Satyam staff keep their fingers crossed

HYDERABAD: Amid the raging controversies, some employees in Satyam Computer Services have embarked on a job search, while a large workforce has kept its fingers crossed on the future of the company in the wake of reports suggesting that there is a likelihood of change in management.

Interestingly, over 90 of 100-odd associates of the company, in their private conversations, in the last fortnight, told this correspondent that it was a win-win situation for them. “If there is no change in leadership, nothing changes for us. Thousands of employees have been put in more than five years of service here,” said Harish, who works on a telecom software project.

Another project manager, who didn’t want to be identified, said: “If IBM buys the company and takes control over the management, they will try to push their products and thrust their ideology on us. If any other MNC (multinational company) takes the reins, they may be ruthless in firing employees. Satyam is not notorious for throwing out people in large numbers, though the recent financial crunch forced the company to bid adieu to a few hundreds of staff members.”

Once the scrip rode high on the bourses, customers would reinforce the confidence, said an executive in the senior management. Meanwhile, a website ( www.ramalingaraju.com ) was launched a couple of days ago with messages reposing faith in the leadership of Ramalinga Raju. Beginning with CEO of Megasoft G. V. Kumar, hundreds of Mr. Raju’s admirers are posting their comments pledging their support to him. Some even promised to invest in the company in favour of Mr. Raju. Mr. Kumar said: “It’s rather unfortunate that an entrepreneur and business-builder like him is being castigated for this just one single aborted step (right or wrong).”

From Amalapuram to America, Nuzvid to New Zealand, hundreds of people, including a large number of company employees, stood by Mr. Raju, while some cursed the analysts and media with the proverbial bell, book and candle for “maligning the Chairman of the company.”

P. Srinivasa Rao of Jallikakinada (Mr. Raju’s native village) described him as an eclipsed sun and predicted a ‘sun rise’ soon.

Rumours that some employees protested at Satyam Tech Centre in Bahadurpalli here and that Mr. Raju addressed the staff on Friday were, however, scotched by the company.