PERSONAL INFORMATION
Full Name: Nandan Mohan Nilekani
Name Earned: Aadhaar Man
Profession(s): Entrepreneur, Bureaucrat, Politician
Date of Birth: 2 June 1955 (Thursday)
Age (as of 2024): 69 Years
Birthplace: Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Zodiac sign: Gemini
Nationality: Indian
Hometown: Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Religion: Hinduism
Caste: Brahmin (Chitrapur Saraswat)
Age: 69 Years
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EDUCATION
School: Bishop Cotton Boys’ School, Bengaluru St. Josephs High School, Dharwad
College: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, Mumbai
Educational Qualifications: B.Tech in Electrical Engineering
PHYSICAL STATISTICS
Height (approx.): in centimeters- 175 cm in meters- 1.75 m in Feet Inches- 5’ 9”
Weight (approx.): in Kilograms- 80 kg in Pounds- 176 lbs
Eye Colour: Dark Brown
Hair Colour: Black
FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS
Family: Father – Late Mohan Ramrao Nilekani (Worked as a Manager in textile industry) Mother – Jahnavi Nilekani Brother – Vijay Nandan (Elder – Nuclear Energy Professional, Pilot) Sister – None
Marital Status: Married
Wife: Rohini Nilekani (Chairperson Arghyam Foundation, Philanthropist, Former Journalist)
Children: Son – Nihar Nilekani Daughter – Jahnavi Nilekani
MONEY FACTOR
Salary (base salary as in 2017): $1 million
Net Worth: $1.7 billion (USD) (Rs. 7700 crore)
OTHER INFORMATION
Political party: Indian National Congress (INC)
Political Journey: 2014: Stepped down as Chairman of UIDAI and joined the Indian National Congress (INC). He then contested Lok Sabha election from Bengaluru and lost to BJP’s Ananth Kumar by a huge margin of close to 2.3 lakh votes.
Address: # 856, 13th Main Road, Koramangala 3rd Block, Bengaluru
Hobbies: Reading, poetry, listening to music, philosophy
Food: Sukha prawn masala, Fish and chips
Politician: Nelson Mandela
Entrepreneurs: Steve Jobs, Mohammed Yunus
Destintions: South Africa, Goa, Kerala
INTERESTING BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Nandan Nilekani’s early life was marked by the transient nature of his father’s career, which involved frequent job relocations. This instability prompted him to make a decisive move at the tender age of 12, opting to live with his uncle in the Dharwad district of Karnataka. This choice was motivated by a desire to maintain continuity in his education, reflecting his commitment to learning from a young age. His pursuit of knowledge laid a strong foundation that would eventually propel him into the world of technology and innovation.
In 1978, Nilekani embarked on his professional journey when he was interviewed by the renowned N.R. Narayana Murthy for a position at Patni Computer Systems, a Mumbai-based company. His selection marked the beginning of a fruitful career in the tech industry. By 1981, Nilekani’s entrepreneurial spirit shone through as he co-founded Infosys, a company that would redefine the global perception of Indian IT services. Under his leadership, Infosys faced significant challenges, especially during the recession of 2001. However, Nilekani’s strategic vision transformed the company, and by 2006, Infosys not only recovered but reached unprecedented heights, solidifying its status as a powerhouse in the IT sector.
Nilekani’s influence extended beyond Infosys as he played a pivotal role in addressing Bangalore’s urban challenges. In 1999, he helped establish the Bangalore Agenda Task Force (BATF), collaborating with various sectors including public, private, and non-governmental organizations to tackle pressing issues related to infrastructure and governance. His leadership at Infosys continued from 2002 to 2007, during which he served as CEO before becoming the co-chairman of the board. His contributions earned him significant recognition; in 2006, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan, named ‘Businessman of the Year’ by Forbes Asia, and was listed by TIME magazine as one of the world’s 100 most influential people.
A man of many talents, Nilekani ventured into literature in 2008 with the publication of “Imagining India: The Idea of a Renewed Nation,” which garnered acclaim and was a finalist for the FT-Goldman Sachs Book Award in 2009. The following year, he stepped away from Infosys to accept a cabinet-ranking position as the chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), commonly known for the Aadhaar project, at the invitation of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. Throughout his career, Nilekani has also demonstrated a strong commitment to philanthropy, generously contributing to initiatives focused on water infrastructure, micro-credit, education, and healthcare.
In 2015, alongside his wife Rohini Nilekani and collaborator Shankar Maruwada, he co-founded EkStep, a not-for-profit initiative aimed at expanding educational opportunities for children across India. His expertise was recognized once again in December 2016 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi appointed him as the government’s digital advisor during the critical period following the demonetization announcement. Nilekani’s journey came full circle when he returned to the Infosys board in August 2017, taking on the role of non-executive, non-independent chairman. His family’s stake in Infosys, which stands at 2.29%, underscores their enduring connection to the company. Most recently, in June 2023, Nilekani announced a remarkable donation of Rs. 315 crores to IIT-Bombay, adding to earlier contributions that bring his total giving to the institution to an impressive Rs. 400 crores, further exemplifying his commitment to supporting education and innovation in India.
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Note: All biographical information compiled from publicly available sources.
