Azim Hashim Premji, born on July 24, 1945, in Mumbai, India, is a prominent businessman and philanthropist, best known as the chairman of Wipro Limited. His journey from inheriting a small family business to transforming it into a global IT giant, coupled with his extensive charitable work through the Azim Premji Foundation, offers a compelling narrative of entrepreneurial success and social responsibility.
Premji grew up in a Gujarati Ismaili Muslim family, with his father, Mohammed Hashim Premji, founding Western Indian Vegetable Products Ltd. in 1945, based in Amalner, Maharashtra. The company initially produced cooking oil under the brand Sunflower Vanaspati and a laundry soap called 787. Despite an invitation from Muhammad Ali Jinnah to relocate to Pakistan during the partition, the family chose to remain in India, reflecting their commitment to their homeland.
Premji’s education began at St. Xavier’s School in Mumbai, followed by studies in electrical engineering at Stanford University. However, in 1966, at age 21, he had to return to India following his father’s sudden death to take over the family business, cutting short his academic pursuits. He later completed his degree through distance learning in 1999, showcasing his dedication to education.
Entrepreneurial Journey
Taking Over Wipro
When Premji assumed leadership, Wipro was a modest enterprise with revenues around $2 million, primarily focused on hydrogenated cooking oil and soap. The challenge was significant for a young man with limited business experience, but Premji saw opportunities for growth through diversification. In the late 1960s and 1970s, he expanded into bakery fats, ethnic ingredient-based toiletries, hair care soaps, baby toiletries, lighting products, and hydraulic cylinders, broadening Wipro’s market presence.
Entering and Transforming the IT Sector
The turning point came in the 1980s when Premji recognized the potential of the IT industry. The expulsion of IBM from India in 1978, due to foreign exchange regulations, created a market vacuum that Premji capitalized on. IBM’s exit left a gap in computer maintenance and services, which local companies like Wipro filled. Premji strategically entered the IT sector by manufacturing minicomputers in collaboration with Sentinel Computer Corporation from the U.S., marking Wipro’s entry into high technology.
By the late 1980s, Wipro shifted focus to software services, particularly custom solutions for the U.S. market, aligning with the global demand for IT outsourcing. This move was crucial, as it positioned Wipro to compete with emerging players like Infosys and TCS. Under Premji’s guidance, Wipro grew exponentially, achieving revenues over $10 billion by the early 21st century, operating in over 60 countries, and becoming a leader in IT services, BPO, and R&D.
Recent reports, such as those from Wipro’s Leadership Page, highlight his role in driving innovation, with Wipro investing in AI, cloud computing, and digital transformation, reflecting his ongoing influence even after stepping down as executive chairman in 2019.
CSR Activities and Philanthropy
Establishment of Azim Premji Foundation
In 2001, Premji founded the Azim Premji Foundation, a not-for-profit organization aimed at enhancing the quality and equity of education in India, particularly in government schools. This initiative was driven by his belief in education as a tool for social change. The foundation’s work has since expanded to include health and livelihoods, reflecting a holistic approach to social development.
Focus Areas and Programs
The foundation’s primary focus is education, with programs designed to improve teacher capacity, curriculum development, and policy advocacy. It collaborates with state governments, operating in over 350,000 schools across states like Karnataka, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, and Puducherry, as noted on Azim Premji Foundation’s Website. It employs over 1,000 people and has field institutes in 40+ districts, reaching millions of students.
Beyond education, the foundation addresses health through initiatives like improving nutrition and hygiene in Odisha, and livelihoods by supporting small and marginal farmers in Andhra Pradesh and setting up centers for mentally ill homeless individuals in Tamil Nadu. It also runs a grants program, supporting over 550 not-for-profits working with marginalized groups such as the urban poor, persons with disabilities, and tribal communities, as detailed on Azim Premji Foundation’s Grants Portal.
The foundation offers fellowships, such as the two-year Azim Premji Foundation Fellowship Program, aimed at developing education professionals for government schools, and scholarships for higher education, as seen on Leverage Edu’s Scholarship Page. It also operates Azim Premji Universities in Bengaluru, Bhopal, and is developing one in Ranchi, focusing on human development and social sector research.
Philanthropic Contributions and Impact
Premji’s philanthropy is notable, with him signing the Giving Pledge in 2013, committing to donate at least half his wealth. As of January 2023, his endowment for the foundation was valued at approximately USD 29 billion (INR 2,40,000 crore), with 66% of Wipro’s economic ownership allocated to it. His donations include significant contributions during crises, such as Rs 1,125 crore in 2020 for COVID-19 relief, covering meals, livelihoods, and healthcare, as reported by India Today.
Recent data shows his FY23 donations totaled Rs 1,774 crore, reinforcing his position as one of India’s most generous philanthropists, as per Moneycontrol News. His foundation’s impact is evident in its deep on-the-ground work, influencing national education policies like the National Education Policy 2020 and National Curriculum Framework, and providing resources like handbooks, libraries, and research reports, accessible on Azim Premji Foundation’s Resources Page.
Recognition and Awards
Premji’s contributions have earned him numerous accolades. He received the Padma Bhushan in 2005 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2011, India’s third and second-highest civilian awards, respectively, for his work in trade and commerce. He was listed among Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2004 and 2011, and voted among the 20 most powerful men in the world by Asiaweek in 2010. His business leadership was recognized by Forbes and Fortune, and his philanthropy by the EdelGive Hurun India Philanthropy List, where he topped in 2020.
Azim Premji’s legacy is twofold: as a visionary entrepreneur who transformed Wipro into a global IT leader, and as a philanthropist whose foundation has revolutionized education and social welfare in India. His journey from a young heir to a global business icon, combined with his commitment to giving back, offers a model of success that balances profit with purpose. As of March 2025, his influence continues, with recent donations and Wipro’s ongoing innovations underscoring his enduring impact.
