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Issue 13 | March 2015 News Magazine of Cybage Software Pvt. Ltd.

The Cybage 14 Annual Bash 2014

Cricket 4 Champions Winning Suresh M 6 Partnerships: 10unplugged Richard McLeer Editor’s note From the CEO’s desk

Dear Reader,

All roads lead to the most eventful and show-stopping extravaganza—the Cybage Annual Bash. It’s an event for all Cybagians and their families to come together as one BIG family and celebrate the company’s success! And it is done in true corporate ishtyle—from famed performers, international dance acts, music arrangements by acclaimed DJs, to class acts by our senior management, enthralling speeches by our CEO and COO, and lots of prizes and surprises. Contents In this issue, we will take you through some of the everlasting moments and highlights of Cybage’s big bashes celebrated across From the CEO’s desk 3 . And it doesn’t stop there… we will even share with you the warm and cozy News & Accolades 4 get-togethers across the globe. It’s all about working hard and partying even harder! Winning partnerships: A Boy, a Monkey, and the Nuts Adding a dash of zing to this edition is Richard McLeer 6 our client, Richard McLeer of Dealertrack Once a poor kid was given an assignment But wait, there is a prequel. Once a a wrong place. You see, the lesson here Technologies, who talks about winning Talent beyond cubicles 8 by a teacher on what he wanted to monkey found a pile of nuts inside a box. was not of the , but of the head. partnerships and the passion that Cybagians be when he grew up. The kid did The box had an opening at the top. While both the monkey and the boy held put into their work. not hesitate for a minute and wrote a The monkey slid in his hand and grabbed on to their nutty dreams, there was a Welcome aboard! 9 seven-page paper about his aim to be the nuts. Now his hand had become a fundamental difference in their pursuits: Sprinkled in this issue are: interesting the owner of a horse ranch. He covered fist. The monkey tried to get his hand the monkey had little to gain and learnings and takeaways from our Suresh M unplugged 10 many details, including an exhaustive out; the opening was big enough for everything to lose, while the poor boy senior employees, manifestations of plan of the house and the stables. The the hand to slide in, but too small for had everything to gain and little to lose! talent to noteworthy initiatives for the teacher returned his paper with a big the fist to come out. The monkey had a underprivileged as part of our CSR mission. In the spotlight 12 “F”, and then explained to him that he choice, either to let go of the nuts and Often, our professional or personal We are also excited to be contributing had gone nuts—a boy with no money be free, or hang onto the nuts and keep triumphs don’t lie in the dreams of the to the shift towards earth-friendly The Annual Bash 2014 14 or resources can’t attain such ambitious trying to get free. He chose the latter. heart, but the logic of the head. On renewable energy. goals. Then the teacher offered an For the monkey, the nuts held the same our ability to distinguish between an Ending the issue with fireworks, we bring to A bagful of learnings 20 opportunity to rewrite the paper with a significance as the ranch dreams held for opportunity and a threat, between you the exploits of our cricket team at the more realistic attitude. The boy replied the boy. Unfortunately, the box had been a permanent and a temporary gain, between reality and fantasy. And above inter-IT cricket tournament. First impressions 22 instantly, “Keep the “F”, and I will keep my intentionally placed there by some smart dream.” Today the boy is grown up and monkey-hunters who came and caught all, in our knack to pinpoint the lessons Happy reading! owns a 4,000-square-foot house in the the monkey. surrounding the daily stories of our lives… CybageAsha 23 middle of a 200-acre horse ranch and still has that school paper—framed over Moral: Curtail the calling of your heart. Cybage Khushboo 24 the fireplace. If we keep going nuts about something, we will never be all that we can be! Sincerely, Moral: Follow the calling of your heart. Arun Nathani | CEO & MD Our sports champs 26 Unless we are nuts about something, how Similar stories, opposing morals. Why? will we be all that we can be? Because we searched for the morals at www.arunnathaniblog.com Managed by Corporate Communications Team

2 CYBAGETIMES | March 2015 March 2015 | CYBAGETIMES 3 News & Accolades

Cybage wins AJM Inter-IT Cricket Tournament

Cybage goes Solar Sanket Aikal The rooftop cafeteria at Cybage Tower 1 has witnessed a sea change with abundant greenery, relaxing canopy corners, and a large and well-stocked cafeteria. The latest development at the rooftop cafeteria is the successful installation of 204 solar panels with a capacity of generating 61.54 KW. As part of its Go-Green initiative, Cybage inches closer towards greener pastures. This installation will generate sufficient electricity to power all the computers and lights on one floor of the Cybage towers. Besides financial savings and carbon credits, we are excited about contributing to the shift towards earth-friendly, renewable energy.

