The man behind NIIT's success

Considered a visionary, Rajendra S Pawar was years ahead of his time in realising the importance of IT (information technology) education in India.

He left a comfortable job at HCL Technologies to start NIIT in 1981. In the process he revolutionised the computer education market in India, thereby creating a completely new industry segment.

All along, Pawar has played the leadership role in nurturing NIIT and building a leading global talent development corporation.

NIIT's franchise model enabled it to unleash a wave of entrepreneurship across the globe, providing young people with the opportunity to create viable businesses centred on IT learning.

"A second opinion can sometimes make all the difference when it comes to the outcome of a treatment. Many a time, an incorrect diagnosis can result in endless clinical visits, medical expenses and unnecessary procedures," he said.

MediAngels, which was set up in January 2011, has a network of 300 specialist doctors from 85 super specialties across 22 countries. It follows a flat-fee structure with consultation fee starting at Rs 250.

He is on the Board of IIT Delhi, IIM Bangalore, Indian School of Business, Scindia School and Indira Gandhi National Open University.

A firm believer in the need for industry participation to shape the education sector, he went on to establish the NIIT University, a not-for-profit institution at Neemrana in 2009.

Pawar is a member of the Prime Minister's National Council and the Planning Commission's Task Force on Skill Development. He is also helping the Government of South Africa to develop a growth strategy for its ICT industry.

He has been a founder member of Nasscom (National Association of Software and Services Companies) and will lead the industry body as the chairman for 2011-12.

Born in Jammu, Pawar holds a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from IIT-Delhi and likes listening to music during leisure time.

For his contribution to IT and the education sector he was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2011.