Early Life
Shiv Nadar was born on July 14, 1945, in Moolaipozhi, Tamil Nadu, India. He studied at Town Higher Secondary School, Kumbakonam, and later at Elango Corporation Higher Secondary School, Madurai, and St. Joseph Boys Higher Secondary School, Trichy. He received a pre-university degree from American College, Madurai, and a degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore.
Rise to Success
Nadar's career began at Cooper Engineering Ltd. in Pune. In 1976, he founded HCL with a few partners. Under his leadership, HCL evolved from an IT hardware company to a global IT enterprise. In 2020, he handed over the chairmanship of HCL Technologies to his daughter, Roshni Nadar Malhotra. As of 2024, HCLTech employs over 220,000 people across 60 countries.
Key Business Strategies
Nadar's success is attributed to his vision and ability to adapt to the changing IT landscape. His focus on innovation, partnerships, and a commitment to engineering and research has kept HCL at the forefront of technological advancements for over 45 years. His strategic decisions propelled HCL to global recognition.
Philanthropy
Nadar is known for his significant philanthropic contributions, particularly in education. He founded the Shiv Nadar Foundation in 1994, which has invested over $1.7 billion in educational institutions and initiatives. He has consistently been recognized for his generosity, topping the EdelGive-Hurun India Philanthropy List in 2024 with donations of $274 million.