In a world where power, fame, and stability are the most coveted and sought-after endeavors, it's rare to find someone who forgoes these comforts to challenge the unchallenged. From landing in the States with just two suitcases and a pair of white socks to becoming one of the most successful executives in the world, Nikesh Arora's story is one of passion, courage, and a fair dose of madness.
Nikesh Arora was born on 9th February 1968 in Ghaziabad in the state of Uttar Pradesh. His father was in the Indian Air Force, so he spent the majority of his childhood packing and moving all over India with his family. Being a defense kid, always on the move, he went to various Kendriya Vidyalayas across the country and completed his schooling at The Air Force School in Delhi.
Known to be the rockstar executive with a flamboyant personality today, Nikesh recalls being a 'nerd' who liked to spend his time studying when he was younger. Clearing NTSE, a national talent hunt examination, he was awarded a scholarship that was only offered to 200 people nationwide at that time. He describes that period to be the inflection point of his life as people around him started noticing the potential he possessed and pushed him to make the most of his caliber.
He joined the Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, in 1985 to pursue engineering and graduated with a Bachelor of Technology degree from the Department of Electrical Engineering in 1989. After his graduation, he started working at Wipro, selling computers to government officials but shortly quit his job to pursue higher education. In 1990, at the tender age of 21, he left for Boston with two bags full of dreams, $3,000 borrowed from his father's life savings, and the belief of his mother, who was willing to let her son cross the seas. He went on to get an MBA from Northeastern University in 1992 and joined Fidelity Investments as an analyst. He then continued his studies alongside his job, acquiring a Master's degree in Finance from Boston College. Despite attending the classes at night, he topped his class and earned his CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) designation.
Following a short stint at Putnam Investments, he joined Deutsche Telekom and established T-Motion PLC in 2000, a company that provided services to the newly launched 3G products of Deutsche Telekom. These two companies merged after two years, and Nikesh stayed as a Board Member.
In 2004, Google, a small company at the time, was looking for someone to manage its European business. Bitten by the entrepreneurial bug, Nikesh was considering starting another venture, but he chose to join Google instead, which proved to be a life-changing decision. He held multiple senior operating leadership roles at Google, serving as Vice President, Europe Operations from 2004 to 2007, President Europe, Middle East, and Africa from 2007 to 2009, and President, Global Sales Operations and Business Development from 2009 to 2010. His efficiency and dedication played a crucial role in spreading the company's influence around Europe and expanding its revenues. Under his leadership, the success of Google skyrocketed in the ensuing years, and he was eventually promoted to Senior Vice President and Chief Business Officer in 2011. He left Google in 2014 to join Japan's SoftBank Corp as the President and Chief Operating Officer.
Nikesh is currently the CEO and Chairman of Palo Alto Networks. He has achieved several dignified positions throughout his career and has proved himself to be a remarkable leader time and again. Whether at Google, SoftBank, or Palo Alto Networks, he has consistently been one of the highest-paid top executives in the world, but behind his dazzling quintessential life, he's had his share of struggles and setbacks. Having graduated from business school without a job and eagerly looking to repay his father, Nikesh remembers writing 450 letters to different organizations asking for work. To this day, he has preserved the 449 letters which rejected him, and he uses them as reminders of his hardships and the learnings that followed.
Over the years, he has packed his suitcases countless times in life, and with every move, Nikesh has managed to fill his bags with improved skills, new experiences, and immense success. A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for - one of his favorite quotes that resonates with him and has been his guiding principle every time he stepped out of his comfort zone. "Remember, it's okay to be bored, but it's not okay to be boring," Nikesh Arora's journey inspires millions across the globe to get out of their harbor, and take risks.
Being a globetrotter, Nikesh has seen the far ends of the world, but the frolics of the streets of Banaras still carry a special meaning in his life as he remembers those four years spent at the city of his beginnings. With the vision to give back to his Alma Mater and increase access to quality education, Mr. Nikesh Arora recently made a generous donation of US $2 million to establish the IIT(BHU) Foundation Access Fund, enabling scholarships for underserved students to attend the premier Institute and prepare for technology careers. He will forgo his annual salary to contribute $1 million, with cybersecurity leader Palo Alto Networks adding another million.
Reflecting upon the opportunities and the potential the Institute holds, Nikesh commented, "IIT (BHU) provides a springboard for careers in technology, and it's an honor to help deserving students gain access to these educational opportunities. As alumni, we know first-hand of the school's remarkable programs, facilities, and faculty. Together with Palo Alto Networks, I'm proud to support IIT (BHU) as it broadens access to education and prepares future leaders in critical areas of technology - I look forward to many more of us joining together in support."
This article has been written by Aastha Rani (MEC ‘24), Content Team, SAIC, IIT (BHU), Varanasi