Cybage defeated Tech Mahindra (Tech M) by three wickets to clinch their win at the eleventh Kaushalendra Singh Leader in Building Consumer and Enterprise Ankur Joglekar Memorial (AJM) Inter-IT Cricket Tournament held at the Poona Club Ground. IAOP’s choice for The Cybage team scored 140 runs at a loss of 7 wickets in 19.4 overs to bag the AJM Software Products Champions Trophy and ` 40,000 as cash prize. The challenge of 137 runs set by Tech M seemed the seventh year difficult with wickets falling at regular intervals before unbeaten knocks by Prashant Dwivedi The Global R&D Service Provider Ratings (GSPR) by Zinnov Management Cybage has been featured among the (38 not out–21b, 3x4, 2x6) and Sanket Aikal (29 not out–11b, 2x4, 2x6) helped the team reach Consulting has recognized Cybage as a Leader in Enterprise Software and Global Outsourcing 100 Service providers, the target with just 2 balls to spare. Our star cricketer, Prashant Dwivedi, was adjudged Man of Consumer Software categories of the Outsourced Software Product Development by the International Association of the Match while Kaushalendra Singh was feted as the Bowler of the Tournament. industry. This recognition stands testimony to Cybage’s focus on cutting-edge technologies, its Centers of Excellence, and end-to-end product development Outsourcing Professionals (IAOP), for "I witnessed one of the most exciting and well-fought matches with outstanding life cycle. the seventh year in a row. The IAOP team work, which helped bring the trophy home,” - Deepak Nathani, COO, Cybage list represents matured leaders—with Prashant Dwivedi strong portfolios across several business verticals—who have demonstrated business excellence. "To be featured for CloudBees Gold partner in ALM space the seventh year in a row gives us great Deepak Nathani at the sixth convocation ceremony of MITCOM Cybage is now a Gold Partner with CloudBees in the ALM space for continuous pleasure. It validates the scientific, data- integration. As a Gold Partner, Cybage gets access to CloudBees software and driven approach steered by ExcelShore®, The MIT College of Management (MITCOM), Pune, invited support for internal use, demos, and trials. our model of operational excellence. Deepak Nathani as a keynote speaker at their sixth convocation Cybage is growing consistently and ceremony. Deepak talked about the importance of being asserting its technology leadership by realistic, and dreaming with one’s eyes open. being the most efficient global IT services He also shared his own success mantra: Company of the Year in Outsourced company in the product engineering ‘Love Inspire Value Enjoy it up!’ space. It continues to focus on client Product Development needs and process excellence, testifying SiliconIndia magazine applauds Cybage as a frontrunner in Outsourced Product its recognition within the Global Watch Deepak’s speech on YouTube. Development. As an industry thought leader in the IT industry, Cybage’s scientific Outsourcing 100 Service providers," said URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWQXt120yfM approach and seasoned technocrats can re-define the technology landscape for Amit Gajwani, Sr. Vice President – any of its partners. Business Development, Cybage.

4 CYBAGETIMES | March 2015 March 2015 | CYBAGETIMES 5 Winning partnerships

Richard McLeer, Chief Information Officer, Dealertrack Hence the concept of work-life balance Richard McLeer has become more and more difficult Technologies, in conversation with CybageTimes, acknowledges Chief Information Officer, Dealertrack “In our offshore to attain. It takes deliberate planning Technologies Cybage as an effective partner, and expresses his gratitude relationships, I would like and effort to strike the right balance. towards the team’s contribution. He shares a few insights This helps significantly towards one's an offshore team to feel performance at work and a quality life into achieving the elusive work-life balance, and speaks of his empowered to raise a with family.” interesting experiences during his visit to India. hand and say, there is a On a lighter note, when Richard is not better way to do this... working, he can be found boating with his family. Dealertrack’s association with Cybage and to provide the inputs goes back to 2009 when the company as though they were a “The degree with For Richard, India will always be an acquired AAX, a suite of inventory part of Dealertrack...” amazing place, the culture in particular. management solutions, from a which Cybage relies He recalls his first trip to India, “I packed company called JM Solutions. on data and matrices five cans of peanut butter and 20 boxes Richard recalls Cybage as a vendor of crackers because I didn’t think I would of JM Solutions. This partnership to manage business you can do to succeed. So spend 50% eat anything. On the flip side, I didn’t continued with Dealertrack after the of your time thinking about hiring and was the learning for eat any of the packed food I carried but acquisition too. developing the right team and the rest me; and as someone gained 10 pounds. will take care of itself.” Richard with his prized catch Richard feels that working with Cybage coming from a Another high point was the delightful has been a very positive experience. Richard dedicates his ascent to his financial background, I dinner with Arun and his wife. The An interaction with Arun, Cybage’s parents and his family, who have been Message to Cybagians completely understood Indian cuisine certainly left a great extensive experience of AAX, and its his inspiration. impression on me and I still eat a lot Richard has been a part of work ethics convinced Richard that that.” of Indian food today, here in the US.” “Thank you for the with Cybage, his employer has always We ask him about tips on achieving the Dealertrack Technologies for An unforgettable moment Richard still contribution you have been on the right track. He says, “The elusive work-life balance, and he answers the last 14 years, and since day. It’s something I would like to cherishes is his visit to the Taj Mahal part that stood out for me during my in a matter-of-fact manner, “Today, made to AAX and broadly experience again at some point.” during the full moon. He finds the glow then, the company progressed sessions with the team at that time was everyone is accessible 24x7 due to the to Dealertrack over the of the white marble ‘surreal’. from being a single product the degree with which you rely on data presence of the Internet and mobiles. years. We value the great Richard, on empowering offshore and matrices to manage business. relationship. I think it has provider to a premier end-to- I think that was a learning for me; teams, says, “In our offshore been very predictable, end provider of on-demand and as someone coming from a relationships, I would like an offshore team to feel empowered to raise a steady, and well-managed. software and data solutions financial background, I completely "We wouldn’t be where understood that.” hand and say, there is a better way We wouldn’t be where for the US automotive to do this. The team should be able we are in our business to provide the inputs as though they we are in our business industry. His background in Talking about the passion that today without the were a part of Dealertrack, which they today without the Cybagians put into their engagements, Accounting and his stint with actually are.” contribution that the he says, “I remember meeting the contribution that the team Ernst & Young from where he team when I was at the office, the Cybage team has made." has made. I want you all His mantra for success is also fairly got his CPA certification, has interaction with the group—it was to understand how much clear. “If you hire the right team, then fantastic. I sensed lots of energy in the we really appreciate paved the way for his current organization, especially from Arun, there is virtually nothing you can do as your contribution.” role at Dealertrack. around the way the company is run, a manager to fail. But if you hire the and the values all of you live every wrong team, there is virtually nothing With his better half, Debbie

