MAM
Hitachi hits the Venu button to drive India vision with digital force
MUMBAI: From steam engines to smart cities, Hitachi’s journey in India has always had power at its core and now, it has a new driver at the wheel. The Japanese tech and infrastructure giant has appointed N Venu as the managing director of Hitachi India, tasking him with steering the conglomerate’s ambitious Inspire 2027 strategy, which aims to turn Hitachi into a digital-first powerhouse.
With nearly four decades of experience, Venu has helmed Hitachi Energy in India since 2019, leading it through a period of rapid expansion. As the new MD, his focus will be on unlocking synergies across 28 Hitachi group companies in India, and scaling up the Lumada business, the company’s data-driven digital solutions arm by combining cutting-edge IT with Hitachi’s legacy in Operational Technology (OT).
The appointment signals a clear intent: to transform India into a global delivery hub for Hitachi, a strategy the company dubs “India for India and India for the World.” With 39,322 employees across its Indian operations (as of Q1 FY24), Hitachi’s footprint spans everything from rail, digital, energy, and e-healthcare to financial inclusion and e-education.
“India is a key market for Hitachi Energy globally and, through One Hitachi, is set to be a cornerstone of the company’s future worldwide growth,” said Venu, reflecting on his new role.
This move also aligns with the company’s long-term commitment to social innovation, blending technology, sustainability, and economic empowerment. Through Lumada, Hitachi is integrating data, digital systems, and domain expertise to solve real-world challenges from decarbonising power to modernising mobility.
Speaking on the appointment Hitachi Asia Ltd. chairman Kojin Nakakita noted Venu’s “deep understanding of the Indian market” as a key asset. Echoing this, Bharat Kaushal, executive chairman of Hitachi India, hailed the move as a reaffirmation of Hitachi’s plan to make India one of its “most lucrative business hubs.”
Venu’s leadership at Hitachi Energy has already helped the firm become one of India’s most vital players in electrification, a sector where over three billion people globally rely on its technologies. In India, Hitachi Energy operates as Hitachi Energy India Ltd. (Powerindia) and is listed on both the NSE and BSE.
Founded on a relationship that began in the 1930s with the sale of table fans and steam engines, Hitachi’s Indian story has evolved into one of cutting-edge innovation. With FY24 global revenues of 9,783.3 billion yen, 280,000 employees, and operations across four major sectors digital systems & services, energy, mobility, and connective Industries Hitachi is now betting on India to be the digital heartbeat of its next chapter.
With Venu at the helm, the company isn’t just charting a digital roadmap, it’s shifting into high gear.
Brands
33 per cent of women believe the salary scale is rigged: Naukri report
Voices @ Work study finds rising calls for equal pay audits and lingering bias
MUMBAI: Progress may be visible in India’s workplaces, but many women still feel the need to tread carefully. A new report by Naukri reveals that one in two women hesitate to disclose marriage or maternity plans during job interviews, worried that such information could influence hiring decisions.
The findings come from the second edition of Naukri’s annual Voices @ Work International Women’s Day report, titled “What Women Professionals Want.” Drawing insights from more than 50,000 women across over 50 industries, the survey sheds light on evolving workplace aspirations alongside the biases that continue to hold women back.
One of the report’s most striking insights is the growing demand for equal pay audits. The share of women calling for regular pay parity checks has climbed to 27 per cent this year, up from 19 per cent a year ago. The demand now stands alongside menstrual leave as the most sought after workplace policy.
Interestingly, the call for pay transparency grows louder higher up the income ladder. Nearly half of women earning between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 1 crore annually say equal pay audits are a priority, suggesting that pay gaps become more visible as women move up the career ladder.
At the same time, confidence and ambition appear to be rising. About 83 per cent of women say they feel encouraged to pursue leadership roles, a significant jump from 66 per cent last year. Cities in southern India appear particularly supportive, with Hyderabad leading the way as 86 per cent of respondents there reported encouragement to step into leadership positions. The education sector recorded the highest sense of encouragement at 87 per cent.
Yet the report also highlights a growing trust deficit around pay equity. Nearly one in three women, or 33 per cent, say they do not believe men and women are paid equally at their workplace. That figure has risen from 25 per cent last year, pointing to widening perceptions of disparity as careers progress.
Bias in hiring and promotions continues to be the biggest hurdle. About 42 per cent of respondents say workplace bias is the main challenge for women from diverse backgrounds. The concern is consistent across major metros, with Chennai and Delhi NCR reporting similar levels.
Reluctance to discuss personal milestones during hiring processes is also widespread. While 34 per cent overall said they hesitate to share marriage or maternity plans in interviews, the anxiety increases with experience. Among professionals with 10 to 15 years of work experience, the figure rises to 40 per cent.
Info Edge group CMO Sumeet Singh, said the data reflects both progress and unfinished work. “Behind every data point in this report is a woman who is ambitious. The fact that 83 per cent feel encouraged to lead is something to celebrate. However, the fact that one in two still hide their marriage or maternity plans in interviews tells us the work is far from done. As India’s leading career platform, it felt not just important but necessary for us to shine a light on these gaps through the second edition of our report,” he said.
The report suggests that while ambition among women professionals is growing, structural changes around pay transparency, fair hiring and supportive policies will be key if workplaces hope to keep pace.
