Obituary

Founder and first CEO of Tata Consultancy Services FC Kohli passes away; tributes pour in

Updated : November 26, 2020 07:56 PM IST

Faqir Chand Kohli, better known as the Father of the Indian IT industry, passed away on November 26. He was 96 years old. FC Kohli was the founder and first CEO of Tata Consultancy Services. He has also worked as the deputy general manager of Tata Power Company and was the chairman of the Board of Governors of College of Engineering, Pune.

Industry veteran FC Kohli, first CEO of @TCS passes away at 96 #FaquirChandKohli pic.twitter.com/wRrdyWmv2k
— CNBC-TV18 (@CNBCTV18Live) November 26, 2020

In a recent interview, Kohli had said that he remained active in the field of technology until 94 years of age. "Even after I retired I was quite active, until I turned 94. After that my needs started to change and became very different in that if there was a conference I shared what I thought about technology. The main thing is that technology is never static, it is always moving forward.

"I worked on an adult literacy program in or two languages to teach adults who have never been educated and that was taken as a program in other countries such as Africa and it was reported that it did help build literacy. That's perhaps the biggest contribution to my own country and government in helping increase literacy. It allows people to read starting small and basically for those who have never ever read and no options and designed especially for them."

Kohli pioneered India's 'Technology Revolution' and helped the country build the $100 billion IT Industry.

Rich tributes paid to FC Kohli

In a statement, TCS said, "Tata Consultancy Services mourns the passing of Padma Bhushan Shri FC Kohli, its first CEO, and the Father of the Indian IT Industry. Mr Kohli joined the company in 1969 at the behest of JRD Tata. He pivoted first into management consultancy, and then over the next two decades, into software development, helping the organization navigate multiple technology waves over two and a half decades by continually investing in people and staying relevant to customers. He stepped down as CEO in 1996 and continued to play an active role in promoting technology to solve the country’s social problems."

Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran paid tributes saying: "I am deeply saddened by the news that Mr. FC Kohli passed away this afternoon. He was a true legend, who laid the very foundations for India’s spectacular IT revolution and set the stage for the dynamic modern economy we enjoy today. Mr. Kohli led innovations in areas far-ranging from adult literacy, water purification, software engineering, software automation, complex-systems and cybernetics. I have had the honor and privilege of working with and learning from Mr. Kohli from the day he hired me as a trainee in TCS. Despite his momentous achievements, his simplicity and thoughtfulness is a lesson for us all. His enduring optimism and his ability to make ambitious bets leaves a legacy—one that has advanced a nation. I will miss him dearly."

S Ramadorai, former CEO and Vice Chairman of TCS: “Faqir Chand Kohli was a brilliant technocrat and a business leader with varied interests. He was passionate about the development of our nation and its youth. He was also my mentor, guide and a very close family friend. His demise is a personal loss to our family. The Nation has lost a legend today.”

Condoling Kohli's death, NASSCOM said, "Mr Kohli was the visionary leader who foresaw the opportunity of India in technology services and built TCS many decades back when almost nothing existed in the tech sector in India. His leadership and passion over the decades played a key role in helping establish India as a trusted and quality partner for global corporations, evangelise the importance of technology adoption for India, push for greater research in academic institutions, bring awareness on the importance of local language and hardware industry in India.

"As Chairman of NASSCOM in 1994-95, Mr Kohli led the industry and NASSCOM to build global partnerships in key markets, showcase the opportunity for IT services from India and build a culture of collaboration in the industry members. His engagement with NASSCOM continued through the years providing guidance and support on key industry issues and opportunities. We salute his contribution to the industry and will continue to build on his vision for the industry."

Paying tributes to the legend, Founder Chairman of Wipro Ltd Azim Premji said, "Mr. Kohli was the true pioneer of Indian IT. We have all followed in his footsteps. His contribution to the IT industry and thus to India is immeasurable."

Narayana Murthy recalled, "Mr. F C Kohli laid the foundation for a strong TCS. I had the privilege of working with him on the NASSCOM Executive Council during the early nineties. I pray that his soul rests in peace."

Ashok Soota, CEO of Happiest Minds said, "FC Kohli created a formidable, durable institution and helped to forge the Indian IT industry. His contribution goes beyond IT as he helped to strengthen the TATA group with the solid cash flows TCS generated."

Sharing similar views, KK Natrajan, cofounder at Mindtree said, "The industry has lost a doyen who was the real architect of the Indian IT industry. May his soul rest in peace."

Founder and first CEO of Tata Consultancy Services FC Kohli passes away; tributes pour in

You May Also Like

Closing Bell: Market settles over 1% higher, Nifty ends at 12,987; JSW Steel, Tata Steel top gainers

Doorstep survey throws up 1,178 COVID-19 cases in Delhi's containment zones, densely populated area

Plum raises $4.1 mn in funding from Surge, Tanglin Venture Partners, others

Trending on CNBC-TV18

recommended for you