6 CYBAGETIMES | March 2015 March 2015 | CYBAGETIMES 7 Talent beyond cubicles Welcome aboard!

It is with honor that we welcome aboard five senior members to our Cybage family. The ‘developing’ actor Enjoy it, to be the Best! We wish you all a fruitful career!

A musical maiden Rajendra Rakhecha Prashant Malvadkar Delivery Head, Gandhinagar Delivery Head, Pune

A postgraduate mechanical A postgraduate in Computers engineer from COEP, he started from the University of Pune, his career with CAD-CAM & Prashant brings 20 years FEA, later moving to Software of IT services experience Development, Managed in Enterprise Technology Services, and Presales for 18 Practices across North years. He was working with America, Europe, and Asia. He Japanese Telecom Giant as has an exemplary track record Associate Vice President prior in Analytics and Information Sanket Joshi | Software Engineer Pratik Adhav | Software Engineer to joining us. He has worked Management encompassing for domains such as Manufacturing, Automobile, Telecom, Business Planning, Consulting & Pre-Sales, Service Delivery and Every individual finds his own mode When Pratik opted for engineering, many Suvasri Debroy | Software Engineer Mobile, E-commerce, and mCommerce. He has served clients Competency Management for Banking, Financial Services, and of expression. For Sanket, it has always of his teachers and fellow students told from the USA, the UK, Singapore, Malaysia, and Japan. Insurance (BFSI), and Automotive SBUs. been acting. The nightingale of Cybage, Suvasri him that he is picking the wrong field, and should take up theater instead. Being a chatty kid at school, he would Debroy, was initiated into the world of participate in elocution competitions. music when she was just seven years old. He was 4 when he first shook a leg At that time, he had no idea about Her inclination towards music, dance, and on stage, in front of a crowd of three communication skills or public addressing art comes from her family, which has an hundred, at an award ceremony in his techniques; he simply knew that applause artistic background. Her grandmother town. His music teachers spotted his is an assertion and acceptance of being was a vocalist and the first Guru and talent for singing and trained him further good enough! He received constant inspiration for Suvasri. Suvasri’s mother is for two years. motivation from his parents and teachers a theater actor and has supported her in After this training, Pratik received no who encouraged him to participate in her musical journey. other formal or professional training; but various inter-school drama competitions. On the academic front, Suvasri completed by this time, he was thoroughly sure of He won numerous awards for his a diploma in Hindustani Vocal Music his love for dance, drama, and music. performances at events such as ‘Loksatta from Allahabad University. She also has a Sameer Nagarkar Jitendra Patel Sanjeev Arora There was no stopping him after that. - Multi Talent Hunt’ and ‘All India Multi- national scholarship from the Center for Delivery Head - Enterprise Mobility CoE, Pune Head – CoE Cloud, Pune Delivery Head, Pune lingual Fest’. He has won several inter-school singing Cultural Resources and Training Board, Armed with engineering ( Sanjeev is an industry expert with competitions and danced in almost every Jitendra is a technologist, with 20 years He recalls that he initially worked as a . Also a trained Kathak dancer, university) and PGDBA (Symbiosis) more than 18 years of experience in annual day function, during his school of Product Development experience. backstage artist in school dramas and Suvasri expresses her gratitude to her degrees, Sameer brings with him more IT services across India, the USA, and and college years. He has been a part of Previously, he was India Head at Sipera along with that, he mastered his hobbies family and friends for their support. than 18 years of strong technology Australia. During his 12-year-long stint the prestigious Purushottam Karandak Systems. Before joining Sipera, Jitendra of tabla and dancing. experience. He specializes in mobility at IBM, Sanjeev contributed significantly Currently, she is learning music from competitions too. led the VOIP recording group at solutions and customer roadmaps, to software products, services, and Acting helps Sanket to re-live and enjoy Gautam Mukherjee in . Suvasri Dictaphone Corporation, CT, USA. He including a few SMAC (Social, business growth. Sanjeev’s strengths lie every moment of his life, leaving an air of has not participated in any reality show also held Product Development roles Mobile, Analytics and Cloud) based in Airlines, Travel & Hospitality, Telecom, anticipation towards the untouched and yet, though she has taken formal training with Sahara Networks, Cascade, Ascent, initiatives. Sameer has expertise in and Banking domains. He is a graduate in the unconquered. from Gajendrra Singh’s (founder of Zee Lucent, to name a few. Jitendra holds a TV's Sa Re Ga Ma Pa show) Sa Re Ga Ma Telecommunications, BFSI, Retail, Masters in Computer Engineering from Technology from Rohilkhand University, Pa Academy, Mumbai. and Hospitality domains. He also has the University of Bridgeport and an MBA Bareilly, with specialization in Computer expertise in process consulting with six- from UCONN Stamford, USA. Science and Engineering. sigma-driven goals.

