Indian American behind Google Chrome

When search giant Google launched its own Internet browser, Google Chrome, on September 2, it has one Indian American to thank for making it possible.

Sundar Pichai, a technology whiz-kid and an IIT-ian, was responsible for the development of the Google browser as the company's vice president of product development.

"We realised that we needed to completely rethink the browser. The Web gets better with more options and innovation Google Chrome is another option, and we hope it contributes to making the Web even better," Google's Sundar Pichai said in a blog post.

Pichai believes Chrome can capture a sizeable portion of the market. His blog also said that Chrome was designed for newer online content, such as videos, television and music.

Chrome is an open-source Web browser designed to rival Microsoft's new Internet Explorer version 8 and Mozilla Firefox.

The browser can be downloaded for free and since it has an open source code, no rights will have to be paid by those who use it.

With this, the Google strategy to become the category leader in all Internet-related areas is very apparent. Currently, Microsoft's Internet Explorer has over 70 per cent market share, followed by Mozilla Firefox at a distant second spot.

Pichai joined Google in 2004 and now leads product management and innovation efforts for a suite of Google's search products, including Google Toolbar, Chrome, Desktop Search, Gadgets, Google Pack, Google Gears, Firefox extensions and Mac products.

He has over 12 years of experience developing high-tech consumer and enterprise products. Before joining Google, he held various engineering and product management positions at Applied Materials, and was a management consultant with McKinsey & Company for a variety of software and semiconductor clients.

He holds an MS from Stanford University and an MBA from the Wharton School, where he was named a Siebel Scholar and a Palmer Scholar.

"He is responsible for our overall desktop strategy and ensuring access to Google services for our desktop users," said Google spokesperson Jay Nancarrow.

(http://us.rediff.com/money/2008/sep/05google.htm)

Portfolio of Rakesh Jhunjhunwala

For all those affiliated with the stock market, it is always fascinating to know what the other person is investing into, what are the stocks owned? Call it human nature, but its always interesting to know what the other person does, the ever inquisitive nature of mankind.

So we were also a bit inquisitive and decided to take a look at the holdings of Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, one of the savviest and smart investors on Dalal Street. He is a CA by profession and his name catapulted into fame when Forbes, in 2007, ranked him as the 51^st richest man in India. Son of an income tax officer, he started dabbling in stocks while in college. Rather than take a job, he plunged into investing, starting with around Rs.5000 in 1985 when the BSE Sensex was at 150; it is now over around 14,000. His privately owned stock trading firm Rare Enterprises, derives the name from first two initials of his name and wife Rekha's name.

Hence we thought it would be very interesting to know about his holdings and the stocks which he holds a substantial stake in. He is a long term investor and does not trade for short term profit. Take a look at his portfolio and maybe learn a few lessons. These shares are held by Rakesh and his wife Rekha Jhunjhunwala and form a part of his disclosed portfolio. There could be more holdings through companies, trusts, proprietary accounts which are not in the public domain.

NAME OF COMPANY	SHARES HELD (as on 30/06/08)	PRX (as on 5/08/08)	VALUE (Rs.in crores)
TITAN INDUSTRIES	39,85,756	1277	508.98
PRAJ INDUSTRIES	1,33,76,624	188	251.48
LUPIN LTD	27,52,135	753	207.24
CRISIL	5,50,000	3631	199.70
NARAGJUNA CONSTRN	1,24,50,000	134	166.83
BILCARE	20,25,000	640	129.60
PUNJ LLOYD	50,40,000	291	146.66
PANTALOON RETAIL	23,30,895	353	82.28
KARUR VYSYA BANK	24,94,073	348	86.79
BHUSHAN STEEL	8,20,000	922	75.64
GEOJIT FINANCE	1,80,00,000	43	77.40
PROVOGUE INDIA	3,80,000	850	32.30
GARWARE WALL ROPE	5,00,000	86	4.30
PRIME FOCUS	8,82,500	460	40.59
VICEROY HOTELS	47,50,000	51	24.22
INFOMEDIA INDIA	15,06,062	155	23.34
AGROTECH FOODS	17,03,259	126	21.46
ZENOTECH LABS	11,50,000	113	12.99
MID-DAY MULTIMEDIA	22,50,000	26	5.85
ION EXCHANGE	5,00,000	153	7.65
ZEN TECHNOLOGY	5,00,000	164	8.20
ALPHAGEO	1,25,000	413	5.16
JB CHEMICALS	10,81,650	47	5.08
AUTOLINE INDUSTRIES	12,11,622	182	22.05
MRO TEK	5,70,834	51	2.91
HIND OIL EXPLOR	61,00,666	136	82.97
TOTAL VALUE OF PORTFOLIO – Rs. 2231.67 crore.