Natarajan Chandrasekaran, popularly known as the 'Marathon Man,' was one of this year's Padma Bhushan awardees. Chandrasekaran has been serving as the Chairman of the Board at Tata Sons since 2017. But do you know that he was born in a farmer’s family!
From being born in a farmer’s family to becoming the head of the country's oldest and largest business house - today we will take you through the journey of Natarajan Chandrasekaran. His journey will surely be an inspiration to many farmers’ kids.
Who is Natarajan Chandrasekaran - The CEO of Tata Sons?
In 1963, N Chandrasekaran was born into an agricultural family in the Tamil Nadu village of Mohanur. Working on the family farm would have been the natural path for N Chandrasekaran, but his passion for computer programming led him to a different path.
Chandrasekaran studied in a government school in the state before pursuing his bachelor’s degree in Applied Sciences from the Coimbatore Institute of Technology.
Later he completed his Master of Computer Applications (MCA) from Tiruchirappalli's Regional Engineering College.
Natarajan Chandrasekaran joined TCS as an intern after completing his engineering degree, and he climbed the ranks over the next two decades. TCS has established itself as the largest private-sector employer and the most valued corporation in India.
A journey from TCS intern to Tata Sons chairman
The 58-year-old, who believed in the power of hard work, joined TCS in 1987. In September 2007, he was co-opted on the TCS board and became the company's Chief Operating Officer (COO).
With determination and grit, N Chandrasekaran came up through the ranks to become CEO in October 2009 he eventually succeeded S. Ramadorai as CEO and MD of TCS at the age of 46, becoming one of the Tata group's youngest CEOs.
Tata Sons under his leadership
TCS is now the second most valuable firm in the Indian market, trailing only Reliance Industries, which is valued at $205 billion as of September 15. TCS did, however, surpass the $200 billion threshold in September 2021.
His long career with the Tata Group earned him the name 'Chandra' at Bombay House, the Tata Group's headquarters in Mumbai.
In order to expand the company's business, he tried various unique management experiments, moving away from the traditional rut.
Under his guidance, the Tata Group reinvented itself in the aviation sector by purchasing the former national carrier Air India.
A small-town boy who chose programming over plowing the fields has been awarded the Padma Bhushan, joining the ranks of stalwarts such as Cyrus Poonawalla and Sundar Pichai.
Popularly known as 'Marathon Man'
Chandrasekaran is known as Marathon Man because of his passion for long-distance running and completion of marathons all over the world. He also served as a member of the RBI board and even the chairman of NASSCOM. He has been an active participant in India's bilateral forums with nations such as the United Kingdom, United States and Japan, among others.
Natarajan Chandrasekaran's accomplishments and awards
Natarajan Chandrasekaran has received several awards and honors from business communities all around the country and the world. In addition, N Chandrasekaran was awarded CNN-IBN Indian of the Year 2014 in the business category.
He was voted the 'Best CEO' in the 2015 Annual All-Asia Executive Team rankings by Institutional Investor. Chandrasekaran won the 'Business Leader of the Year award' at the ET Corporate Excellence Awards 2016 on December 17, 2016.
N Chandrasekaran's leadership and hard work may inspire a large number of young people who are able to withstand and tolerate any form of setback because they believe they can achieve their goals.