8 CYBAGETIMES | March 2015 March 2015 | CYBAGETIMES 9 Suresh M unplugged

Success mantra The proud father in Suresh comes to the Suresh Mamunuru fore. “Our 12-year-old son, SaiSrinivas, Understanding the client unlocks the loves sports. While I’m not a professional Rapid fire: Delivery Head – Development Center doors to success, says Suresh, adding, player, I do play tennis and table tennis “The ability to understand the client sometimes to unwind. Sharanya, who is environment, business and technology, 7 now, is taking music classes and loves Favorite singer: Lata Mangeshkar Suresh, an ingenious engineer with more than 17 years of rich and adaptively interfacing with the client to talk. If she has an audience, she will experience in IT, both in India and USA, heads the company’s is very important.” be very happy and engaged. They have Favorite cuisine: Indian taken our relocation to India quite well.” operations at Hyderabad. He brings with him exhaustive knowledge His message for young professionals is: Favorite holiday destination: of various domains. In his interview with CybageTimes, Suresh talks “Understanding the expectations of the role, challenging oneself, continuous Gatlinburg, TN, USA about his success mantra and his approach towards leadership that learning, complete dedication, and a Giving back to the society Favorite gadget: iPad can illuminate the paths of many. service-oriented approach are the key Talking about his charity efforts, Suresh values I follow.” says, “I feel great working for our Favorite book: The Seven Habits community-based group, ‘Parivarthan’, of Highly Effective People by Early life after completing post-graduation in fairly successful with our offshore-driven which raises supplies for the needy.” Instrumentation Engineering from Anna delivery,” explains Suresh. Ties that liberate Stephen R. Covey During his learning years, Suresh’s University, . This was the time For Suresh, family is everything. He "Everyone is good at inspiration was his father, who was then when his career veered towards US- speaks of his wife, Krishna Priya, “We Favorite musical instrument: a school headmaster and appreciated something and it is the based clients. Eventually, he moved to Marching ahead, together have been together through various Guitar top-level students. He recalls, “When technical leadership and management phases of life and through sampling and collective effort that makes I was a child, whenever I used to go Leadership for Suresh means freedom for roles while working out of USA with prioritization, we were able to see what home with my report card, my parents all to think and contribute whatever they a team successful." leading companies such as Syntel, USA, we wanted, and moved on.” used to ask me one question—who the and MetLife, USA. He played a critical role are best at. Suresh’s theory of leading his topper was, irrespective of how good in accentuating the company profit by team is fairly simple. He says, “Everyone is the progress card looked.” His father’s structuring large deals. good at something and it is the collective repeated questioning made Suresh think, effort that makes a team successful. “If someone else is able to do better Ultimately, unable to resist the call of his Giving enough freedom to everyone in than me under the same circumstances, motherland, he returned to India and the team to play their roles effectively will then I should be able to do that too.” joined Syntel in Pune, where he worked make them feel more responsible.” This egged him on to be a top grader before starting work at the Hyderabad His mantra for team building? “A throughout his academic years. development center of Cybage as Delivery Head in March 2013. professional and informal connect is His professional inspiration comes from important to understand how to back one of his former managers. “He was each other and succeed as a team.” a level-headed, logical, and principled About Cybage person. Watching the way he dealt with difficult situations or applied very basic Suresh thinks of Cybage as a company ‘Get that stress out’ yet creative thoughts while responding with a scientific approach. “I am amazed It isn’t stress that breaks us, it’s how we to RFPs or initiating Presales processes at the focus on delivery excellence respond to it. And how does Suresh was my true learning. It is this kind of and internal governance with an respond to it? “Yoga!” managers that anyone would love to excellent tool support. There is so draw inspiration from.” much thought process built in to bring He adds, “I practice this pretty regularly in operational excellence. I am also and it keeps me healthy and fuels my amazed at the executive commitment mind. To find strength to face various Professional highs towards enhancing internal efficiency challenges that life throws at us, I strongly and employee connect through various believe that we need to give our body Suresh’s career took off when he joined channels. While companies struggle and mind space to rejuvenate every day.” TCS, Mumbai, as a trainee programmer to deliver with onsite presence, we are With wife Krishna Priya, daughter Sharanya, and son SaiSrinivas

10 CYBAGETIMES | March 2015 March 2015 | CYBAGETIMES 11 In the spotlight

Celebrating a milestone A bird’s eye view of nature

The ever vibrant Trek Unlimited committee recently organized a unique event—bird watching at Bhigwan. Bhigwan is a small town around 100 kms away from Pune on the Pune-Solapur highway. It is also referred to as the ‘Bharatpur of ’ because it becomes a hotbed for migratory birds during the winter. The day trip to Bhigwan offered magnificent views and unforgettable experiences for bird watchers, nature lovers, Cybage felicitated more than 80 employees on their and photographers. Painted storks, grey herons, black- completion of five years of exemplary service. Arun and headed ibises, night herons, flamingos, and little cormorants Deepak, who were present at the ceremony, admired the are some of the migratory birds that throng this area in continued commitment and loyalty portrayed by these winters as their home away from home. Cybagians over the years. They wished for these Cybagians to reach greater heights professionally. They also got a glimpse of some cherished moments these employees spent Photo courtesy: Keyur Raj and Sabyasachi Saha in the last five years—from receiving promotion letters and onsite visits to their first Annual Bash and favorite events at Cybage. The ceremony held at the Cybage headquarters felicitated employees who completed five years in the quarter October–December 2014.

