From co-founding Infosys to leading Aadhaar, Nilekani has been at the forefront of India’s digital revolution. He recently donated Rs 315 crore to his alma mater IIT Bombay, marking 50 years of his association with the institute.
Nandan Nilekani is a renowned Indian businessman, technologist, and public servant. He has had a significant impact on the Indian IT industry and public policy. He is a role model for young Indians who aspire to make a difference in the world.
Nandan Nilekani’s profound expertise and experience in information technology have positioned him as a driving force behind India’s development. His contributions have been instrumental in creating and implementing transformative digital public infrastructure projects that have reshaped the country’s technological landscape.
One of Nilekani’s most significant achievements is the Aadhaar project. As the unique identification system for Indian citizens, Aadhaar has revolutionized the way individuals access government services, participate in financial transactions, and assert their identity. Nilekani’s visionary leadership and strategic guidance have played a crucial role in its successful implementation, empowering millions of Indians with a secure and verifiable identity.
Nilekani’s relentless pursuit of leveraging technology for the betterment of society has positioned him as a catalyst for change. His impact on India’s digital transformation continues to shape the country’s future, driving innovation, and empowering millions of individuals with the tools they need to thrive in the digital age.
Co-founding Infosys
Born in Bengaluru and educated at IIT Bombay, Nilekani laid the foundation for his successful career in technology and business. In 1981, he co-founded Infosys with six other engineers, a global consulting and technology corporation that would become a catalyst for India’s technological growth. Nilekani served as Infosys’s CEO from 1994 to 2002. He then served as the company’s chairman from 2002 to 2014.
Under Nilekani’s leadership, Infosys grew from a small startup into a global powerhouse. The company’s revenue increased from $2 million in 1981 to $10 billion in 2014. Infosys also became one of the most valuable IT companies in the world.
Nandan Nilekani is one of India’s most influential and respected entrepreneurs, technologists, and philanthropists. He has played a pivotal role in shaping India’s IT industry, digital public infrastructure, and social sector. He has also been a champion of using technology for social good and empowering millions of Indians with digital access and inclusion.
Early Life and Education
Nandan Nilekani was born on June 2, 1955, in Bangalore, India. His parents were Durga and Mohan Rao Nilekani. His father worked as a general manager of Mysore and Minerva Mills. His mother was a homemaker.
He studied at Bishop Cotton Boys’ School and St. Joseph’s High School Dharwad, Karnataka PU College Dharwad and received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) in 1978.
Nilekani attended the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, where he studied electrical engineering. After graduating from IIT Bombay, he worked as a management consultant for McKinsey & Company.
He joined Patni Computer Systems, where he met and was interviewed by N.R. Narayana Murthy, who would become his mentor and co-founder.
The Infosys Story
In 1981, Nilekani, Murthy, and five others left Patni to start their own company, Infosys. Nilekani became the chief executive officer of Infosys in March 2002 and served as CEO of the company through April 2007, when he relinquished his position to his colleague Kris Gopalakrishnan and became co-chairman of the board of directors. He returned to Infosys as non-executive chairman in August 2017, after a boardroom shakeup and the sudden departure of its CEO.
Under Nilekani’s leadership, Infosys grew from a start-up to a global IT giant, with revenues of over $3 billion and a market capitalization of over $30 billion.
Infosys became one of the first Indian companies to be listed on the NASDAQ and one of the pioneers of the offshore delivery model that revolutionized the IT services industry. Infosys also became known for its corporate governance, social responsibility, and employee welfare.
Public Service
In 2009, Nilekani was appointed to the Planning Commission of India. The Planning Commission is a government body responsible for formulating India’s economic policies. Nilekani served on the Planning Commission for five years.
The Aadhaar Project
UIDAI is a government agency responsible for issuing Aadhaar, the world’s largest biometric identification system.
In 2009, Nilekani left Infosys to join the government as the chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), a new agency tasked with creating a biometric identity system for all Indians. The project, named Aadhaar (meaning foundation), aimed to provide a unique 12-digit number to every resident of India, along with their demographic and biometric data. The Aadhaar number would serve as a proof of identity and address for accessing various government and private services, such as banking, telecom, education, health care, and social welfare. Nilekani served as UIDAI’s Chairman for five years.
