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Ashank is a stalwart in the Indian IT industry, a visionary, a philanthropist and an entrepreneur whose contribution to the industry over last 40 years is widely acknowledged. In 2015, Ashank was felicitated by the Prime minister of India, Narendra Modi, for his contribution to NASSCOM (globally famous Indian IT Industry Association which he co-founded) and the IT Industry over the last 25 years. In 2021, he won the Dataquest Lifetime Achievement Award for his persistent contribution to the rise of the Indian software sector to become $ 250 Billion Industry.
Ashank was born in Goa in 1951 to a family of freedom fighters. Growing up amidst financial challenges after losing his father at a tender age, he pursued education relentlessly, earning Post Graduate qualifications from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay and Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, and institutions renowned globally for producing top-notch talent. Ashank’s journey is a testament of unwavering commitment to excellence.
Ashank's contributions to the Indian IT industry are monumental. He co-founded Mastek Ltd in 1982, a pioneering IT software company that started with humble beginnings but grew under his leadership to employ 6000+ professionals today. Mastek, under Ashank's guidance, became a prominent player in providing enterprise solutions across North America, Europe, UK, and Asia. Today, the company is serving 400 customers in more than forty countries and listed on stock exchanges in India with a revenue of USD 370 million.
Ashank's ability to use technology in solving real-world challenges is one-of-a-kind. Under Desai’s leadership, Mastek over last 42 years has always focused on building mission-critical custom software solutions and proprietary software products, with larger societal impact. As early as late eighties Mastek created ERP product, one of the firsts globally, challenging SAP and Oracle. Mastek accomplishments include implementing London’s congestion charge system, and contributing to the UK’s National Health Service, by creating data warehouse of the electronic medical records of 60 million UK citizens.
He played a crucial role in developing ERP for insurance companies thru Majesco, a separate de-merged entity out of Mastek in 2015. Majesco got listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)/ NASDAQ, making it the first Pure-Play Software Products company from India to achieve this. Majesco today is a private company and top -three provider in the US insurance market that offers SAAS based insurance technology solutions for property and casualty, life, annuity, and health insurance.
Contributed to Asian-Oceanian IT industry as Former President (only second Indian) of Asian-Oceanian Computing Industry Organization (ASOCIO), an IT industry association covering 21 Asia-Oceania countries, including Australia, Japan, etc.
His pledges of USD 4.5 Million to his Alma Mater have enabled expanding Centre for Policy Studies at IIT, Bombay and establishing a Leadership and OD Centre at IIM, Ahmedabad. Last 18 years, Ashank contributed to growing entrepreneurship movement in India as Founder Member & Vice-Chairman, IIT, Bombay SINE. This leading National Technical Incubator has incubated 1000+entreprenures.
Ashank's commitment to social causes is exemplary. Contributed for last 13 years his time & money for founding four non-Profit organizations. Thru founding of Avanshali Foundation built Leadership skills for 38 thousand poor girls. Also funded projects for improving quality of School education in 3 thousand Government Schools in India. Inspired 15,500+ Mastek employees to contribute to Societal causes thru founding Mastek Foundation. Co-founded PARFI, built Unique non-profit model for skill building, to train 25,000 High-School dropouts to get vocational & nursing skills and job assured. As Founding Board member for Avanti Fellows, trained nationally over 60,000 disadvantaged students for admission in reputed engineering and medical colleges. Contributed time and money to around ten NGOs in Skill Building, Education & Health care for poor.
In conclusion, Ashank's journey from humble beginnings to becoming a trailblazer in multiple domains is nothing short of extraordinary. Ashank's legacy serves as an inspiration for future generations, highlighting the transformative power of passion, perseverance, and purpose-driven leadership.
Nomination Title: Ashank Desai