An evening in Paris

The treacherous climb

Finding motivation on a Monday morning 100th article being published on 9th Contributors of the maximum articles and The most treacherous yet thrilling of all the treks till date was the thought behind Monday and February, 2015. maximum feedback were felicitated. was an overnight trek to Kulang . This fort, situated in Beyond (M&B), one of the most popular the range, stands 4,822 feet tall at the end of the This calls for a celebration right? That’s The felicitation was followed by the Cybage clubs with a reader base of Sahyadris in Maharashtra. exactly what the M&B Committee, with highlight of the evening—a treasure hunt more than 500 employees today. An Elston as Director, Leticia as Makeup that was organized around the theme With the highest climb to the top, the fort offers amazing inspirational article every Monday Artist, Robin as Editor, Ketan as Critic, ‘An evening in Paris’ with fun facts and views of Alang, Madan, and Ratangad forts along with the morning from fellow colleagues soon and Anishya as Promoter & Distributor clues related to the City of Lights. The dam. At a further distance, one can also see the became something that most Cybagians organized. The event titled ‘An Evening action-packed event concluded with the tallest peak in the Sahyadris—the Kalsubai. look forward to. The initiative that in Paris’ saw good attendance with victorious team being awarded with Eiffel On the way back, the Cybagians felt that the trek gave them started in January 2013 recently saw its several members sharing their feedback. Tower mementos. a sense of accomplishment and reinforced their confidence.

12 CYBAGETIMES | March 2015 March 2015 | CYBAGETIMES 13 Pune the management dance extravaganza

Cybage celebrated its 19th Annual Bash Cybage’s continued commitment towards with Arun Nathani, CEO and MD, Cybage, bringing smiles to the lives of the less and Deepak Nathani, COO and ED, fortunate by donations worth ` 20 lakh Cybage, along with their respective better to 10 NGOs during the festive season. halves, Ritu and Sheena Nathani, playing Several Cybagians were felicitated on the perfect hosts to more than 5,000 their completion of 10 glorious years of Cybagians and their families. loyalty and commitment towards Cybage.

Sunidhi Chauhan, famed Bollywood Other attractions included a stunning playback singer, stormed the stage and performance by African Acrobats mesmerized the crowd with her and Piyush Malhotra Dance Studio. foot-tapping hit songs such as Dilli Wali The Kids Zone provided all-round Girlfriend, Kamli, Sheila Ki Jawani, Desi fun and entertainment to the little Girl, Ishq Sufiyana, Dance Pe Chance, attendees with inflatable slide, moon and Ainvayi Ainvayi. jump, and entertainers dressed up as popular cartoon characters Jerry and The senior management of Cybage Chota Bheem. The dazzling performances, put up a pulsating dance performance, foot-tapping music, and most leaving the crowd cheering unanimously importantly, the ‘spirit of togetherness’, for an encore. The captivating speech were the perfect ingredients for an by Arun Nathani on the highlights of evening of corporate revelry. Cybage’s growth saga, long-standing relationships with clients, and loyalty of Cybagians was the perfect takeaway of the evening. Deepak Nathani enlightened "Sunidhi’s rocking the crowd about another great milestone: performance made the Annual Arun delivering an enthralling speech Cybage crossing the 5,000 employee Bash an unforgettable event." mark globally. He also spoke about

Amit Habu | Software Engineer Sunidhi rocks Cybagians

“Our CEO’s speech was very inspirational. It encouraged us to Felicitation ceremony for employees completing 10 glorious years with Cybage achieve difficult goals, both in our professional and personal lives. His connect with all of us was truly amazing and it made us feel like one BIG family.”

Ankit Rawat | Technical Support Engineer

14 CYBAGETIMES | March 2015 March 2015 | CYBAGETIMES 15 “The Cybage Annual bash is the best event of the year, packed with loads of fun and great entertainment. The highlight for me was the recognition I received for completing 10 successful years in the organization.”

Rahul Diwan Project Manager

clients enjoying the celebrations

Cybagians partying hard!

"The Annual Bash is "The Bash truly lived "The overall “It is an event that me one of the most iconic up to our HR motto arrangements, and my family look days in Cybage, sort 'bringing life to logistics, stage setup, forward to. Also, it is a of NH7 in its own way. work'. It energizes and decorations were privilege to be a part the ‘early bird’ winners The management our lives and brings par excellence! Look of the management dance is the best smiles to our faces. forward to many dance troupe, and get team bonding to have I will cherish this more bashes. accolades from my ever happened!" experience forever." Kudos to the team! little boy on ‘daddy’s concert’." Debasis Ray | Vice President - Danish Nadaf Ratish Ratusaria Technology & Product Engg Software Engineer Technical Architect Kaustubh Karnik Head – Business Development

