'For 8 years, I got 8 cheques': Mindtree founder reflects on serving Odisha for Re 1 a year

Widely recognised as one of India’s leading technology entrepreneurs, Subroto Bagchi co-founded Mindtree in 1999.

In an era where success is often measured by material wealth, corporate titles, and accolades, Mindtree co-founder Subroto Bagchi offered a poignant reminder that true wealth can lie in acts of public service. In a deeply personal post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Bagchi shared a photograph of a cheque issued by the State Bank of India, with a monetary value of just Re 1. The cheque, his last salary as Chief Advisor to the Government of Odisha for Institution and Capacity Building, held, in his words, priceless value.

“What is the biggest wealth in this one life that I would never ever part with?” Bagchi wrote. “For every year of the work I did with the government, the deal was that they paid me Re 1. For the 8 years out there, I got 8 cheques and this one here was my last salary drawn.”

Bagchi served the Odisha government for eight years, receiving a symbolic Re 1 salary for each year of service. He never sought compensation beyond that, choosing instead to dedicate his time and expertise to institution-building efforts in his home state. His final cheque — now framed and shared publicly — quickly went viral, drawing widespread admiration and praise.

Widely recognised as one of India’s leading technology entrepreneurs, Bagchi co-founded Mindtree in 1999, an IT and consulting firm that grew into a globally respected company. He began his journey there as Chief Operating Officer, eventually rising to the position of Executive Chairman. His tenure at Mindtree concluded in 2016, three years before the company was acquired by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and merged into what is now LTIMindtree.

In 2016, following an invitation from then Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Bagchi took up a new role as Chairman of the Odisha Skill Development Authority. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he also served as the state government’s chief spokesperson, playing a crucial role in public communication during the health crisis.

Though Bagchi is no stranger to wealth—he and his wife Susmita Bagchi have pledged hundreds of crores of rupees towards causes such as cancer care and skill development—he described the modest Re 1 cheque as a treasured possession, signifying something deeper than financial gain. For him, the cheque represented a journey of service, purpose, and belonging.

The post, shared via the official @skilledinodisha handle and from Bagchi’s personal account, struck a chord across social media platforms. Netizens lauded Bagchi’s humility and ethos of selfless service.

What is the biggest wealth in this one life that I would never ever part with? Well, for every year of the work I did with the government, the deal was, they pay me Rs 1. For the 8 years out there, I got 8 cheques & this one here was my last salary drawnpic.twitter.com/nVx2EZWv7K

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— Subroto Bagchi (@skilledinodisha) July 5, 2025

“Your gesture is a lotus in the mud of public virtue — its fragrance best left unannounced,” one user commented, poetically summarising the sentiment.

“We need more people like Subroto Bagchi in Odisha who are successful in their fields and committed to contributing to our beloved state in whatever way they can,” another user wrote.

Many praised the gesture as emblematic of rare integrity in public life, contrasting it with what they described as a growing culture of performative virtue signalling and personal gain.

“True selfless service, sir. A rarity in today’s world. Thank you for your great service to Odisha,” read another comment.