Nandan Nilekani unplugged

Nandan Nilekani is an entrepreneur-turned-bureaucrat-turned politician.

Year and place of birth? 1955, Karnataka

Where did he study and what? Electrical engineering from IIT Mumbai

What’s his wife’s name?  Rohini Nilekani, met her at a quizzing event at IIT.

How many children do they have? Two children, Nihar and Janhavi.

How did he start his career?  In 1978 he joined Mumbai-based Patni computer systems.

How did he become an entrepreneur? In 1981, he started Infosys with six others; in 2002 he served as chief officer, and in 2007 as CEO of Infosys.

How did he enter the Government? In 2009 left Infosys and joined Unique Identification Authority of India as Chairperson, Board of member of Governor of India Council for Research on International Economic Relation (ICRER). He now also sits on several advisory board, including those of the World Economic Forum Foundation and The Bombay Heritage Fund.

When did he Join politics? He joined Indian National Congress in March 2014 and will be contesting for the Lok Sabha Elections from Bangalore South constituency.

Which are the awards he has won? India’s highest civilian honour, the Padma Bhushan, in 2006. In 2009, Time magazine placed Nilekani in the Time 100 list of ‘World’s Most Influential People’. Was also presented the ‘Legend in Leadership Award’ by Yale University in November 2009. He is the first Indian to receive the top honour.