1. Azim Premji
Name Azim Premji
Born on 24 July 1945
Place of Birth Mumbai, India
Educated from Stanford University
Works for Wipro
Valued at US $ 16.8 billion
Position CEO
Married to Yasmeen
Early life
Azim Premji, a man of brilliance is the CEO of WIPRO, one of the largest software companies in
India. According to Forbes he was the richest man in the country from 1999 to 2005.He over the
years has emerged as the 'tech king' of the country.
He was born on 24th July 1945 in Mumbai. His father MH Hasham Premji owned the Western India
Products, which made hydrogenated vegetable oils and fats.
Azim Premji did his schooling from St. Mary’s School I.C.S.E. at Mazagaon, Mumbai. Premji had to
leave his studies in electrical engineering from Stanford University, California, USA at the age of 21
to handle the family business when his father suddenly died in 1966. At that time MH Hasham
Premji's net worth was estimated to be $2 million.
Premji eventually sought and received permission to study an arts course by correspondence to
complete the requirements for his bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
Family
Azim Premji is married to Yasmeen. The couple has two children, Rishad and Tariq. Rishad is
married to Aditi and is currently the Chief Strategy Officer of IT Business, Wipro Technologies.
WIPRO -Company Profile
WIPRO was initially known as Western India Vegetable Products Ltd, and was started by
Mr.M.H Premji. The company manufactured vegetable oil, vegetable ghee and laundry soap.
In 1966, upon the sudden demise of M.H. Premji, his son, Mr. Azim Hasham Premji, a 21-
year-old student of engineering at Stanford University, had to takeover his father's business.
He worked very hard to diversify and expand, WIPRO. The business diversified into fluid
power, soaps, toiletries, lighting and baby care products, and distribution was considerably
expanded.

2. The Infotech era began in the late seventies and WIPRO set up its IT business in Bangalore
in 1980. WIPRO became the No.1 listed company in the country in just 15 years. In
reorganization, the firm went public with WIPRO Technologies, the global IT services
subsidiary, whose gross income grew by 65 percent to reach ` 1042 crore ($240
million).WIPRO'S technology divisions, global R&D and telecom solutions contributed 46
percent of the software revenue, and the balance was accounted for by enterprise solutions
business. E-commerce contributed 15 percent of enterprise solutions revenue for the year.
Sales and other incomes of the second division, Wipro InfoTech, the Indian IT services and
products business that takes care of networking solutions, customer services, computers and
peripherals, grew by 20 percent to ` 825 crore.
Financial status
Azim Premji transformed WIPRO ltd (western India products ltd) from a vegetable-oils maker into a
robust IT company, which is ranked 3rd amongst India's computer service providing companies.
He took over his father's business at the age of 21; after he joined WIPRO he slowly and steadily
entered into other product lines such as ethnic ingredient based toiletries, hair care soaps, lightning
products and hydraulic cylinders. Thereafter he shifted his focus from soaps to software. In the
1980's WIPRO entered into the technology field. Since his immigration into his father's business he
has transformed a US $2million company into a global technology group with $2.5 billion in sales.
Premji is a very simple man with a frugal lifestyle who flies economy class and prefers staying in
company guest houses rather than luxury hotels.
Achievements and Awards
Achievements
1. He is the second richest man in India.
2. Transformed WIPRO from vegetable-oils company to a large software giant.
3. In the year 2001, Premji established the Azim Premji Foundation, a not-for-profit organization
with a Vision of significantly contributing to quality primary education for every child, in order
to build a fair, equitable, humane & sustainable society.
4. Member of Prime Minister's Committee for trade and industry in India.
5. He has made WIPRO the biggest BPO service provider in India.
Awards
1. Premji was honored with the Business Man Of The Year award in 2000 by Business India
and Business Leader of the year in 2004 by Economic Times.
2. Time listed him in April 2004 as one amongst the 100 most influential persons in the world.
3. He was named by Fortune in August 2003 as one of the 25 most powerful business leaders
outside the US. Also in 2003 listed him as one of the ten people globally who have the

3. “power to effect change” .Business Week in October 2003 featured him on their cover with
the sobriquet “India's Tech King”
4. Government of India awarded him the Padambhushana.
5. In 2005 he became the first Indian recipient of the Faraday Medal. Wesleyan University,
USA, Indian Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Aligarh
University and Visveswaraya Technological University have all presented him with honorary
doctorates, while XLRI, Jamshedpur has conferred the Sir Jehangir Ghandy Medal for
Industrial and Social Peace. In 2000, the Institute of Electronics and Telecommunication
Engineers conferred its highest honor - the Honorary Fellowship. The US-India Business
Council has honored him with the “Global Vision” award.
Biggest Philanthropist of India
Azim Premji Foundation is a not-for-profit organization formed 9 years ago and is funded single
handedly by him. It is established with a vision to contribute to systemic changes in Indian education
that facilitates a just, equitable, humane and sustainable society. Active since 2001, the Foundation
has engaged with over 2.5 million children in 20,000 schools across 13 States through a dedicated
workforce of over 250 professionals and hundreds of paid volunteers Premji is amongst those rare
breeds of Asian entrepreneurs who put their wealth for philanthropic use.
Azim premji “MY LESSONS IN LIFE”
The first thing I have learnt is that we must always begin with our strengths.
The second lesson I have learnt is that a Rupee earned is of far more value then five found.
The third lesson I have learnt is that no one bats a hundred every time. Life has many
challenges. You win some and lose some. You must enjoy winning.
The fourth lesson I have learnt is the importance of humility.
The fifth lesson I learnt is that we must always strive for excellence.
The sixth lesson I have learnt is never give up in the face of adversity.
The seven lesson I have learnt is that while you must be open to change, & do not
compromise on your values.
And the final lesson learnt is that we must have faith in our own ideas even if everyone tells
us that we are wrong.
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