Azim Hashim Premji Indian businessman Date of Birth: 24.07.1945 Country: India

1. Biography of Azim Hashim Premji
2. Education and Early Career
3. Success at Wipro Technologies
4. Recognition and Achievements
5. Philanthropy and Social Impact

Biography of Azim Hashim Premji

Azim Hashim Premji, an Indian businessman, is the Chairman of Wipro Technologies, one of the largest software companies in India. Since 1999, Forbes magazine has consistently named him the richest person in the country.

Education and Early Career

Azim went to the United States to pursue his education but was unable to complete his studies in Electrical Engineering at Stanford University. He had to return to India due to his father's illness, where he helped support the family business of vegetable oil production and sales. In 1966, when Azim was 21 years old, his father passed away, leaving him with even greater responsibility. Despite the differences between his interests in high technology and the family business, Azim took on the challenge and successfully led the company.

Success at Wipro Technologies

Under Azim's leadership, Wipro, originally a company focused on vegetable fats and related products with a turnover of $1.5 million, transformed into one of the top 100 technology companies in the world, with an annual revenue surpassing $1.4 billion. His revolutionary strategies and multidirectional approach propelled the company to unprecedented heights.

Recognition and Achievements

In 2000, Azim was awarded an honorary doctorate by the Manipal Academy of Higher Education. The same year, Business India magazine named him the Businessman of the Year. He is also a member of the Information Technology Committee under the Prime Minister of India. Azim is highly regarded and respected in Asia, with Asiaweek magazine including him in their list of the 20 most influential people in the world in 2000. Forbes recognized him as one of the 50 richest people in the world from 2001 to 2003. In 2003, BBC described him as the Indian Bill Gates.

Philanthropy and Social Impact

Azim currently owns 84% of the shares in Wipro, with the remaining shares held by the company's co-founder. Additionally, he established the Azim Premji Foundation in India, which is solely financed by him. The foundation primarily focuses on education development in the country, promoting computerization in schools and special education programs to ensure that modern technologies are accessible to those with the desire and abilities to engage with them.