Play zone for kids African Acrobats Ganesh Vandana performance

16 CYBAGETIMES | March 2015 March 2015 | CYBAGETIMES 17 Gandhinagar Hyderabad

Folk dance performed by employees Cybagians with their families

The Cybage Annual Bash was a night to remember for The Management Dance was performed on a medley of the Cybagians and their families in Hyderabad. Organized at Taj latest Telugu songs. Jumme Ki Raat Hai was the song to which Cybagians enjoying the evening Sunil Pal spreading laughter Krishna, the evening was hosted by Arun Nathani accompanied Arun and senior team members from Hyderabad grooved and with wife Ritu Nathani and senior executives from Team had the audience cheering for an encore. Hyderabad. Arun, in his engaging speech, spoke of Cybage’s growth The opening dance act was performed by Cybagians to a and success. He also made a special mention of two Cybage medley of popular regional songs. The celebrity guest for the stalwarts; Jaikrishnan K. and Meera Menon, and how they evening was Sunil Pal, stand-up comedian and winner of The started their careers at Cybage. Great Indian Laughter Challenge. Along with his signature jokes, M. Narendra Kumar was felicitated for completing a decade his mimicry of actors and had the with Cybage, while 14 others were acknowledged for audience in splits. completing five years.

Cybage Inc. Dance recital by Cybagians After the Big bashes at Pune, Hyderabad, The Cybage Annual Bash was celebrated at the renowned dance recital on a medley of Bollywood songs; a retro dance and Gandhinagar, in India, the Karnavati Club of , with Arun Nathani, Jaikrishnan K, recital by 17 dancers on songs ranging from Aaiye Meherbaan celebrations continued at our Cybage and Meera Menon, and more than 500 employees and to Tattad Tattad; and a powerful beatboxing act based on an Inc office too. In Redmond (WA), USA, their families. engineer’s life. Chirag hosted a New Year party at the famed Saffron Grill in Seattle for the The Cybage Management Dance, the highlight of the evening, Jaikrishnan and Meera felicitated 11 Cybagians who completed entire Redmond team comprising Nasir, had the senior management dancing to hit Bollywood numbers five glorious years at Cybage Mahesh, Soma, Harman, and Kalicharan, such as Tune Maari Entriyaan, and Party Toh Banti Hai. Towards The celebrity appearance for this event was stand-up comedian along with their respective families. The the end of the performance, Arun stormed onto the stage on Sunil Pal. Sunil is well-known for his impersonations and he dinner-cum-get-together was celebrated the track Naacho Saare Jee Phaad Ke. regaled the audience by mimicking famous Bollywood actors. with much fanfare; a scintillating Employees also presented an impressive lineup of performances environment, delectable cuisine, and including a dance on the track Deva Shree Ganesha; girls-only delightful camaraderie. New Year celebrations in Redmond

18 CYBAGETIMES | March 2015 March 2015 | CYBAGETIMES 19 A bagful of learnings

Tapas Ranjan Lenka, Head – Professional ascent E-commerce and SCM CoEs, Tapas Ranjan Lenka (TL): and Nasir Chandwale, Delivery Commencing my career with Tata Infotech, followed by a two-year stint in IP Head share stories about their Technologies (now LinguaNext), I joined Cybage in 2003. I had worked on several fond memories of Cybage, the technology platforms such as Microsoft stack and Java before taking on the management role. Since then, I have worked in Retail, Biometrics, Supply Chain unbreakable bond with their Management, and E-commerce domains, and now I am fully focused on e-commerce Nasir Chandwale Nasir with his core team members teams, and words of wisdom. and SCM, both from a technology and consulting perspective. Delivery Head

NC: I share a special camaraderie After hours Nasir Chandwale (NC): with my team, essentially due to After completing a diploma in Industrial Electronics in 1996, I was recruited by the years of working closely both in TL: Cooking and listening to music helps Texas Instruments through campus interviews. In 1998, with my background in times of difficulties and celebrations. me de-stress, while meditation aids microcontrollers and C programming, I became the head of the Engineering division Communicating in a language that helps introspection. I also enjoy an occasional Tapas Ranjan Lenka in VersaWare. In 2004, I joined Cybage as a project manager and have progressively you connect with people at a personal long drive to a nearby beach or a hill Head – E-commerce and SCM CoEs grown with Cybage ever since. level helps create that special bond. station to revitalize my mind. To nurture and build a stronger relationship, mutual faith and a sense of NC: I have a passion for adventure ownership are very important. outings and exploring unknown “It is crucial to cultivate hobbies. Golden memories destinations. Playing cricket and They not only help you to listening to the songs of Mohammed Having witnessed the growth of Cybage from a rented-bungalow workplace TL: unwind, but also enable you to Rafi, S.P. Balasubramaniam, Asha Bhosle, to a sprawling, modern twin-tower workplace, I feel a sense of association with the Managing right gain a broader perspective of and Chitra, are my other interests. company. Signing on a new client, team outings, senior management meets, and our things, people, and situations.” TL: Understanding client requirements, annual seminars are some of the most gratifying moments. relating the project to the big (business) picture, and mapping NC: I remember the past decade spent with Cybage very well; nevertheless, a distinctly 2007 for which we prepared a two-hour the execution needs with the team’s Quotable quotes “Always have a sense of gratitude etched memory is of the cricket matches held in 2008 that we struggled with, but show and practiced on weekends for capabilities are essential for success. TL: Remember that success is a and be nice to everyone eventually entered the finals. Another fond memory is of the Microsoft bash held in almost a month. As a project manager, I believe in bring journey, not a destination. So keep harmony and transparency across around you.” learning to be a better person. Dream these groups to effectively manage and Tapas with team big and pursue your goals with focus successfully deliver projects: a passionate and hard work. Special camaraderie team that delivers, a great client who trusts us, and a management that TL: I have always maintained a healthy supports us. NC: In your professional life, focus bond with my team. I think the key on creating value for the client. Don’t to bringing the best in people is to shy away from connecting with the NC: I believe effective project and empower them, while making them client, especially during tough times, team management starts with clear aware of the operational boundaries of as they say—‘Baat karne se hi baat communication that helps decode project the organization that they are working banti hai’. in. I invest time to mentor everyone in requirements, timelines, and efforts. my team and try to percolate this model, I efficiently communicate the down to the ground level. technicalities of the project to my team, enabling effective delegation and closure of all executables.

