A man's past achievements are often stepping stone to his future accomplishments. And in case of Subodh Bharagava, Chairman, VSNL this is truer as he had already established his credential before taking over the prestigious post at the VSNL. In fact, Bhargava's tenure at the board was remarkable enough for his predecessor Ratan Tata, former Head of VSNL to recommend his name when the top post fell vacant. This is for the simple reason that Bhargava had shown requisite grit and gumption during his earlier tenures.

A Mechanical Engineer from the University of Roorkee, Bhargava started his career in Balmer Lawrie & Co, Calcutta before joining the Eicher Group of companies in Delhi in 1975. It was in 2000 that he retired as the Group Chairman and Chief Executive and is Chairman Emeritus to the Group. A former President of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Association of Indian Automobile Manufacturers; and the Vice President of the Tractor Manufacturers Association, Bhargava had a remarkable career during and held many high posts. In fact, for several years, Bhargava was a key spokesperson for the Indian industry, helping in policy formulation and trying to devise new techniques for the industrial sector to cope with the changing environment. He was also Chairman of the National Accreditation Board for Certifying Bodies (NABCB) under the aegis of the Quality Council of India (QCI).

Known for his foresight and practical approach to industrial problems, Bhargava was an esteemed Member of the Insurance Tariff Advisory Committee, the Economic Development Board of the government of Rajasthan. Bhargava has been closely involved in the arena of management and technical education in the country. A former Chairman of the board of Apprenticeship training and Member of the Board of Governors of the University of Roorkee, Bhargava is currently on the board of IIM, Indore; and was on the board of the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, Ahmedabad and Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, New Delhi. He is a Member, Technology Development Board, Ministry of Science & Technology.

Bhargava, who has achieved many a milestone during his eventful career, ha always been eager to adopt new management theories, Bhargava is also Director of several Indian companies besides VSNL. The impressive list includes Tata Steel Ltd, Power Finance Corporation Ltd., GlaxoSmithkline, Carborundum Universal Ltd., Wartsila India, Samtel Colour Limited, Rane Engines Valves Ltd., TRF Ltd., SRF Ltd., Batliboi Ltd. and DCM Engineering Ltd. Furthermore, he is also Chairman of both the CII Policy Council and the CII SAARC Committee. The philanthropic side of Bhargava has seen his active involvement in various issues. For years he has been working very closely with various institutes and NGO's and has invariably brought hopes and smiles to many lives through his philanthropic endeavors. He is Chairman, Charity Aids Foundation ( CAF); Executive Trustee, National Centre for Promoting Employment to Disabled Person ( NCPEDP ) and Trustee of Bhartiya Yuva Shakti Trust ( BYST ) and Darpan Academy, Ahmedabad. A man of astounding experiences and known for his capacity to shoulder various responsibilities with dexterity, Ratan Tata was quite right in naming Bhargava to the prestigious post; for, he knew, here is the man who delivers what he promises.