Empowering through Innovation: Shiv Nadar's Trailblazing Journey

Early life and education

Shiv Nadar was born in 1945 in Moolaipozhi Village, located approximately 10 kilometers (6.2 mi) from Tiruchendur in Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu, India. His parents were Sivasubramaniya Nadar and Vamasundari Devi. Notably, his mother, Vamasundari Devi, is the sister of S. P. Adithanar, the esteemed founder of Dina Thanthi newspaper.

Nadar's educational journey began at Town Higher Secondary School in Kumbakonam. He also pursued studies at Elango Corporation Higher Secondary School in Madurai. From June 1955 to June 1957, he attended Town High School until transitioning to St. Joseph Boys Higher Secondary School in Trichy, where he completed his high school education. Subsequently, Nadar pursued a pre-university degree at the American College in Madurai before obtaining a degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from PSG College of Technology in Coimbatore.

Career and development 

Nadar embarked on his professional journey in 1967, joining Walchand group's Cooper Engineering Ltd. in Pune. However, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to venture out and establish his own business, forming partnerships with a group of friends and colleagues. Among his notable partners were Ajai Chowdhry (Ex-Chairman, HCL), Arjun Malhotra (CEO and chairman, Headstrong), Subhash Arora, Yogesh Vaidya, S. Raman, Mahendra Pratap, and DS Puri.

Their initial enterprise, known as Microcomp, focused on the sale of teledigital calculators in the Indian market. Building on this foundation, Nadar and his partners went on to establish HCL in 1976, with an initial investment of Rs. 187,000.

In 1980, HCL expanded its horizons and entered the international market by establishing Far East Computers in Singapore to sell IT hardware. Within the first year, the venture generated Rs 1 million in revenue, marking the beginning of their successful overseas operations. Throughout this period, Nadar retained his position as the largest shareholder while relinquishing management control.

In July 2020, Nadar entrusted the leadership reins to his daughter, Roshni Nadar, who made history as the first woman chair of a listed Indian IT company. Subsequently, in July 2021, Nadar stepped down as the managing director of HCL Technologies, passing the baton to C Vijay Kumar, the CEO of HCL Tech, for a five-year term.

As of October 2021, Forbes magazine recognized Nadar as the third richest person in India, with an estimated net worth of US$31 billion (Rs. 2,36,600 Crores). This remarkable success is a testament to Nadar's entrepreneurial vision, strategic leadership, and unwavering dedication to the growth and prosperity of HCL Technologies.

Philanthropic Work of Shiv Nadar

Nadar established the SSN College of Engineering in Chennai, Tamil Nadu in 1996, dedicating it to his father, Sivasubramaniya Nadar. He actively engaged in college affairs, including a generous contribution of Rs. 10 lakh worth of HCL shares. In 2006, he declared the college's commitment to fostering research and facilitating collaborations with foreign universities for the students' benefit. In 2005, Nadar became a member of the executive board at the Indian School of Business. In March 2008, his SSN Trust announced the establishment of two Vidyagyan schools in Uttar Pradesh, offering free scholarships to 200 students from 50 districts of the state. In February 2011, he visited the Town Higher Secondary School, donating computers and other equipment worth Rs. 80 lakh. Until 2014, Nadar served as the chairman of the board of governors at the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur or IIT-KGP), a renowned technical institute.

Empowering through Innovation

Moreover,  Nadar's leadership style, emphasizing his ability to inspire and motivate teams to achieve their full potential. Through his inclusive and visionary approach, he has built a culture of innovation and excellence within HCL Technologies, fostering a spirit of collaboration and pushing boundaries in the pursuit of breakthrough solutions.

"Empowering through Innovation: Shiv Nadar's Trailblazing Journey" serves as a source of inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs and leaders, showcasing the power of innovation, perseverance, and social responsibility. Nadar's story is a testament to the transformative impact of technology and the potential to create a lasting legacy by empowering others and driving positive change in the world.