Early Life
Shiv Nadar was born on July 14, 1945, in Moolaipozhi, Tamil Nadu, India. He received his early education in Tamil Nadu, attending various schools including Town Higher Secondary School, Kumbakonam, and Elango Corporation Higher Secondary School, Madurai. He earned a pre-university degree from the American College, Madurai, and a degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore in 1967.
Rise to Success
Nadar began his career at Cooper Engineering Ltd. in Pune in 1967. In 1976, he founded HCL (Hindustan Computers Limited) with an initial investment of ₹187,000. He transformed HCL from a hardware company to a leading IT enterprise over three decades. Nadar ventured into the international market in 1980 by establishing Far East Computers in Singapore. HCL Technologies went public in 2000. In 2020, he stepped down as chairman of HCLTech, with his daughter, Roshni Nadar Malhotra, taking over.
Key Business Strategies
Shiv Nadar focused on innovation and customer-centricity, which helped HCL become a global IT services giant. Strategic acquisitions, such as Axon and Geometric, expanded the company's capabilities and global reach. His vision propelled HCL to the forefront of the technology revolution.
Philanthropy
Nadar founded the Shiv Nadar Foundation in 1994, focusing on education and rural development. He established the SSN College of Engineering in Chennai in 1996 and has been a strong supporter of educational institutions. He is known for his significant philanthropic contributions, donating approximately ₹5.6 crore daily in 2022-2023. He has committed over $1 billion to charitable causes.