point in terms of gender, age and beauty while matching them for intellect as she sought to draw out the best in them!”

Interesting is it not how the same TV anchor can get such different reviews?

Techgoss note:  Techgirl is a senior Tech journalist who reports on the IT, KPO and KPO Sectors for a leading media house.  In her spare time, she dabbles in satire in her blog
http://techgirltalk.blogspot.com