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Time of India
42 minutes ago
- Time of India
Rs 95 crore: HCLTech's Vijayakumar is highest-paid Indian IT CEO
Bengaluru: HCLTech CEO C Vijayakumar has emerged as the highest-paid Indian IT CEO, crossing the $10 million mark and topping the compensation charts. US-based Vijayakumar earned Rs 94.6 crore in the 2024–25 financial year, which comprised a base pay of Rs 15.8 crore, a performance-linked bonus of Rs 13.9 crore, long-term RSUs worth Rs 56.9 crore, and a bonus of Rs 1.7 crore. Vijayakumar's peers include TCS CEO K. Krithivasan, who earned Rs26.5 crore for the 2023–24 financial year, marking a 4.6% increase from the previous year. Infosys CEO Salil Parekh received a 22% hike, taking his total compensation to Rs 80.6 crore. Wipro CEO Srinivas Pallia, who took over in April last year, earned Rs 53.6 crore; since this is his first year in the role, there is no prior comparison. According to the firm's annual report, Vijayakumar received a salary increase of 7.9% compared to the previous year. However, the average salary hike for employees excluding managerial personnel in the last financial year was 3.1%. Vijayakumar's salary was 662.5 times the median remuneration of employees in the 2024–25 financial year. The Board, on the recommendations of the NRC, has approved Vijayakumar's re-appointment as the CEO & MD of HCLTech from September 1 this year to March 31, 2030. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru The annual report highlights that under Vijayakumar's leadership, HCLTech delivered strong performance from FY16 to FY25, with a revenue CAGR of 9.3%—the highest among peers; an EBIT CAGR of 8.1%, ranking second highest; and a net income CAGR of 6.9%, also the second highest in the peer group. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is this legal? Access all TV channels without a subscription! Techno Mag Learn More Undo According to the company's annual report, the Board has approved a more than 71% hike in his remuneration, raising it to $18.6 million (around Rs 154 crore) for the current financial year. "The revised compensation acknowledges C. Vijayakumar's successful and long-tenured leadership as CEO, recognizing his significant contributions to the company's growth and sustained performance over the years." Under his leadership, from FY16 to FY25, the number of $100 million clients increased from 8 to 22, $50 million clients from 19 to 52, and $20 million clients from 75 to 138. C. Vijayakumar has driven significant growth through a client-centric approach, expanding HCLTech's global footprint and strengthening service excellence. From FY16 to FY25, the number of $100 million clients increased from 8 to 22, $50 million clients from 19 to 52, and $20 million clients from 75 to 138. "This growth reflects rising client relevance and deepening strategic partnerships, marked by increasing wallet share among HCLTech's top accounts. It was enabled by a 'One HCLTech' approach, underpinned by an increasingly integrated go-to-market model offering all HCLTech services under a verticalized organizational structure that enhanced client alignment, execution agility, and responsiveness," the firm said in its annual report. HCLTech chairperson Roshni Nadar said, "Looking ahead, the demand environment is expected to remain challenging as clients continue to exercise caution due to uncertainties around global trade frameworks and geopolitical tensions. We remain focused on navigating these challenges and ensuring that HCLTech remains well-positioned to leverage the opportunities available," she said. "Technology evolution, driven by AI, is accelerating, and the IT services industry is at an inflection point. The industry will need to reinvent itself to stay relevant. HCLTech is prepared to adapt to these shifts." The percentage increase in the median remuneration of employees during the financial year was 17.6%. The company has 1,67,316 permanent employees on its rolls. In addition, there were 56,104 employees on the rolls of its subsidiaries. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !

The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Top Trump aide accuses India of financing Russia's war in Ukraine
A top aide to U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday (August 3, 2025) accused India of effectively financing Russia's war in Ukraine by purchasing oil from Moscow, after the U.S. leader escalated pressure on New Delhi to stop buying Russian oil. "What he (Trump) said very clearly is that it is not acceptable for India to continue financing this war by purchasing the oil from Russia," said Stephen Miller, deputy chief of staff at the White House and one of Mr. Trump's most influential aides. Mr. Miller's criticism was one of the strongest yet by the Trump administration about one of the United States' major partners in the Indo-Pacific. "People will be shocked to learn that India is basically tied with China in purchasing Russian oil. That's an astonishing fact," MR. Miller said on Fox News. The Indian Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Indian government sources told Reuters on Saturday that New Delhi will keep purchasing oil from Moscow despite U.S. threats. A 25% tariff on Indian products went into effect on Friday as a result of its purchase of military equipment and energy from Russia. Trump has also threatened 100% tariffs on U.S. imports from countries that buy Russian oil unless Moscow reaches a major peace deal with Ukraine. Mr. Miller tempered his criticism by noting Mr. Trump's relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which he described as "tremendous.


