Introduction
Wipro Founder Azim Premji is a name that commands immense respect — not just in India’s corporate world, but across the globe. Known for his razor-sharp business mind and deeply rooted values, he transformed a small family-run vegetable oil company into Wipro, one of India’s top global IT giants.
But his legacy goes far beyond profits and boardrooms. Azim Premji is also celebrated for his minimalist lifestyle and unparalleled philanthropic efforts, making him one of the most admired business leaders in the world.
This blog explores:
- The journey of Wipro’s transformation from a cooking oil firm to a global tech leader
- The principles that define Azim Premji’s leadership and values
- How he quietly became India’s largest individual donor, giving away billions for social change
The story of the Wipro Founder Azim Premji is not just inspiring — it’s a blueprint for building with purpose, leading with integrity, and giving back to society.
Early Life & Education
Azim Premji was born on July 24, 1945, in Bombay (now Mumbai) into a successful and respected business family. His father, Mohammed Hashim Premji, was known as the “Rice King of Burma” and ran a profitable edible oil business. At the time of India’s independence, Mohammed Hashim Premji was even invited by Muhammad Ali Jinnah to move to Pakistan — but he chose to stay in India, a decision that deeply shaped the family’s identity.
From an early age, Azim Premji displayed a sharp intellect, calm demeanor, and a strong sense of responsibility. He studied at St. Mary’s School, Mumbai, and later went abroad to pursue higher education.
He enrolled in Stanford University in the United States to study Electrical Engineering, driven by a passion for innovation and technology. However, at the age of just 21, tragedy struck — his father passed away unexpectedly in 1966.
Without hesitation, he returned to India and took charge of the family business, Western India Vegetable Products Ltd., setting aside his studies to step into leadership.
Decades later, he quietly completed his degree from Stanford through distance learning — a testament to his lifelong belief in the power of education.
This sudden shift laid the foundation for what would one day become Wipro, under the leadership of the determined and visionary Wipro Founder.
How He Took Over Wipro
In 1966, at just 21 years old, Azim Premji returned to India after receiving news of his father’s sudden death. He was in the middle of his engineering studies at Stanford University, but family duty called — and he answered.
He stepped in to lead the family business, then called Western India Vegetable Products Ltd., a small but successful company focused on manufacturing vanaspati (hydrogenated cooking oil) and laundry soaps. At the time, the company was based in Amalner, Maharashtra, and had no exposure to technology or global markets.
Taking over at such a young age — with no formal business experience — wasn’t easy. He faced skepticism from investors, employees, and even business associates. Many advised him to sell the business or bring in professional managers.
But the Wipro Founder had different plans.
First Steps of Leadership:
- He professionalized operations and focused on quality control.
- Introduced modern accounting practices and tight cost management.
- Focused on building a value-driven corporate culture, even in a commodity-based business.
Premji’s calm leadership style and clear focus soon started showing results. By the 1970s, the company had built a strong reputation for quality and trust — and he was just getting started.
“I had no choice. But once I was in, I knew I had to give it everything.” — Azim Premji
This early phase laid the foundation for a dramatic business transformation that would soon make headlines around the world.
Wipro’s Transformation into an IT Giant
When Azim Premji took over the family’s traditional business in the 1960s, it was focused solely on consumer products like vanaspati and soap. But by the late 1970s, he saw a new opportunity — India’s emerging technology landscape. While most Indian companies continued with manufacturing and trading, Premji had a different vision: he wanted to future-proof Wipro by diversifying into information technology.
The Bold Pivot
In 1981, Wipro made its first big move into tech by entering the IT hardware sector. The company began designing and manufacturing minicomputers — a pioneering step at a time when India’s tech industry was still in its infancy.
Premji’s approach wasn’t just to sell computers; he believed in building end-to-end solutions, and more importantly, investing in talent and research.
Investing in R&D and Talent
- Wipro launched a dedicated R&D division to focus on innovation.
- It aggressively hired engineers and trained them to meet global standards.
- It prioritized software quality, which later became Wipro’s signature strength.
This foundation enabled the company to move quickly into software development, IT consulting, and infrastructure management services, especially during the IT boom of the 1990s.
Global Expansion
Under the leadership of the Wipro Founder, the company soon expanded its reach to North America, Europe, and Asia. By offering reliable offshore IT services, Wipro gained the trust of global clients and became a recognized name in enterprise technology solutions.
Key Milestones
- 1999: Wipro became ISO 14001 certified, showing its commitment to sustainability.
- 2000: Listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) — a first for an Indian IT company.
- 2004–2010: Wipro crossed $1 billion in revenue, then $5 billion in just a few years.
Today, Wipro is one of India’s top four IT companies, with a global workforce of over 240,000 employees and operations in 60+ countries.
What started as a vegetable oil company is now a global tech powerhouse — all because of the forward-looking mindset of Wipro Founder Azim Premji.
Business Philosophy
The success of Wipro was never just about products or profits — it was deeply rooted in the principles and values of its leader. Azim Premji built Wipro not only as a business, but as a reflection of what he believed in: integrity, excellence, humility, and long-term vision.
Ethics Above All
At a time when shortcuts and corruption were common in Indian business, Premji made it clear: Wipro would never compromise on integrity. From refusing to bribe for contracts to walking away from deals that didn’t meet ethical standards, the company earned a reputation for trust and transparency.
“Success is not about how much money you make, but about the values you uphold.” — Azim Premji
implicity & Frugality
Despite being a billionaire, the Wipro Founder led an extremely modest life. He wore simple clothes, drove a Toyota Corolla, flew economy class, and avoided all excess. This culture of simplicity and cost-consciousness became part of Wipro’s DNA.
- Company offices avoided luxury décor
- Expenses were tracked with discipline
- Leaders were expected to stay grounded, no matter their title
Customer First, Always
Premji believed that solving real problems for customers was the key to long-term growth. Wipro focused on building trust and delivering consistent quality, even if it meant slower growth in the short term.
- Strong emphasis on client satisfaction
- Long-term partnerships over short-term wins
- Continuous improvement through feedback and innovation
Long-Term Thinking
He famously avoided chasing quarterly results or stock market hype. Instead, he built Wipro with patience, discipline, and a 10-year mindset.
- Invested early in R&D, employee training, and education
- Diversified carefully into sectors only after deep evaluation
- Stayed private-minded even while being publicly listed
Conclusion
The story of Azim Premji is not just about building a global business empire — it’s about proving that success can be achieved through integrity, simplicity, and service to society. From taking charge of a small family business at 21, to transforming it into a billion-dollar IT leader, his journey shows what happens when vision meets values.
As the Wipro Founder, he set new benchmarks in ethical leadership, employee empowerment, and philanthropy. He didn’t just change the destiny of a company — he changed the way India thinks about business itself.
In a world often driven by profit and speed, Azim Premji reminds us that lasting success is built slowly, with purpose — and that true wealth lies in giving back.
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