Hot Seat

In the service of the nation

Lt Col HS Bedi, Managing Director, Tulip IT Services, played a significant role in the computersation of the Indian Army. Tanu Talwar writes about his inspirations as an entrepreneur

Lt Col HS Bedi’s overwhelming enthusiasm and the zest to succeed in every task undertaken, has made Tulip IT Services a brand to reckon with. Under his able leadership the company has crossed several milestones and has revolutionised data connectivity, overcoming the large copper last mile shortfall and creating the country’s largest Multi Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) Wireless network covering over 550 cities. This target has been achieved by adopting a well thought growth strategy of diversification and consolidation of network integration and connectivity services.

The ‘Vishisht Seva’ medal awarded in 1994, by the President of India to Lt Col HS Bedi, speaks volumes about the prominent role played by him in the computerisation of the Indian Army.

Coming from a close-knitted family in New Delhi, Bedi is second among four siblings. Keeping up with the family tradition of serving the nation, he joined the National Defense Academy. After passing out, he joined the Indian Army and was commissioned to the 72-armored regiment. For Bedi, his tenure in the army groomed him in more ways than one. Besides developing management and leadership qualities, he got the opportunity to study computer science. Though his job required him to be on constant move, it was during his posting in Mhow (Madhya Pradesh) that he discovered his passion for computers. Bedi recalls, “I got an opportunity to learn computers in the Army’s Faculty of Computer Technology at MCTE, Mhow. My involvement with the computer in 1982 was a definite turning point of my life.” The skills that he had gained during his training were promptly acknowledged as he was soon appointed as an instructor in the faculty. Thereafter, he was called upon and trusted to develop a large number of technology solutions for various Army Headquarters directorates. In order to give due recognition to his talent he was posted to the Army Headquarters to coordinate the Army’s automation.

However, after serving the army for 22 years, Lt Col HS Bedi decided to give shape to his dream by putting his leadership qualities in the field of information technology to practice. Bedi recalls, “I became increasingly passionate about IT and decided to display my entrepreneurial skills by starting up my own company. I took over the business of Tulip as a director.”

His dedication towards the company can be largely judged from his involvement in all aspects of Tulip’s business processes, ranging from sales and support to every single operation. With a prestigious list of customers that include HDFC Bank, Temasek Bank, Punjab National Bank, Airtel and Tata Power among others, customer satisfaction is a top priority for Bedi. To ensure this he strongly believes in resting adequate freedom with his employees so as to enable them to take timely decisions and deliver their best. For Bedi, employees play an important role in determining the future of the company. He therefore, believes in hiring and retaining the best talent by ensuring adequate growth opportunities for each employee and sharing the wealth of the company with the personnel as per their contribution towards the growth of the organisation.

Till recently one of the biggest challenges for Tulip was gaining funds. However, the problem was soon addressed by the company’s successful IPO last December. According to Bedi, Tulip’s greatest strength is its agility and unique technical capacity that makes it a school for ‘wireless engineers’. His biggest achievement so far has been the successful network set up in the hilly and densely vegetable areas of Malappuram district of Kerala for Project Akshaya. The commendable results achieved by the company in the e-governance project resulted the Government of India to take notice and roll out similar network projects to every panchayat in the country.

In his free time, Bedi likes to watch movies, read and go on short vacations with his family.