Deccan Herald
an hour ago
- Deccan Herald
Where stone chariot races the sun
If you ever travel to Odisha on India's eastern coast, you might hear whispers about a mysterious temple that looks like a giant stone chariot, frozen in time as if it was about to roll towards the sea. That's the Sun Temple of Konark, one of the most fascinating buildings in India, and a place that has amazed travellers, artists, and scientists for hundreds of years. The Konark Sun Temple stands just a few kilometres from the Bay of Bengal. As you get closer, you might spot giant wheels, each one taller than you, carved with incredible patterns and shapes. The whole temple is built to look like the chariot of Surya, the Sun God, being pulled by seven magnificent stone horses. It's made entirely out of black granite and khondalite rock, and was built more than 750 years ago, during the rule of King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty in the thirteenth century. Legend has it that the king wanted to build the most spectacular temple dedicated to Surya, the god who brings warmth, light and life. According to old tales, thousands of artists, sculptors, and workers worked for years to shape and carve every detail. Some stories say it took twelve years to finish. Imagine what it must have been like—a busy construction site full of hammers, chisels, laughter, and music, with the salty sea breeze blowing in. What really makes Konark different from any other temple is its design. It's not just a place to pray; it's a gigantic sundial and a riddle in stone. The temple's wheels aren't just for show—they actually work like clocks. If you look closely, you'll notice the spokes of each wheel are carefully shaped so that, if you know the trick, you can tell the time just by watching where the sun casts its shadow. There are 24 wheels, which some people say stand for the hours in a day, and each wheel has eight spokes, like the eight 'praharas' or divisions of time in an Indian day. For hundreds of years, travellers and pilgrims have been amazed by this combination of science and art, where the temple itself helps people measure time. The Sun Temple is decorated with thousands of carvings, big and small. Look closely and you'll find elephants, lions, horses, dancers, musicians, birds, and flowers—all carved in lifelike detail. Many of the figures tell stories from everyday life or from ancient legends, while others show how people celebrated the sun with music, dance, and festivals. Some carvings are so tiny that you need to kneel down and squint to see all the hidden details, while others are so grand you'll want to take a dozen photos. For centuries, Konark was a place where artists and thinkers gathered, especially during the early morning, when the first sunlight would hit the temple's main entrance. The main shrine, which once held a massive statue of Surya, is now in ruins, but you can still sense the awe that people must have felt when sunlight filled the temple. Sadly, parts of the temple have collapsed over time, mainly because of the salty sea air, heavy monsoon rains, and even attacks by invaders. Still, what remains is enough to fill visitors with wonder. One of the most fascinating mysteries about Konark is how such a huge and heavy temple was built with no cranes or modern machines. Some experts think the builders used clever ramps, pulleys, and lots of teamwork. According to legend, a huge iron rod was used to hold the top stone together, and the temple was decorated with a magical lodestone, a natural magnet that was supposed to make ships' compasses go haywire. While there's no proof of the lodestone today, these stories add to Konark's magical reputation. People from all over the world come to Konark, not just to see the temple but to be part of its festivals. Every December, the Konark Dance Festival brings together India's best classical dancers, who perform on a stage with the temple as their backdrop, just as dancers did centuries ago. As night falls and the music begins, you can almost imagine the temple coming back to life, with shadows dancing across its ancient stones. Konark isn't just a UNESCO World Heritage Site; it's a symbol of Indian creativity, scientific thinking, and the power of imagination. It's been called the 'Black Pagoda' by sailors who saw its dark stones from their ships. It's also a puzzle waiting to be solved, with historians and scientists still trying to unlock its secrets. Some say there are hidden passages or treasures, while others are simply amazed by how carefully the entire structure is aligned with the east, so that the first light of the day touches the feet of the Sun God. If you ever get to visit Konark, try to wake up early and see the sunrise over the temple's wheels and horses. It's the perfect way to understand why, even after so many centuries, Konark still inspires awe. Temple is shaped like a giant chariot Konark's Sun Temple was built to look like Surya's chariot from Hindu mythology, complete with 24 massive wheels and seven stone horses. Works like a sundial The wheels aren't just for decoration—they're actually ancient timekeepers! You can tell the time by watching the shadows cast by the spokes. Konark once had a huge magnet Legend says the temple once had a giant lodestone (a natural magnet) at its centre, which was so powerful it could disrupt ships' compasses at sea. Temple faced the rising sun The main entrance was built so that the first rays of the sun would light up the idol of Surya inside the temple each morning. It's called the 'Black Pagoda' Sailors on the Bay of Bengal called Konark the 'Black Pagoda' because of its dark stones, which helped them navigate the coast. Many parts are now in ruins The main sanctum collapsed long ago, but much of the temple's beauty remains, attracting visitors and researchers from around the world. ISTOCK It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site Konark Sun Temple is one of India's most famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites, recognised for its amazing architecture and history. ISTOCK Famous dance festival Every year, classical dancers from all over India perform at the Konark Dance Festival, with the temple as a stunning backdrop.