Faqir Chand Kohli, known as the “Father of the Indian IT Industry,” played a crucial role in shaping India’s IT sector. Born in 1924 in Peshawar, Pakistan, Kohli completed his education in India and later moved to Canada, where he graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He then earned his Master’s degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) while working at Canadian General Electric.
In 1969, J.R.D. Tata, the then chairman of Tata Sons, recognized Kohli’s potential and asked him to lead Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), an IT services company launched in 1968. Under Kohli’s leadership, TCS became a global business, providing IT solutions to clients worldwide, including banking and utilities. He partnered with global giants like American Express and successfully navigated the Y2K challenge in the 1990s. By 2003, TCS had crossed $1 billion in annual revenue, marking a new era for Indian IT.
Kohli’s collaboration with Ratan Tata, who took over as the chairman of the Tata Group in 1991, was instrumental in expanding the group’s reach across 100 countries, with a market capitalization of $403 billion. TCS, under Kohli’s guidance, became a 12,94,000 crore company, making it a pillar of India’s IT sector. Kohli’s contributions to the Indian IT industry went beyond building a company; he transformed the sector as a whole.
Kohli’s work had a lasting impact on the Indian economy, and his legacy continues to be felt today. He passed away in 2020, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in the Indian IT industry. His story is a testament to the power of vision, leadership, and innovation in shaping the course of a nation’s economic development. As the Indian IT sector continues to grow and evolve, Faqir Chand Kohli’s contributions will always be remembered as a pivotal moment in its history.
Ratan Tata, the former chairman of the Tata Group, played a significant role in Kohli’s success, and their partnership helped establish the Tata Group as a global player. Today, the Tata Group is a multinational conglomerate with a diverse portfolio of businesses, and TCS remains one of its crown jewels. Kohli’s story serves as an inspiration to entrepreneurs and business leaders, demonstrating the importance of strategic vision, collaboration, and innovative thinking in building successful companies and transforming industries.