The SWAYAM Charitable Trust is a not-for-profit organization engaged in CSR activities and is a philanthropic initiative by
Dr. Ajai Chowdhry and his family.
‘giving back’ to the society
The Bhagawad Gita (17.20-22) describes daan or charity as a moral duty, but cautions against indiscriminate donations. The recipient must be worthy and the donation given at the proper time and place, and in the correct spirit.
If you are guided solely by the feel-good factor, then your altruism becomes a form of self-indulgence. Only if your donation is outcome-oriented are you a genuine giver. Only then can you make a difference and ‘give back’.
In keeping with that spirit, the foundation was named ‘Swayam’, which loosely translates as self-actuated.
Dr. Ajai Chowdhry
Dr. Ajai Chowdhry co-founded HCL in 1976 with the aspiration to revolutionize the tech industry. His remarkable contributions were acknowledged with prestigious awards, including the Padma Bhushan in 2011.
Ajai’s philanthropic efforts focus on education and women’s empowerment, among other causes. He is also a Board Member of the Population Foundation of India and a Trustee of the Save Life Foundation.
Since 2011, Ajai has been deeply involved in nurturing, mentoring, and investing in startups and has personally invested in more than 50 of them.
Regarded as the ‘father of Indian hardware’, Ajai has been a relentless advocate of self-sufficiency in electronics. In keeping with this vision, he co-founded EPIC Foundation in 2021, a not-for-profit, with the aim to make India a Product Nation in electronics (and unleashing an economic potential of US $20 billion).
Ajai’s memoir, “Just Aspire: Notes on Technology, Entrepreneurship, and the Future,” has been published by HarperCollins India.
GITA CHOWDHRY
Mrs. Gita Chowdhry has been at the forefront of numerous initiatives with her husband Dr. Ajai Chowdhry, aimed towards presenting better opportunities for the youth of our nation.
An individual who embodies the qualities of kindness, generosity, and selflessness. Her passion for education and her unwavering commitment to helping others has driven her to provide the required support to students.
She has taken an active role in formulating the Aspire scholarship program to help young minds and has been a key player in creating a more accessible and supportive environment for them.
KUNAL CHOWDHRY
Kunal is actively involved in philanthropic initiatives in education, providing scholarships and laptops to underprivileged students in India. He also mentors students in Singapore through a partnership with the Ministry of Education and is a strong advocate for women reentering the workforce.
Kunal manages the family office in Singapore and is also an advisor to top Indian startups with unicorn potential and is expanding into the hospitality and sports entrepreneurship sectors.
In his spare time, he enjoys movies, music, and tennis. Kunal is married with three children.
AKSHAY CHOWDHRY
Akshay Chowdhry, a talented music composer, and producer from Goa, whose melodies captivate audiences everywhere. With a degree in Communication from the University of Southern California, his music reflects a deep understanding of human connections.
Beyond music, Akshay passionately supports his local Goan community and tirelessly cares for animals in need. His dedication to community welfare and animal advocacy has positively impacted many lives.
Gita Chowdhry
Mrs. Gita Chowdhry has been at the forefront of numerous initiatives with her husband Dr. Ajai Chowdhry, aimed towards presenting better opportunities for the youth of our nation.
An individual who embodies the qualities of kindness, generosity, and selflessness. Her passion for education and her unwavering commitment to helping others has driven her to provide the required support to students.
She has taken an active role in formulating the Aspire scholarship program to help young minds and has been a key player in creating a more accessible and supportive environment for them.
KUNAL Chowdhry
Kunal is actively involved in philanthropic initiatives in education, providing scholarships and laptops to underprivileged students in India. He also mentors students in Singapore through a partnership with the Ministry of Education and is a strong advocate for women reentering the workforce.
Kunal manages the family office in Singapore and is also an advisor to top Indian startups with unicorn potential and is expanding into the hospitality and sports entrepreneurship sectors.
In his spare time, he enjoys movies, music, and tennis. Kunal is married with three children.
AKSHAY Chowdhry
Mrs. Gita Chowdhry has been at the forefront of numerous initiatives with her husband Dr. Ajai Chowdhry, aimed towards presenting better opportunities for the youth of our nation.
An individual who embodies the qualities of kindness, generosity, and selflessness. Her passion for education and her unwavering commitment to helping others has driven her to provide the required support to students.
She has taken an active role in formulating the Aspire scholarship program to help young minds and has been a key player in creating a more accessible and supportive environment for them.
For any queries please Contact:- Kanika Bhatia (Chief Advisor),
Swayam Charitable Trust
Email:- kanika@ajaichowdhry.in