Nilekani envisioned Aadhaar as a platform for innovation and inclusion that would empower millions of Indians who lacked any official identity document or access to formal financial services. He also designed Aadhaar as an open-source, scalable, and secure system that would leverage the latest technologies and best practices from around the world. He led a team of experts and professionals from various fields and backgrounds to execute the project with speed and efficiency.
Aadhaar became the world’s largest biometric identity system, enrolling over 1.3 billion people in less than a decade. It also became the backbone of India’s digital public infrastructure, enabling various applications such as direct benefit transfers, e-KYC (know your customer), e-signature, digital locker, and unified payments interface (UPI).
Aadhaar has been hailed as a game-changer for India’s development agenda, as it has helped reduce leakages, frauds, corruption, and exclusion in various schemes and programs.
Revolutionizing India’s Identification System
During his tenure as the Chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), Nilekani led the groundbreaking Aadhaar project. By providing a unique identification number to every Indian citizen, this initiative transformed the delivery of government services and empowered marginalized individuals.
The Philanthropic Endeavors
Nilekani has also been actively involved in various philanthropic endeavors, both individually and with his wife Rohini. He has donated generously to various causes such as education, urbanization, biodiversity, microfinance, governance reform, and public health.
He has also supported several institutions such as IIT Bombay (his alma mater), Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS), EkStep Foundation (a not-for-profit initiative to create a learner-centric platform for children), Avanti Finance (a microfinance company), Fundamentum (a venture capital fund for technology start-ups), Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Pratham Books (a children’s book publisher), Akshara Foundation (an education NGO), among others.
Nilekani and his wife have also signed the Giving Pledge, a global movement initiated by Bill Gates and Warren Buffett to encourage wealthy individuals to donate a majority of their wealth to philanthropy. In their pledge letter, they wrote: “Wealth comes with huge responsibility and is best deployed for the larger public interest. We see ourselves as trustees of this wealth and are committed to using it for the greater good.”
Recognitions and Honors
Nilekani’s exceptional leadership and entrepreneurial prowess have earned him numerous accolades and international recognition. From being named “Asia’s Businessman of the Year” by Fortune Magazine to being listed as one of the “100 Most Influential People in the World” by Time magazine, his achievements have left an indelible mark.
Nilekani has received numerous awards and recognitions for his achievements and contributions, such as the Padma Bhushan (one of India’s highest civilian honors 2004), the Joseph Schumpeter Prize, the Forbes Asia Businessman of the Year, the Time 100 Most Influential People, the Foreign Policy Top 100 Global Thinkers, the Nikkei Asia Prize, among others. In January 2006, he became one of the youngest entrepreneurs to join 20 global leaders on the World Economic Forum Foundation Board.
Books authored by him
Nilekani is also an accomplished author, delving into India’s potential and challenges. He has also authored two books, Imagining India and Rebooting India, which offer his insights and perspectives on India’s past, present, and future. In “Imagining India,” he explores the country’s growth trajectory, while “Rebooting India: Realizing a Billion Aspirations,” co-authored with Viral Shah, addresses the opportunities and obstacles faced by the nation.
The Future Plans
Nilekani continues to be a visionary and a leader in the field of technology and development. He is currently working on creating an open digital network for India’s e-commerce market, called Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), which aims to help small merchants and retailers compete with larger tech companies. He is also involved in shaping India’s data governance framework, called the Data Empowerment and Protection Architecture (DEPA), which seeks to give individuals more control and choice over their personal data. He is also a vocal advocate of using technology for social good and addressing the challenges and opportunities posed by the digital revolution.
Conclusion
Nilekani is an inspiration and a role model for millions of Indians who aspire to make a positive difference in the world. He has shown that technology can be a powerful tool for creating social impact and empowering people. He has also demonstrated that success and wealth come with responsibility and generosity. He has truly transformed India with his vision, passion, and leadership.
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