There could not have been a worse paradox than this.
On a night when Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina's efforts were applauded and awarded in India, back in the US, it was a black Wednesday for one of the most powerful women in the corporate world.
While Balu Doraiswamy, managing director HP, India received the award for vision at Nasscom 2005 on behalf of Carly Fiorina, the high profile San Francisco-based HP chief executive officer, was being shown the door.
In a video conference acceptance speech Calry said she was proud to be associated with India and thanked Nasscom on behalf of the 150,000 HP employee all around the world.
At the function on Wednesday evening, there was even a slight confusion over the correct designation of the ousted CEO while she was presented the vision award.
Jerry Rao, chairman Nasscom and MPhasis addressed Carly as the CEO of HP and lauded her effort, "All leaders we are awarding tonight are achievers and global leaders in the best sense of the word."
A little later, noted actor Boman Irani, who was the master of ceremonies taking cue of the development in the US, addressed Calry as the former CEO of HP just before giving the vision award to Carly.
It is ironical when Nasscom awarded Calry "for a person whose foresight has helped, recognise and identify new market opportunities well before time, grow them and make them viable platform for business," she was removed from her position for failing to deliver.
Her controversial decision to merge Compaq with HP was termed as a failure by the HP board.
In her acceptance speech a cheerful and confident looking Carly, said, "It is a matter of pride to be a partner with many of you who have gathered at Nasscom. Four years ago, when I visited India I felt at home because the quality of services and entrepreneurial, spirit in India reminded me of Silicon Valley. In four years, India has emerged as a preferred partner for IT services with a committed group of leaders who are set to change India and the world. I would be privileged to be a part of this journey".
Carly joined HP in July 1999, led the company's controversial merger with Compaq Computer Corp.
Carly earned a bachelor's degree in medieval history and philosophy from Stanford University. Fiorina holds a master's degree in business administration from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland at College Park, , and a master of science degree from MIT's Sloan School.
