HCL employees chant ‘We want a hike’ as CEO Vijayakumar takes stage at Chennai event – viral video

HCL Employees Chant ‘We Want a Hike’ at Chennai Event

Theindiapostdaily.com – Viral videos from HCL Group’s golden jubilee celebrations have captured attention across social media platforms, but not for the usual reasons of corporate festivities. Instead, the spotlight falls on an extraordinary moment where HCL employees chant We want a hike during a live performance. The incident occurred at the Chennai edition of the company’s anniversary concert series, where employees made their voices heard in front of the organization’s leadership.

The Chennai event featured an exclusive live performance by renowned singer and composer Anirudh Ravichander, drawing hundreds of employees to the venue. As HCLTech CEO C Vijayakumar stepped onto the stage to greet the audience, a section of the crowd began chanting loudly. The now-famous video captured the moment when HCL employees chant We want a hike, with the CEO continuing to wave and smile without immediately responding to the passionate requests.

What the Viral Video Captured

The clip shows C Vijayakumar walking confidently onto the stage, acknowledging the cheering crowd. Within seconds, employees started their chant, creating an atmosphere that was both humorous and significant. One social media user shared the video on X, writing: “When the CEO of HCL came on stage, employees started chanting, ‘We want a hike!'” This simple yet powerful message resonated with millions of viewers worldwide.

“The incident represents an honest employee moment that unfolded in front of the entire audience, showcasing the transparency that exists within HCL’s workplace culture.”

Social media reactions poured in from various quarters. Many users praised the employees for using this high-profile occasion to express their expectations directly to the company’s top leadership. Others found humor in the situation, noting how rare it is to see such candid moments during corporate events. The video quickly accumulated thousands of views and shares, becoming a trending topic across multiple platforms.

About C Vijayakumar’s Leadership

C Vijayakumar, aged 58, has been a cornerstone of HCL Technologies’ growth trajectory. He was first appointed as CEO of HCL Technologies in October 2016, bringing extensive experience to the role. On 20 July 2021, he began his second term as CEO and simultaneously took on the additional responsibility of Managing Director following Shiv Nadar’s departure from the position.

Most recently, Vijayakumar received a significant five-year extension as the company’s top executive. According to a stock exchange filing, HCLTech approved his reappointment from 1 September 2025 to 31 March 2030, pending shareholders’ approval. The tech executive holds a bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from PSG College of Technology in Tamil Nadu and joined HCL as a senior engineer in 1994.

His contributions to the organization have been substantial. As part of the founding team of HCL Comnet, he played a pivotal role in establishing the Remote Infrastructure Management proposition, which has since evolved into a multi-billion-dollar global industry. Currently, he serves as a director on the boards of HCL America, HCL America Solutions Inc., HCL Latin America Holdings LLC, HCL Canada Inc., and Geometric Americas, Inc.

HCLTech initiated its golden jubilee celebrations this year to commemorate five decades since its establishment in 1976. The extensive programme began in April with a star-studded concert by singer Arijit Singh in the Delhi-NCR region. During that event, HCL Chairperson Roshni Nadar announced that the company would host nine concerts for employees across different cities as part of the anniversary celebrations. The Chennai event, where HCL employees chant We want a hike, stands as one of the most memorable moments in this year-long celebration.