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Ashok Soota
The Visionary Entrepreneur Shaping India's IT Landscape it
Ashok Soota, the Executive Chairman of Happiest Minds Technologies Limited, stands as a pioneering figure in the Indian IT industry. With over 30 years of experience and a legacy of successful ventures, he has significantly contributed to the sector's growth and innovation. Let's delve into the life and achievements of this remarkable entrepreneur.
Born on November 12, 1942, in what is now the North West Frontier of Pakistan (NWFP), Ashok Soota's early years were marked by historical events like partition. His father was a doctor in the British Indian Army. After the partition, they briefly lived in Delhi and later settled in Lucknow.
Despite the challenges of his upbringing, Ashok Soota pursued education with determination. He completed his Senior Cambridge in Delhi in 1958, followed by intermediate science from La Martinere, Lucknow.
He earned a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Roorkee (now IIT Roorkee) in 1964.
Later, in 1973, he obtained his Masters in Business Management from the Asian Institute of Management, Manila, Philippines. Notably, he co-authored the book "Entrepreneurship Simplified."
Ashok Soota's professional journey began in 1965 when he joined the Shriram Group of Industries in India. However, his career would take a monumental turn in the IT industry.
From 1984 to 1999, he served as the President of Wipro Infotech, overseeing its growth from a $2 million business in 1984 to a $500 million entity in 1999.
In 1999, he co-founded Mindtree, an Indian multinational IT outsourcing company headquartered in Bangalore, India, and New Jersey. With approximately 20,212 employees and current revenues of $1 billion, Mindtree operates globally, serving clients across America, Europe, and Asia.
In 2011, Ashok Soota embarked on yet another entrepreneurial journey by co-founding Happiest Minds Technologies Limited. This IT externalising company, headquartered in Bangalore, India, specialises in digital transformation, infrastructure, security, and product engineering services.
It boasts a global presence in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Singapore, and Australia.
Happiest Minds Technologies is known for its three Centers of Excellence: Internet of Things, Analytics/Artificial Intelligence, and Digital Process Automation. Its services span diverse industry sectors, including Edutech, Hi-tech, Retail, Banking, Financial Services, Manufacturing, and more.
Ashok Soota's ability to make a lasting impact extends beyond the corporate world. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he demonstrated his entrepreneurial acumen by successfully launching the IPO of Happiest Minds Technologies Ltd., which was oversubscribed 151 times.
This achievement highlighted the premium at which the Indian market is valued.
His commitment to social causes is evident through his involvement with organisations like the Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled and Ashirvadam, an NGO focusing on environmental initiatives and uplifting the underprivileged. Ashok Soota's philanthropic efforts earned him a place on Forbes' Asia Top 15 list of philanthropists in 2022.
Ashok Soota's legacy is defined by his ability to lead companies to successful IPOs and his dedication to philanthropic causes.
As the Chairman of Happiest Minds Technologies Limited, he continues to shape India's IT landscape, demonstrating that age knows no boundaries when it comes to innovation and impact.
His contributions to the IT industry and society at large serve as an inspiration for future generations of entrepreneurs.
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