The Father of Hardware launches ‘JUST ASPIRE’ in the City of Pearls

Hyderabad, Telangana (India); 06th April 2023: HarperCollins India launched “JUST ASPIRE – Notes on Technology, Entrepreneurship, and The Future” by Ajai Chowdhry at the Tech Mahindra Learning World in Hi-Tech City today.
Hosted by Tech Mahindra, Dr. Ajai Chowdhry, recipient of the coveted Padma Bhushan and CP Gurnani, MD & CEO engaged in a fireside chat moderated by Harshvendra Soin, Global CPO and Head Marketing, Tech Mahindra, in the presence of more than 500 young talent from the Hyderabad-based technology major. The book elicits the remarkable journey of Dr. Chowdhry, one of the Founders of HCL (one of India’s earliest start-ups in 1975) who is recognized and known as the ‘Father of Hardware’ today. This amazing compilation covers ‘everything technology’ and elicits the remarkable journey of Dr. Ajai Chowdhry. It will act as a booster dose for all the aspiring young professionals in this sector. Speaking at the launch, CP Gurnani, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Tech Mahindra, said, “Ajai has been at the forefront of innovation, revolution and transformation in the Indian technology ecosystem. This book is a must read for all budding entrepreneurs, managers, and any professional who is aspiring to reach greater heights.” More than four decades ago, Dr. Ajai Chowdhry began an exciting journey with a dream to give India its very own microcomputer. He and his team of pioneers in digital electronics scripted three major milestones of the IT industry: the PC revolution, mobile telephony, and systems integration. Today, Chowdhry is regarded as the ‘father of Indian hardware’ and a relentless advocate of self-sufficiency in electronics. He has served and continues to serve on several government committees working towards making India the electronics hub of the world. In recognition of his contributions, he was conferred India’s third-highest civilian award, the Padma Bhushan, by the President of India in 2011.

Dr. Ajai Chowdhry said, “It is always a pleasure to be amongst bright young minds. I am happy and thankful to Tech Mahindra and Mr Gurnani to have given me this opportunity to engage with the team. Having accomplished a multitude of things over a lifetime, I believe it is time to give back to the society and the young minds of today. The book is all about my life’s learnings and how I was able to overcome some of the tallest challenges that were thrown my way. I hope today’s youth is able to take a leaf out of my experiences and are able to carve a winning path in their professional journey.”

In recent years, Dr. Chowdhry has been nurturing and investing in startups, personally investing in more than 50 startups and serving on the board of the Indian Angel Network, the largest of its kind in India. He is also on the Investment Committee of IAN Fund, Electronic Development Fund, and Canbank Venture Capital Fund.
While recounting his early life experiences, Chowdhry states in his book, “Being born and brought up in a small town like Jabalpur, I would not have dreamt of pursuing a career and finding myself at the vanguard of pathbreaking revolutions that would transform India.”
Dr. Chowdhry mentions about his learnings and experiences and how he was able to convert them into achievements that can inspire the young industry professionals in the sector. This includes:
• creating a behemoth
• pioneering three revolutions that transformed India: the PC revolution, mobile telephony and systems integration
• played an instrumental role in building the electronics industry in India and is determined to make India a Product Nation in electronics
• strongly advocates developing a worldview with wide-ranging knowledge – of complementing one’s chosen vocation with a broad perspective.
The book presents a fascinating account of how India’s software industry was born out of hardware. Readers will gain invaluable insights on entrepreneurship, leadership, salesmanship, building institutions and nations, and be inspired to dream big and make a difference. Lessons on the importance of having a range from someone who is an entrepreneur, sportsperson, salesperson, engineer, educationist, jazz aficionado, singer, and investor, among others.
Chowdhry continues to contribute to India’s growth story as a member of the Advisory Board of India Semiconductor Mission (MEITY), as an Esteemed Member of the Consultation Group on Science & Technology and Innovation Sector (NITI Aayog), and as a Member of the Committee on the Semiconductor Sector (NITI Aayog).