20 CYBAGETIMES | March 2015 March 2015 | CYBAGETIMES 21 First impressions CybageAsha

The Makar Sankranti festival was a good time to catch up with the ‘newbies’ at Cybage. From spreading smiles and awareness to undertaking earth-friendly initiatives Here’s what they had to say about their early days at Cybage. Celebrating the spirit of giving

Deepika Mohan: The Training team was always ready Ketan Aswani: A friendly environment is a company’s to go the extra mile to ensure that we kept pace. The strong asset. Though it has been only a few months since courteous behavior of my fellow employees makes me feel I joined, Cybage always feels like home. It is and will always very secure. The Bringing Life to Work motto of the HR be a pleasure to be a part of such a wonderful family. team makes working at Cybage fun. I’m proud to be a Cybagian!

“Each year, we take the festive season as an opportunity to bring smiles to the lives of the less fortunate through our association with NGOs.” - Deepak Nathani, COO, Cybage Software, and Founder, CybageAsha

CybageAsha, in the true spirit of giving, contributed a sum of ` 20 lakh, as part of the festive celebrations. An amount of ` 2 lakh each was donated to 10 non-governmental organizations, namely: Sanmati Bal Niketan Sanstha, Kinara Vruddha and Matimanda Seva Trust, Cochlea Pune for Hearing and Speech, Society for the Welfare of the Mentally Retarded, Astitva Pratishthan, Vanvasi Ashram, Late Tatya Bapat Smriti Samiti, Jeevan Samvardhan Foundation, Doorstep School, and Saad.

Cybage turns Santa Engraining values

Sonal Tiwari: Nandini Singh: Nisha Advani: Rohit Madan: The journey so far has My trainers, managers, Cybage makes its first A work environment definitely been worth leads, and colleagues are impression even before comprising intrapreneurs remembering for a passionate engineers you enter its premises. It was a fun-filled Christmas celebration for 55 underprivileged On the occasion of ‘Sankranti’, a grain donation drive was and innovators is the lifetime. The magnificent who believe in the work I still remember the warm children from the Green Tara Foundation and Khulewadi organized, inviting participation from all Cybagians. Grains perfect foundation for fountains, two tall they do—a valuable wishes of the security and Ambedkar slums as they enjoyed a party organized by amounting to a total 3,370 kgs were collected during the three building a strong career. buildings, the abundant takeaway for me from staff the very first day CybageAsha. A yearly practice, children of alcohol addicts days of this drive. All the collected grains were donated to greenery, the basketball this organization. I walked in. undergoing reformation were invited. A magic show, various ‘Chaitanya Mahila Mandal’, ‘Radha Medical’, and ‘Gurukulam’. court were a few things games, and mouth-watering snacks were arranged for the kids These NGOs work towards the betterment of women, children, that caught my attention and blankets were given as return gifts. CybageAsha ensured and senior citizens. at the very first glimpse. that these children had a memorable evening.

22 CYBAGETIMES | March 2015 March 2015 | CYBAGETIMES 23 Khushboo Cybage Khushboo My mother has been the only working member of our family. scholars She has supported my needs whenever she could. Cybage Khushboo was the beacon of hope when my college admission Highlights of scholarships to deserving students and partnerships with renowned institutes plans seemed impossible due to high fees. With their help, I could complete my education. I’m now supporting my mother by working for Yardi Software. Using the knowledge gained, in Snehalata Pandit future, I would like to develop an innovative solution. Scholarships worth over ` 1.2 crore Recruited by Yardi Software The year 2014 has been a trailblazing one for Cybage Khushboo with the trust’s scholarships crossing ` 1.20 crore. Ever since its scholarship programs commenced in 2010, Cybage Khushboo has sponsored more than 490 students. Supporting three children with the only source of income being selling snacks at the weekly village bazaar was challenging for Partnership with Bakul Tambat Institute Scholarship Distribution at Pune my parents to make ends meet. Without the major financial of Nursing Education Vidyarthi Griha’s (PVG) College of backing of Cybage Khushboo, it would have been impossible Engineering and Technology for me to pursue engineering and develop my skills for the corporate world. I am successfully placed at Accenture. Cybage Khushboo gave me the confidence to learn more technologies and aim to become an entrepreneur. Some day, I also wish to Aniket Adake write a book on ‘my journey into this technology world’. Recruited by Accenture

My father could only support my education till the diploma level. It crushed me to think about halting my education and taking up a job after diploma. But Cybage Khushboo understood my plight and supported me with a scholarship to Cybage Khushboo signed an MoU with PVG College of continue with engineering. My confidence was also boosted Engineering and Technology to sponsor 15 students pursuing by the program in soft skills organized by Cybage Khushboo. In 2014, Khushboo decided to focus on those educational diploma and degree courses in Printing and Graphics by Somnath Bhalke Though I am working with Crompton Greaves Ltd., I want to fields which are not sought after, but offer extremely high donating around ` 2.75 lakh as scholarships. Recruited by Crompton become an IAS officer so that I can work for the people. employability. Exploring the unexplored areas of our education Ritu Nathani, Trustee, Cybage Khushboo, and Director, Cybage, Greaves Ltd system, Khushboo conducted a detailed research on the various during her visit to the PVG campus, said, “We are pleased to be courses in the Nursing profession and partnered with Bakul associated with PVG College as the ideology of Khushboo and Tambat Institute of Nursing Education to provide scholarships to the vision of PVG run on similar lines—encouraging education 15 deserving students. My father works at MIDC and is the sole bread-winner of our beyond economic boundaries. Khushboo identified Printing family. Pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering and that Khushboo will continue to explore other such vocations for the and Graphics as a vocation with tremendous opportunities and too in a city like Pune was impossible. Cybage Khushboo helped academic year starting 2015. guaranteed placements to students even from rural areas.” me fulfill my dream of getting an engineering degree. I have been hired by TCS through campus recruitments. Since this is just the beginning of my career, I wish to learn more and enrich Cybage Khushboo Holistic Development Program my knowledge. Nikita Daware Cybage Khushboo commenced its holistic development Recruited by TCS program for the students from 2014-15 batch with the first session held at PVG College of Engineering and Technology.

Renowned RTI activist and career counsellor Mr. Vivek My father is an autorickshaw driver. Supporting a large family Velankar addressed the students on various avenues that is an everyday struggle for him. After completing HSC, further open up after completing diploma; opportunities beyond education seemed unattainable for me. My father found out private companies (public sector); importance of certification; about Cybage Khushboo and the scholarships they provide to technical knowledge; career planning; English speaking skills the underprivileged yet deserving students. It was with the help and preparation for aptitude tests. Some of the Khushboo- Taslim Sayyed of Cybage Khushboo, that I was able to complete B.Sc. degree. sponsored students, who were placed at prominent MNCs I am placed with HSBC Software Development and now capable Recruited by HSBC Software such as TCS, Accenture, HSBC, and Crompton Greaves, were of supporting my younger siblings. I wish to also study further Development also invited to share their experiences. to become a Software Developer.

24 CYBAGETIMES | March 2015 March 2015 | CYBAGETIMES 25 Our sports champs Pool Tournament FrontFoot Inter Corporate Badminton Tournament Marathon achievers

Ace cueists of Cybage came together for the annual 8-ball Pool tournament recently held at the Cybage headquarters. It turned out to be a title clash that displayed the warm and friendly It turned out to be a defining moment at the PDMBA Deccan environment of Cybage. One could see enthusiastic employees stage; when the star shuttlers of Cybage bagged the Champions practicing pool, trying new skills, and supporting friends all Trophy in the team event against Persistent Systems. through the event. The following members emerged as winners of the tournament: Women’s Singles: Apurva Mendse Kudos to our badminton champions: Men’s Singles: Preetesh Bora, Women’s Doubles: Tanvi Kalra Ashish Doke, Sachin Bhatt, Navneet Kumar, and and Snehal Patil, Men’s Doubles: Pushpak Agarwal and Deepak Saurabh Kamble. A brilliant first in Hyderabad, an impressive second in , and now, a mighty third at the Standard Chartered Mumbai , Mixed Doubles: Pratik Adhav and Apurva Mendse Marathon (SCMM)! Taru Mateti, Head – Documentation & eLearning, finished the full marathon (42.195 km) in 4:28:58, a good 7 minutes faster than her previous timing, coming third in the 50-55 years age category. Joining the league is Jitendra Patel, Head – CoE Cloud, a barefoot long-distance runner, who also completed his first full marathon at the SCMM. He has competed in six half marathons since August 2013. Gandhinagar Chess Tourney Pool Tournament Pune Inter-IT TT Clash 2015

Cybage’s annual inter-IT table tennis tournament, Cybage TT Clash, witnessed the participation of more than 90 players representing around 21 IT companies in Pune. All proceeds from the event held at the Cybage headquarters were directed to CybageAsha—the philanthropic arm of Cybage. The championship trophy was bagged by HSBC through a point-based ranking Ambitious pool players from Cybage came together at the intra-Cybage pool system. Prizes worth more than ` 50,000 tournament held at the Gandhinagar office. The Cybagian vs. Cybagian competition Ketan Bhojak was announced the were given away to the winners and saw fingers being crossed and support expressed for favorite players from fellow winner of the chess tourney organized runners-up of the five category matches. employees throughout the competition. With tremendous participation and at the Cybage Gandhinagar office. Saplings were given to all players for unbelievable support, The following employees bagged the titles: their participation. Men’s Singles: Poojan Trivedi, Men’s Doubles: Neeraj Kataria and Saumil Rewari Mixed Doubles: Ravindra Rao and Urvi Desai

26 CYBAGETIMES | March 2015 March 2015 | CYBAGETIMES 27 www.cybage.com