Ajai Chowdhry
Ajai Chowdhry (born 29 August 1950) is one of the six founder members of HCL (Hindustan Computers Limited). He is currently the Chairman-Board of Governors at National Ins*ute of Foundry and Forge Technology (NIFFT), Ranchi,International Ins*ute of Information Technology, Naya Raipur.
Contents
- 1 Early life and education
- 2 Career
- 3 Awards and accolades
- 4 References
Early life and education
Ajai's parents migrated to India, from Pakistan, during the Par*ion of India, along with six children. They came to a refugee camp in Delhi. Later, Ajai's father picked up a job in Mount Abu, to get the accession of the princely states. Ajai was born in Mount Abu, on 29 August 1950. Ajai is the youngest of the seven siblings. In 1955, his father joined Indian Administrative Service.
Ajai Chowdhry did his schooling from Christ Church School, Jabalpur. He p*ed out of school in 1966. Thereafter, he graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering (Electronics and Telecom) degree, from Jabalpur Engineering College, in 1971. He also did an Executive Program from the University of Michigan, in 1994.
Career
Beginning his career in 1972, Ajai Chowdhry worked with DCM Data Products. In 1975, he quit his job to start his own company named "Microcomp".
Chowdhry worked as the Chairman of IIIT Naya Raipur in 2019.
In August 2009, the Department of Information Technology, Ministry of Communications & IT and the Government of Indiacons*uted the IT Task Force, under the leadership of Ajai Chowdhry.
Ajai Chowdhry was a member of National Manufacturing Compe*iveness Council (NMCC), which is an apex body providing advisory inputs for shaping government policy.
Ajai Chowdhry was the Chairman of CII National Committee on Technology.
Ajai Chowdhry was a panelist on the USC Forum on Globalization and Innovation.
In 2010, Ajai Chowdhry co-chaired the ‘World Economic Forum on Africa in Tanzania.
Awards and accolades
- In 2011, Government of India awarded Ajai Chowdhry with Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award, recognising his consistent contribution to the Indian IT industry.
- In 2014, Ajai Chowdhry was honoured with the Cybermedia Business ICT Award 2013 for Lifetime Achievement in ICT by Narendra Modi.
- In 2014, Ajai Chowdhry was awarded Honoris Causa (D. Sc.) by the Indian Ins*ute of Information Technology, Design & Manufacturing, Jabalpur in recognition of the significant contribution he has made to the Indian IT industry and thought leadership in the field.
- In 2010, Ajai Chowdhry was conferred the Honoris Causa, Doctorate of Science, by IIT Roorkee.
- In 2009, Ajai Chowdhry was ranked third in the "Power List of 75 Most Powerful Brand Builders of India".
- In 2009, Ajai Chowdhry was adjudged among "India Inc’s Most Powerful CEOs" by The Economic Times.
- The Foundation of Indian Industry and Economists has presented Ajai Chowdhry the "Best IT Man of the Year" award in 2007.