Dr. Ajai Chowdhry

Cofounder HCL, Padma Bhushan Recipient
Distinguished Fellow – NITI Aayog

Dr. Ajai Chowdhry is a visionary pioneer who cofounded HCL in 1976 with five others, with a dream of using the microprocessor and changing the world. He spearheaded HCL’s expansion into Singapore in 1980, and created a successful business spanning ASEAN, China, and Hong Kong. Today, HCL is valued at an impressive US $50 billion.

In 1995, Ajai took over HCL Infosystems and was instrumental in turning it into a leader in hardware products, systems integration, and mobile telephony through the distribution of Nokia handsets. Under his leadership over the next 15 years, it grew to become a Rs. 12,000 crore (US $1.6 billion) organization.

Ajai has played a leading role in the establishment of the electronics industry in India, serving on government committees since 1999. In 2009, he chaired a task force created by Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MEITY), which made ground-breaking recommendations regarding the country’s electronics import bill, warning that it would soon surpass the bill for imported oil. These recommendations formed the foundation of the Electronics Policy.

He is Chairman of the Mission Governing Board of the National Quantum Mission of India, Distinguished Fellow at NITI Aayog (public policy think tank of Government of India), and Fellow at Indian National Academy of Engineers. He has been nominated by MEITY as a Member to the Advisory Board of India Semiconductor Mission.

In recognition of his efforts to build the IT & Electronics industry in India, in 2011 he was conferred the prestigious Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian honour in India, by the Hon’ble President of India. He is the recipient of many other awards including Lifetime Achievement Award by Electronics Sector Skills Council of India (ESSCI) in 2024, Electronics Man of the Year 2010, CNBC TV18’s India Innovator of the Year Award 2010, and Cybermedia Business ICT Award 2013 for Lifetime Achievement in ICT.

As an institution builder, Ajai has played a crucial role in shaping centres of learning and creating spaces for intellectual growth and development. These include IIT Hyderabad and IIIT-Naya Raipur which he as Chairperson helped set up and develop into the reputable institutions that they are today. As Chairperson of NIFFT Ranchi, he was responsible for transforming it into National Institute of Advanced Manufacturing, to serve the needs of ‘Industry 4.0’. Ajai has also served as Chairperson of the Electronics Sector Skills Council of India (ESSCI).

Ajai’s philanthropic efforts include setting up a charitable trust called Swayam, which focuses on education and women’s empowerment, among other causes. Swayam has recently set-up the Aspire Scholarship for B.Tech students from eleven renowned engineering institutes across India. This prestigious initiative aims to provide essential support to aspiring engineers who face financial obstacles in their pursuit of higher education

He is also a Board Member of the Population Foundation of India and a Trustee of the Save Life Foundation.

Since 2011, Ajai has been deeply involved in nurturing, mentoring, and investing in startups and has personally invested in more than 50 of them. He is also on the Investment Committee of Electronic Development Fund and Canbank Venture Capital Fund.

Regarded as the ‘father of Indian hardware’, Ajai has been a relentless advocate of self-sufficiency in electronics. In keeping with this vision, he co-founded EPIC Foundation in 2021, a not-for-profit, with the aim to make India a Product Nation in electronics (and unleashing an economic potential of US $20 billion).

Ajai holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering from Jabalpur Engineering College. He has attended the Executive Program at the School of Business Administration at University of Michigan, US. He has also been awarded Honoris Causa (D.Sc) by IIT Roorkee, Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design & Manufacturing, Jabalpur, and University of Engineering & Management Kolkata.

His memoir, Just Aspire: Notes on Technology, Entrepreneurship and the Future, is published by HarperCollins India.

LinkedIn Instagram Twitter Facebook

www.ajaichowdhry.in

The Times Group presents
ET Now Global Business Summit 2024

Disruption | Development | Diversification

Contact Us

For Enquiry :Deven Satghare

Follow
Linkedin Facebook Instagram Youtube
Refund Policy | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | FAQs

© Copyright 2024. All Rights Reserved.

The Next Gen: DISRUPTION

Economic Disruption: We live in an era of disruption in which powerful global forces are changing how we live and work. Powerful disruptions are changing our world. The gig economy, remote work, and the sharing economy have disrupted traditional employment models. The new generation is often at the forefront of these economic changes, seeking flexibility and independence in their careers.

Technological Disruption: The new generation is witnessing rapid technological advancements and digital transformation. They are at the forefront of embracing and driving these changes, leading to disruptions in various industries. Examples include the rise of blockchain, artificial intelligence, and the gig economy. Frontier technologies such as the Internet of Things, smart robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence are boosting productivity growth, raising prosperity, and replacing mundane or dangerous tasks. They have the potential to do good across a wide range of domains, from healthcare to education

Cultural Disruption: Social movements and changing cultural norms are disrupting traditional societal structures. The new generation is actively involved in advocating for gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and racial justice, challenging the status quo and pushing for more inclusive societies. The connection between resilience, equity and inclusion is widely accepted by policymakers: evidence has shown that creating more equitable and inclusive societies is a crucial part of any economic strategy focused on resilience and recovery.

This will close in 49 seconds

The Next Gen: DEVELOPMENT

Skill Development: The new generation places a strong emphasis on personal growth and development. They prioritize continuous learning, self-improvement, and mental well-being. Tools like online courses, self-help apps, and social networks play a significant role in their development journey. It is important to have a conversation about how to begin closing the gap between what our students are learning and what the demands of the workforce will be once they enter. Half of us will need to reskill in the next five years, as the "double disruption" of the economic impacts of the pandemic and increasing automation transforming jobs takes hold.

Sustainable Development: This generation of leaders bears the responsibility of preserving and advancing the legacies of their businesses while actively championing sustainable practices across businesses, governments, local communities, and personal lifestyle changes to secure a brighter future for the planet. Sustainability, the buzzword across the world today, will have to take on a new avatar and become the soul of every organization - business or otherwise. Businesses cannot succeed in societies that fail.

Social Development: The next generation is deeply rooted in creating positive change in society by incorporating CSR, promoting digital literacy, improving access to quality education, and supporting public health initiatives. Smart living is about adapting the fruits of technology through models that are scalable, profitable and, importantly, ecologically and socially more sustainable.

This will close in 49 seconds

The Next Gen: DIVERSIFICATION

Geographical Diversification: The prime focus of the new-gen leaders will be on a geographic diversification strategy, either domestically or internationally, aiming to integrate its products and services as a routine in consumers’ lifestyles. This will mitigate the risks associated with regional economic fluctuations. In an interconnected world, diversity, shaped by globalization and technological advances, forms the fabric of modern society.

Business Diversification: The strategic expansion and diversification of businesses with investments in newer business avenues, will enhance the return on investment, reflecting the forward-thinking approach of the next-generation leaders' eagerness to innovate. Companies are discovering that, by supporting and promoting diverse products and services, they are gaining benefits that go beyond the optics.

Workforce Diversification: To achieve geographical and business diversification, the next generation of leaders will aim at prioritizing workforce diversity, to boost job growth and create together a multitude of ideas and perspectives, igniting innovation and creativity. In times of increasing disruption and uncertainty, companies need to continue to prioritize diversity and inclusiveness (D&I) for the benefit of their culture — and their bottom line.

This will close in 49 seconds