Azim Premji Business Leader and Visionary Philanthropist

Azim Premji is a highly respected business leader and visionary philanthropist. He is best known for his leadership at Wipro, a global information technology company he founded in 1945.

Azim Premji's business acumen and strategic vision have driven Wipro's growth into a multinational corporation with a presence in over 55 countries. He has also been instrumental in transforming the company into a leader in the IT services industry.

As a philanthropist, Azim Premji has made significant contributions to various causes, including education and healthcare. His philanthropic efforts have been recognized globally, with several awards and honors to his name.

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Azim Premji was born in Bombay, India, to a Gujarati Ismaili Muslim family. His father, Muhammad Hashim Premji, was a well-known businessman and entrepreneur.

Muhammad Hashim Premji was also known as the Rice King of Burma. He had a significant impact on his son's life, as he turned down an invitation from Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, to move to Pakistan.

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Azim Premji joined Stanford University to pursue engineering courses. He was determined to succeed in his studies, but his father's unexpected death in 1966 forced him to return to India and take over the family business.

Premji later cleared his degree in Electrical Engineering via correspondence courses he was undertaking for himself.

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Azim Premji's father started Western Indian Vegetable Products Ltd in 1945, which initially manufactured cooking oil and laundry soap.

The company was based in a small town in the Jalgaon district of Maharashtra, where Premji's father had a vision for the business.

In 1966, Premji's father passed away, prompting 21-year-old Azim Premji to return from Stanford University and take charge of the family business.

Azim Premji expanded the company's product line to include bakery fats, toiletries, hair care soaps, baby products, lighting, and hydraulic parts.

He also diversified the company's focus, making a focused shift from soaps to software in the 1980s.

This shift was triggered by the expulsion of IBM from India, which gave Premji the opportunity to enter the high-technology sector.

In 1980s, Premji changed the company name to Wipro and entered the high-technology sector by manufacturing minicomputers in technological collaboration with an American company Sentinel Computer Corporation.

In 2006, Premji set up his family office named PremjiInvest (PI), marking a significant milestone in his business journey.

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Azim Premji is a highly recognized and respected individual in the business world. He has been named one of the "Greatest Entrepreneurs" by Business Week for his role in making Wipro one of the world's fastest-growing companies.

In 2000, Premji received an honorary doctorate from the Manipal Academy of Higher Education. This is a testament to his dedication and commitment to his work.

Premji has also been awarded the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian award, in 2005. This award recognizes his outstanding contributions to trade and commerce.

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In 2009, Premji was awarded an honorary doctorate from Wesleyan University for his philanthropic efforts. This is a significant achievement, as it highlights his commitment to giving back to society.

He was also awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian award, in 2011. This award recognizes his exceptional service to the nation.

Here are some of the notable awards and recognition Azim Premji has received:

In 2018, Premji was conferred with the Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur, the highest French civilian distinction, by the French Government. This is a significant achievement, as it recognizes his contributions to philanthropy and business.

Overall, Azim Premji's awards and recognition are a testament to his dedication and commitment to his work.

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Azim Premji became the first Indian to sign up for the Giving Pledge, a campaign led by Warren Buffett and Bill Gates. He is the third non-American after Richard Branson and David Sainsbury to join this club.

He strongly believes that those of us, who are privileged to have wealth, should contribute significantly to try and create a better world for the millions who are far less privileged.

By April 2013, he had already given more than 25% of his personal wealth to charity. In July 2015, he gave away another 18% of his shares in Wipro, bringing his total contribution to 39%.

His lifetime giving now stands at $21 billion. In April 2019, Azim Premji became the top Indian philanthropist.

Here are some key milestones of his philanthropic efforts:

He has stated: "I strongly believe that those of us, who are privileged to have wealth, should contribute significantly to try and create a better world for the millions who are far less privileged."

Azim Premji is married to Yasmeen Premji, who is also a well-renowned writer and philanthropist, and they have two children, Rishad and Tariq.

He is a man of simple living and dislikes ostentation, which is evident in his choice of flying economy class and driving an ordinary car despite being one of the richest men in India.

Azim Premji's children have followed in his footsteps, with Rishad Premji becoming the executive chairman of Wipro, just like his father before him.

Azim Premji is married to Yasmeen Premji, a well-renowned writer and philanthropist. They have two children, Rishad and Tariq, who have grown up to make their mark in the business world. Rishad is the executive chairman of Wipro, just like his father before him.

Premji is a man of simple living and dislikes ostentation, which is evident in his preference for flying economy class and driving an ordinary car despite being one of the richest men in India. He is the epitome of humility and responsibility.

He and Yasmeen share a deep commitment to societal welfare, which is reflected in their philanthropic efforts.

Azim Premji's legacy is a testament to the power of vision and tenacity. He transformed millions of lives through his inspiring leadership at Wipro.

Premji's philanthropy has made a significant impact on society. His tireless efforts for social responsibility and innovation have inspired a whole generation of entrepreneurs and social changemakers.

One of the key aspects of Premji's legacy is his ability to balance business and philanthropy. Together, they demonstrate the transformative potential of wealth when accompanied by a sense of responsibility toward society.

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Azim Premji has been recognized as one of the "Greatest Entrepreneurs" by Business Week for his role in Wipro's emergence as one of the world's fastest-growing companies.

He has received numerous honorary doctorates, including from Manipal Academy of Higher Education in 2000 and Wesleyan University in 2009, for his outstanding philanthropic work.

In 2005, the Government of India honored him with the title of Padma Bhushan for his outstanding work in trade and commerce.

He was awarded Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian award by the Government of India, in 2011.

Here are some of the notable awards and recognitions he has received:

India Today magazine ranked him 9th in India's 50 Most Powerful People of 2017 list.

Forbes magazine featured him on the "Heroes of Philanthropy list of 30 altruists" in the Asia-Pacific region in 2019.

He has also been recognized as one of the world's most generous philanthropists outside of the US by Forbes.