A major reshuffle in the Union Cabinet saw Ashwini Vaishnaw from Odisha being appointed as the Minister of Communications and IT. Succeeding Ravi Shankar Prasad in official duties, Ashwini Vaishnaw is taking charge of two significant ministries at a decisive phase.

This Rajya Sabha Member from Odisha is an IAS officer of the 1994 batch. He is also an MBA degree holder from the renowned Wharton School, Pennsylvania University and also an MTech degree holder from the prestigious IIT Kanpur. After serving the bureaucracy for 15 years, he went on to the corporate sector where undertook several important assignments, including assuming responsibility as managing director of GE Transportation and also vice-president of Siemens Locomotive. Later in 2012, he quit belonging to the corporate industry and turned to be an entrepreneur in Gujarat. In 2019, he assumed responsibility as Rajya Sabha MP from Odisha.

Challenges and Tasks ahead

Many challenges lie ahead of Ashwini Vaishnaw’s tenure as Minister. The main being conducting 5G auctions, regaining the industry’s lost fame, keeping once-leading giant Vodafone Idea from drifting apart, clearing regulator’s recommendations on sectoral health.

Pankaj Mohindroo, Chairman, ICEA speaks about Ashwini Vaishnaw: “We aspire that the new incumbent consolidates the gains made so far – particularly in mobile phone manufacturing.”

Electronics is the second-largest traded commodity in the world at $2 trillion. It permeates every vertical in our and the global economy. The new leadership can propel India into a leading economy on the back of manufacturing in general, and electronics manufacturing, in particular,” Mohindroo stated.

Already ready to start action, the new Telecom minister has conducted meetings with Anshu Prakash, the Telecom secretary to discuss the matters of priority.

Another important task at the new minister’s hand is to revive Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) as well as Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) into their former glory.

We can expect to see this dynamic leader creating a road of success with his diverse experience in leadership and effectiveness in handling bureaucratic matters. Better times are ahead for the Telecom companies.