NASSCOM Chairperson Sindhu Gangadharan Criticizes Global Tech Giants' Retreat on Diversity Initiatives

2025-02-28

In recent times, global technology companies like Facebook, Amazon, and Google have been scaling back their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. This move has drawn sharp criticism from Sindhu Gangadharan, the chairperson of NASSCOM, India’s IT industry apex body, and the managing director of SAP India. Gangadharan has expressed deep concern over these companies’ decisions, highlighting the importance of maintaining DEI initiatives to promote a fair and inclusive global corporate environment.

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Sindhu Gangadharan, who is a leading figure in

She expressed concern that such actions could have a negative ripple effect on other industries and regions, including India, especially when corporate actions are seen as a reflection of their values. Gangadharan emphasized the significance of staying true to these values, noting that successful companies must remain committed to DEI for long-term growth and global success.

Both Gangadharan and SAP India remain firmly dedicated to diversity, asserting that inclusivity should be ingrained in all facets of an organization, regardless of gender, belief systems, or faith. For Gangadharan, diversity is not just a moral stance but a strategic necessity—ensuring that companies understand the importance of diversity in product development, customer relations, and leadership.

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The comments made by Sindhu Gangadharan resonate deeply in the current global conversation around corporate responsibility and diversity. As companies grow larger and their influence expands, they carry the responsibility of being ethical leaders, especially in areas related to inclusion and diversity. Gangadharan’s disappointment in the actions of tech giants, such as Meta and Amazon, stems from the growing trend of these companies scaling back their commitment to diversity in the face of political pressures or economic constraints.

This shift in priorities, she argues, has a detrimental impact, not just within these corporations but across the entire tech ecosystem. The risk of a “negative ripple effect,” as Gangadharan puts it, could lead to broader setbacks in global efforts to foster inclusivity across all industries. The backlash is particularly severe in a country like India, which continues to fight against growing majoritarian sentiments and social divides. As a leader in the Indian IT industry, Gangadharan is advocating for companies to remain committed to their core principles, irrespective of external pressures.

Her argument is particularly timely as the conversation around diversity becomes more polarized. Many companies may claim to embrace DEI as a core value, but recent actions by major firms suggest that these commitments are increasingly being viewed through a financial or political lens, rather than as intrinsic to a company’s culture. Gangadharan’s message is clear: maintaining diversity is not only a moral imperative, but also a strategic one. The lack of diversity in leadership teams or product development can lead to suboptimal outcomes—especially in global markets where diverse perspectives are critical for success.

The statement that “diversity is embedded in product development, data modeling, and algorithm training” strikes at the heart of a growing issue in technology: the lack of diverse perspectives often leads to biased algorithms or underrepresentation in the products that are created. Tech companies, which are shaping everything from consumer products to public policy, must understand that the success of their global ventures depends on incorporating diverse viewpoints at every level of decision-making.

Moreover, Gangadharan’s reaffirmation of SAP India’s commitment to these principles is important. It offers a compelling example of how Indian tech firms can lead by example in this space, setting a standard for companies around the world. By building deeply ingrained value systems of inclusivity, SAP India stands as a role model for how the tech sector can successfully balance growth and diversity, regardless of external pressures.

Fact Checker Results:

1. NASSCOM

Impact of Political Pressures: Gangadharan accurately identifies political motivations as a major factor behind the rollback of diversity programs in these companies.
Commitment to Diversity at SAP India: SAP India, under Gangadharan’s leadership, continues to prioritize diversity and inclusion, reinforcing their value systems through policies and actions.

References:

Reported By: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/indian-it-industry-body-nasscom-head-upset-with-facebook-amazon-and-other-tech-companies-going-back-on-dei-says-it-is-absolute-/articleshow/118615895.cms
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