He said as part of Nortel's plan to invest in people, ideas and Entrepreneurs in India, the company would hire an additional 500 scientists and engineers for its various R and D activities. It would also invest for expanding its existing software development activities along with its partners and establish a Centre for Excellence with leading Indian universities to advance R&D and training, besides attracting students to next generation communication disciplines. Nortel Networks is also planning to open an `Internet Knowldge Centre' for development of Internet expertise in technologies, applications and professional services, Mr Chandran said.

Part of the proposed $350 million would be spent for improving India's export profile and performance by establishing a professional services centre and expanding Nortel's existing development facilities with current allies.

Mr Chandran said part of the fund would go for contributing to India's social evolution and economic development. Nortel would invite service providers and potential allies to dedicate a percentage of the backbone capacity to make high-performance Internet access at no cost for e-governance and education activities. Nortel will take the lead by contributing technology and skills to such activities, he added. Mr Chandran said Nortel was committed to help India's businesses, Internet service providers and government organisations to develop a world class optical fibre-based Internet and wireless Internet infrastructure capable of making a significant contribution to the country's economic and social progress.

"We are putting our money where our mouth is, when it comes to India", Mr Chandran said on his plans to make such a huge investment in India. Mr Chandran would be meeting top government officials and business leaders during his stay in India. He will also deliver a keynote address at the IT.COM 2000during the first week of November in Bangalore.