Azim Premji: The visionary leader connecting technology and philanthropy

Azim Premji, the former chairman of Wipro Limited, was recently honoured by a business magazine for his contributions to business and philanthropy

Azim Premji is best known as the founder and chairman of Wipro Limited, one of India’s leading information technology companies.

Born on July 24, 1945, in Mumbai to a wealthy business family, he later went on to be regarded as one of the most influential and successful entrepreneurs in India. Premji took over Wipro Limited, the family-owned business, from his father in 1966, when the company primarily dealt in vegetable oil production. He quickly realised the potential of the computer industry and transformed Wipro into an IT company, which today is a global leader in software development, engineering services, and IT consulting.

Under Premji’s leadership, Wipro grew exponentially and became one of the largest software companies in India. He is also known for his philanthropic activities and has donated millions of dollars to education and other charitable causes through the Azim Premji Foundation.

With a net worth of $16.8 billion, Forbes listed Azim Premji as the third-richest person in India in year 2011. He has been recognised with numerous awards for his contributions to business and philanthropy, including the Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan, two of India’s highest civilian honours.

Awards and Accolades:  

Azim Premji’s contributions to business and philanthropy have earned him numerous awards and accolades. In addition to the Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan, he has received several prestigious international honours, including the Faraday Medal from the Institution of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the Forbes Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

• Premji was named one of Business Week’s “Greatest Entrepreneurs” for his role in Wipro being one of the world’s fastest growing firms.
• 2000- The Manipal Academy of Higher Education awarded him an honorary doctorate in 2000.
• 2006- Azim Premji was named a Lakshya Business Visionary by the National Institute of Industrial Engineering in Mumbai.
• 2005- The Government of India awarded him the Padma Bhushan in 2005 for his remarkable contributions to trade and business.
• 2009- He received an honorary doctorate from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, for his excellent charitable activity.
• 2015- Mysore University bestowed an honorary doctorate on him.

Transformation of Wipro: 

When Premji assumed control of Wipro, it primarily focused on manufacturing consumer products such as cooking oil, soaps, and hydraulic cylinders. Recognizing the potential of the emerging computer industry, Premji shifted the company’s focus to IT services and software development. He steered Wipro’s transformation into a global technology corporation, expanding its operations and diversifying its portfolio to include software development, hardware, consumer care, and other sectors.

Growth and Global Expansion: 

Under Premji’s leadership, Wipro experienced remarkable growth and expanded its presence globally. The company established offices and delivery centres in various countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and several other European and Asian countries. Today, Wipro is a multinational corporation with a significant presence in the global IT industry.