BWI: Deep Kalra, Kunal Bajaj, PN Vijay and Rajesh Ghonasgi Join One97 as Independent Directors

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: One97 Communication Pvt. Ltd.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010 12:31 PM IST (07:01 AM GMT)
Editors: General: People; Business: Accounting & management consultancy services, Business services, Information technology, Telecommunications; Technology
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Deep Kalra, Kunal Bajaj, PN Vijay and Rajesh Ghonasgi Join One97 as Independent Directors


New Delhi, Delhi, India, Wednesday, May 26, 2010 -- (Business Wire India) -- One97 Communications Limited ("Company") has recently inducted Deep Kalra, Kunal Bajaj, PN Vijay and Rajesh Ghonasgi as independent directors on its board. The Company, which has filed its Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DHRP) with Securities and Exchange Board of India for the proposed initial public offering of its equity shares, currently has Vijay Shekhar Sharma (Promoter/Founder, Director), Rajiv Madhok and Vibhor Mehra (Principal, SAIF Partners) on its board in addition to the independent directors.

"Each of the independent directors brings unique value and business acumen to the One97 board. Deep Kalra, Kunal Bajaj, PN Vijay and Rajesh Ghonasgi are well-respected professionals, who have been synonymous with excellence in their respective fields. I am proud that such credible professionals are strategic drivers of One97's future. I welcome them to the One97 board with all our support," he added.

Brief Bios

Deep Kalra, aged 40 years, is a non-executive, Independent Director of One97 Communications Limited He has been associated with One97 Communications Limited since January 2010. Kalra is the promoter of MakeMyTrip.com, one of the first online travel companies in India. After beginning his career with ABN AMRO Bank in the corporate banking division, Kalra has worked with leading multinational companies in India in senior capacities. His last assignment was with GE Capital as Vice President (Business Development). Kalra is a member of the Executive Council of NASSCOM and chairs their Internet Working Group. He is a board member of IndiaMart.com and TiE Delhi. Kalra is an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad and holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics from St. Stephen's College, Delhi.

Kunal Bajaj, aged 32 years, is a non-executive, Independent Director of One97 Communications Limited. He has been associated with One97 Communications Limited since April 2010. Bajaj is partner and director, India, for Analysys Mason, a global strategic consultancy firm focusing on the telecom, technology and media industries. Prior to joining Analysys Mason, Bajaj served as the managing director of BDA Connect, which he started in India in 2006 and was later acquired by Analysys Mason. Bajaj also holds the position of founding co-chair for the Mobile Marketing Association's India Local Council. In the past, Bajaj has served as Consultant (Projects) to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India ("TRAI"), leading TRAI's effort in achieving wide-scale internet usage and broadband penetration, along with contributing to licensing, spectrum, rural development and leased line policies. He has also advised on projects in India for the World Bank, multi-national companies, venture organizations and start-up companies. Bajaj holds a Masters degree in Telecommunications and Networking and Bachelors degree in Computer Science Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Bachelors degree in Management and Finance from the Wharton School.

P.N. Vijay, aged 58 years, is a non-executive, Independent Director of One97 Communications Limited. He has been associated with One97 Communications Limited since May 2010. Vijay is the promoter and managing director of P.N. Vijay Financial Services Private Limited, a boutique merchant-banking firm. Prior to founding his own venture in 1990, Vijay served as the Vice President and Country Head (Merchant Banking) at Citibank, and prior to that, he was associated with organizations such as ANZ Grindlays Bank and State Bank of India. Vijay is a member of the Investment Protection Fund Committee of the Government of India, and contributes to columns in leading financial publications such as Financial Express, Economic Times, etc. Vijay did his graduation in Physics from the Presidency College, Chennai, and his post graduation from IIT, Chennai, specializing in electronics.

Rajesh Ghonasgi, aged 48 years, is an Independent Director of One97 Communications Limited. Ghonasgi has been associated with One97 Communications Limited since May 2010. Ghonasgi currently serves as the chief financial officer of Persistent Systems Limited, where he is responsible for a number of functions such as financial planning, funds management, accounting and reporting, strategic initiatives, investor relations, risk management and control processes. Prior to joining Persistent Systems Limited, Ghonasgi was associated with a number of companies in the information technology sector such as Hexaware Technologies Limited, Deutsche Software (India) Limited, Wipro Limited, etc. Ghonasgi holds a Bachelor's degree in Commerce from Mumbai University, and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, the Institute of Company Secretaries, and is also qualified as a Cost and Works Accountant.

About One97 Communications Ltd.

One97 Communications Limited is India's leading Mobile Value Added Service Company. One97's Innovative mobile content, messaging, commerce services and made-to-order network applications offer new revenue streams to telecom operators. Working closely with service providers and enterprises, it offers customer lifecycle management and mobile marketing to enhance their profitability. Championing speed of delivery, One97 thrives on its widely deployed telecom applications service platform to deliver scalable, flexible and customized services. Funded by Intel Capital, SoftBank Asia Infrastructure Fund Partners and Silicon Valley Bank, One97 also invests and incubates new mobile technologies start-ups. (www.one97world.com).

"One97 Communications Limited proposes, subject to receipt of requisite approvals, market conditions and other considerations, to make an initial public offer of its equity shares and has filed a draft red herring prospectus ("DRHP") with the Securities and Exchange Board of India ("SEBI"). The DRHP is available on SEBI website at www.sebi.gov.in as well as on the websites of the book running lead managers at www.idfccapital.com and www.avendus.com. Investors should note that investment in equity shares involves a high degree of risk and for details relating to the same, see the section titled "Risk Factors" of the aforementioned offer document."

CONTACT DETAILS
Smita Rajan

KEYWORDS
PEOPLE, CONSULTANCY SERVICES, BUSINESS SERVICES, IT, TELECOMMUNICATIONS, TECHNOLOGY

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