Google's India-born CEO Sundar Pichai on Thursday had a hall filled with students laughing and joking during a lively townhall at the Shri Ram College of Commerce at the Delhi University.
Talking on a range of subjects -- from the future of software development in India to his obsession with football -- Pichai answered a series of questions put to him by students, teachers and social media users from across the country. The session was being hosted by cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle.
Here are some fun facts about the low-key, 43-year-old CEO who has been described by colleagues as an expert at "managing relationships".
Pichai was elevated in August this year after a major overhaul of the company's operating structure. Google created a new holding company called Alphabet. Pichai was appointed as head of a "slimmed-down" version of the company, Reuters reported.
1) Pichai is not really into the whole Twenty20 Cricket wave
"I grew up with Test Cricket and eased my way into the One Day Internationals. But by the time the whole Twenty20 cricket came into existence, I was far away to really get into it. So, no. I'm not very fond of it."
2) After Google Cardboard and Google Glass a product that allows you to bowl at 150 kmph?
When cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle asked him about the next big thing for Google, and chided about whether the world should look forward to such a products, Pichai jokingly said that he'd keep that product for himself and that he'd like to bowl at 150 kmph.
3) Would like to name the next Android OS after an Indian mithai
When a student asked him about why the names of the Android operating systems were named only after western desserts (i.e, Kit-Kat, Jelly Bean, Marshmallow) and not after Indian ones, Pichai promised that he would put up an online poll with the names of desserts (including Indian ones) for the next version of Android OS and let the public decide the new name.
4) Pichai would add sambhar to payasam when he was a kid
"I just.. I just wasn't very fond of sweets," said Pichai laughing.
5) Pichai is all about taking risks
He spoke about how Google is now providing answers to everything and the older definition of education has changed. More and more entrepreneurs were coming up. "But one shouldn't be afraid of taking risks. Even failure is a part of the process, it takes you forward," he said.
6) The Google CEO thinks one shouldn't be worried or ashamed of being insecure
"If you're feeling insecure, it just means that you are working with some really talented people. It will give you a chance to learn and grow. So don't be afraid of feeling insecure," explained Pichai.
7) When Pichai used to live in India, he could recall every single number he had ever dialled.
"It was easy back then," Pichai said shyly. "It was because the landline numbers back then were only five or six digits. But when I moved to the US and got hold of a smartphone, I didn't think about it..."
8) Pichai bought his first mobile phone in 1995 and his first smartphone in 2006.
9) The Google CEO currently has about 20-30 smartphones lying around in his house that he uses and tests from time to time.
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Talking on a range of subjects -- from the future of software development in India to his obsession with football -- Pichai answered a series of questions put to him by students, teachers and social media users from across the country. The session was being hosted by cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle.
Here are some fun facts about the low-key, 43-year-old CEO who has been described by colleagues as an expert at "managing relationships".
Pichai was elevated in August this year after a major overhaul of the company's operating structure. Google created a new holding company called Alphabet. Pichai was appointed as head of a "slimmed-down" version of the company, Reuters reported.
1) Pichai is not really into the whole Twenty20 Cricket wave
"I grew up with Test Cricket and eased my way into the One Day Internationals. But by the time the whole Twenty20 cricket came into existence, I was far away to really get into it. So, no. I'm not very fond of it."
2) After Google Cardboard and Google Glass a product that allows you to bowl at 150 kmph?
When cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle asked him about the next big thing for Google, and chided about whether the world should look forward to such a products, Pichai jokingly said that he'd keep that product for himself and that he'd like to bowl at 150 kmph.
3) Would like to name the next Android OS after an Indian mithai
When a student asked him about why the names of the Android operating systems were named only after western desserts (i.e, Kit-Kat, Jelly Bean, Marshmallow) and not after Indian ones, Pichai promised that he would put up an online poll with the names of desserts (including Indian ones) for the next version of Android OS and let the public decide the new name.
4) Pichai would add sambhar to payasam when he was a kid
"I just.. I just wasn't very fond of sweets," said Pichai laughing.
5) Pichai is all about taking risks
He spoke about how Google is now providing answers to everything and the older definition of education has changed. More and more entrepreneurs were coming up. "But one shouldn't be afraid of taking risks. Even failure is a part of the process, it takes you forward," he said.
6) The Google CEO thinks one shouldn't be worried or ashamed of being insecure
"If you're feeling insecure, it just means that you are working with some really talented people. It will give you a chance to learn and grow. So don't be afraid of feeling insecure," explained Pichai.
7) When Pichai used to live in India, he could recall every single number he had ever dialled.
"It was easy back then," Pichai said shyly. "It was because the landline numbers back then were only five or six digits. But when I moved to the US and got hold of a smartphone, I didn't think about it..."
8) Pichai bought his first mobile phone in 1995 and his first smartphone in 2006.
9) The Google CEO currently has about 20-30 smartphones lying around in his house that he uses and tests from time to time.
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