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Meet Pakistani Man, Who Is Father Of Indian IT Industry, Built $100 Billion IT Firm As Ratan Tata`s Company First CEO, Now Valued At Rs 137,800,000,000,000
Success Story Of Faqir Chand Kohli: Ratan Tata's TCS, India’s largest IT firm, is known worldwide, but did you know who founded it and served as its first CEO? Faqir Chand Kohli, a visionary leader, played a key role in shaping India’s IT future, though his story remains unknown to many. Kohli's forward-thinking approach not only put India on the global software services map, but also helped build the $100 billion IT industry. He was instrumental in bringing IBM to India in 1991 through the Tata-IBM partnership. As TCS's first CEO and co-founder, Kohli laid the foundation for what is now a global IT giant, valued at Rs 13.78 lakh crore. Notably, former chairman of Cognizant India Ramkumar Ramamoorthy has worked closely with Faqir Chand Kohli during his time at TCS.
Faqir Chand Kohli: Early Life
Faqir Chand Kohli was born on March 19, 1924, in Peshawar, which was then a part of British India and is now in Pakistan.
He spent his early years in Peshawar before relocating to Lahore to pursue higher education. According to reports, he joined the Indian Navy after his father's death during his final year in college.
Faqir Chand Kohli: Education
Kohli completed his schooling in Peshawar and went on to earn a BA and BSc (Hons) from the Government College for Men in Lahore, affiliated with Punjab University. He excelled academically, earning a university gold medal.
In 1948, he graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Electrical Engineering from Queen’s University, Canada. After a year working with the Canadian General Electric Company, Kohli pursued an MS in Electrical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1950.
Faqir Chand Kohli: Professional Career
Kohli joined the Tata Group in 1951, starting at Tata Electric Companies. He became a director in 1970 and also worked with other Tata companies, including Tata Consulting Engineers and Tata Elxsi.
In 1974, he was named director-in-charge and later became deputy chairman of Ratan Tata's TCS in 1994. He also served as the President of NASSCOM in 1995–96, representing the Indian IT services sector.
Faqir Chand Kohli: The First CEO of TCS
In 1968-69, at the request of J.R.D. Tata, Kohli helped establish Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), becoming its first CEO and later serving as deputy chairman.
Over three decades, Kohli led TCS, transforming it into a global IT giant. He stepped down as CEO in 1996, leaving a legacy that still drives the company today.
Father Of The Indian IT Industry
He was recognized for his pioneering work in India's IT sector, Kohli was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian honour, in 2002.
His contributions earned him the title "Father of the Indian IT Industry," as he was instrumental in shaping and expanding the nation's software industry.
TCSs Global Expansion
Kohli played a crucial role in TCS’s global expansion, particularly through strategic engagements in the United States. His efforts resulted in significant contracts with companies like American Express.
He also recognized the opportunity presented by the Y2K issue in the 1990s, positioning TCS as the first Indian IT firm to address the problem. This foresight helped TCS achieve a billion-dollar revenue milestone by 2003.
Faqir Chand Kohli: Legacy
Faqir Chand Kohli passed away on November 26, 2020, at the age of 96. Widely known as the father of the Indian IT industry, he left an indelible mark on the global software landscape.
Kohli’s visionary leadership helped establish India as a key player in global IT services, a legacy that continues to thrive through TCS and the broader Indian software industry.