Over
the years, Premji diversified into sectors like computer hardware and
lighting, disregarding marketing laws that extolled the virtues of core
competence and frowned on brand extensions into unrelated segments.
Despite all the success, the media-shy Premji maintained a low profile,
letting his work do all the talking. Until early last year the media
broke the story that Azim Premji had become the second-richest man in
the world. In spite of his billions, however, he still travels economy
class and stays in budget hotels.
Humanitarian Space
In the year 2001, Premji established Azim Premji Foundation, a
not-for-profit organization with a vision of influencing the lives of
millions of children in India by facilitating the universalisation of
elementary education. This means every child is in school and learning.
The financial resources to this foundation have been personally
contributed by Premji. The current programs of the Azim Premji
Foundation cover over 5000 rural schools.
Mantra
Ordinary people are capable of extraordinary things, Have the courage
to think big.
