HCL Technologies has established itself as a leading global Indian company. In 2020 Shiv Nadar the founder of HCL stepped down as chairman passing the reins to his daughter Roshni Nadar Malhotra. When discussing India’s wealthiest individuals Mukesh Ambani is often the first name that comes to mind. However in Delhi Shiv Nadar takes the top spot as the richest person. From starting a business with less than Rs 2 lakhs he has built an empire worth over Rs 3 lakh crores. Remarkably Nadar’s philanthropic contributions surpass those of many billionaires including Ambani and Adani. Outperforming Ambani and Adani In Forbes’ 2024 Billionaires List which featured 200 Indians 25 individuals were first-time entrants including Deepinder Goyal the co-founder of Zomato with a net worth exceeding Rs 8300 crores. Shiv Nadar with a staggering fortune of $35.6 billion (approximately Rs 298898 crores) remains Delhi’s richest businessman. Not only does Nadar dominate the wealth rankings but his philanthropy is unparalleled. In terms of charitable donations he has consistently outpaced Ambani and Adani. The market capitalization of HCL Technologies has soared to Rs 5.15 lakh crores a testament to Nadar’s vision and leadership. Who Is Shiv Nadar? Shiv Nadar is one of India’s most renowned entrepreneurs and the founder of HCL Technologies. With hard work and foresight he transformed a small startup into one of the world’s largest IT companies. Nadar and his friends began HCL with an investment of Rs 1.87 lakhs in a garage. Initially focused on calculators and microprocessors HCL has grown into a global IT powerhouse operating in over 60 countries today. Shiv Nadar’s Journey Born in Tamil Nadu’s Thoothukudi district Nadar completed his early education at St. Joseph’s Boys Higher Secondary School. He graduated in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from PSG College of Technology Coimbatore. In 1967 he started his career with Cooper Engineering Limited part of the Walchand Group. Later he founded Microcomp a company focused on making tele-digital calculators. This venture eventually became Hindustan Computers Limited now known as HCL. For his remarkable contributions Shiv Nadar was honored with the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India in 2008. Shiv Nadar Donations Shiv Nadar and his family are globally recognized for their charitable initiatives. According to a report by Mint Nadar donated Rs 2042 crores (approximately Rs 5.6 crores daily) during the financial year 2022-2023. This exceptional generosity earned him the title of India’s Most Generous Individual in the Hurun India Philanthropy List for three consecutive years. In addition to donations Nadar has contributed to education by founding the SSN College of Engineering in Chennai and supporting numerous educational institutions through HCL Technologies. ‘Next Gen’ Follows Shiv Nadar’s Legacy After leading HCL Technologies for over four decades Shiv Nadar stepped down as chairman and entrusted the company’s leadership to his daughter Roshni Nadar Malhotra. Roshni is one of India’s wealthiest women and is committed to continuing the family’s philanthropic legacy. As HCL’s Chairperson she has taken the company to new heights with her vision and dedication. Like her father Roshni has a strong interest in social work furthering the Nadar family’s tradition of philanthropy. Through HCL Technologies and his philanthropic endeavors he has left an indelible mark on India’s business and social sectors.