Not Ratan Tata, but this Pakistani genius was behind the foundation of Rs 12.92 lakh crore TCS, called father of…

Kohli’s vision helped the Tata Group and also changed the global perception of India as a hub for IT.

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), an IT giant with market capitalization of Rs 12.92 lakh crore. It is often associated with the legendary businessman Ratan Tata, the late chairman emeritus of the Tata Group. However, the visionary behind TCS was not Ratan Tata but it was the man who was born in Pakistan and often referred to as ‘Father of Indian IT’.

Who Was FC Kohli?

He was born in 1924 in Peshawar (now in Pakistan) during pre-partition India, Faqir Chand Kohli, or FC Kohli, played a major role in the Indian IT sector. He co-founded and served as the first CEO of TCS, laid the foundation of one of the largest and most valuable IT companies in the world.

Kohli had taken degrees in English, applied mathematics, and physics from Punjab University, Lahore. He then pursued electrical engineering in Canada and later earned a master’s degree in system engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States.

Returning To India

In 1951, Kohli returned to India and joined Tata Electric Companies, making significant contributions to the organization. By 1968, under the leadership of JRD Tata, then chairman of the Tata Group, Kohli co-founded Tata Consultancy Services. Under his leadership, TCS became one of the biggest companies in the Indian software services industry.

Kohli was also involved in the business sector beyond TCS. He served as president and chairman of NASSCOM, India’s leading IT services advocacy body, between 1995 and 1996. Even after retiring in 1999, he mentored future leaders within the Tata Group, including N Chandrasekaran, the current chairman of Tata Sons.

For his contributions, Kohli was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian honor, in 2002. He was married to Swarn Kohli, a consumer rights activist and lawyer and they had three children.

Kohli passed away on November 26, 2020, at the age of 96, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire.