Maruti Bijoor’s life story demonstrates the power of education, innovation and family values in shaping not just his own life, but of every person he worked with, mentored and inspired. Throughout his life, he held a firm belief in self determination, honesty, authenticity and hard work. He was a pioneer in the IT industry and left a legacy of innovation and excellence in every step of his professional and personal life.

Early Life and Education

Maruti was the youngest son of Ramrao Bijoor and Anusuya Bijoor, who had migrated from Karwar to Mumbai in search of better prospects. His elder siblings were three sisters - Taramati, Sunanda and Vimala. After their birth, his mother had several miscarriages before he was born. They were thankful that their prayers were answered, and he became the adored young boy throughout the extended family.

Maruti's early life took an unexpected turn when his father, Ramrao joined India's freedom struggle, leaving the family in the care of relatives. His uncle - Bhavanishankar Nadkarni, fondly referred to as Chedmam, a forest officer and his wife Ramabai Nadkarni (Chedmami) adopted young Maruti. Under their nurturing care, Maruti spent his childhood moving across various beautiful forest locations in Maharashtra including Dahanu, Palghar and finally in Shahapur where he finished his matriculation in 1954. He then settled in Mumbai after getting admission in Victoria Jubilee Technical Institute (VJTI), from where he studied Electrical Engineering and graduated with distinction in 1959.

Joining IBM: The Dawn of a New Era

In 1960, as India was emerging from colonial rule and grappling with its technological future, IBM World Trade Corporation (IBM WTC) - the global arm of the technological giant, was expanding its presence in the country. IBM had embarked on an ambitious recruitment drive, during which Maruti was recruited directly out of VJTI to join IBM's "00 Batch" - the first large group of Customer Engineers (CEs) in India.

Maruti and his colleagues where whisked away for an intensive six-month training program in Coonoor, a picturesque hill station in the Nilgiri mountains. His batch mate Jayanta Maitra recalls of this program, "We stayed in the Ritz Hotel in Coonoor during training. Late Madhav Purandare was Maruti's Roommate. Arvind Kelkar, another Batchmate from Bombay used to call Maruti affectionately by 'Martya'. We had a lot of fun during our stay!"

The curriculum for the training covered more than just technical education; they were inculcated into the IBM way of life, represented by their universally displayed "THINK" slogan. The professionalism with which he conducted his entire life was rooted in the values he learned in IBM.

Family Life: A Partnership of Love and Respect

On May 6, 1962, shortly after establishing himself at IBM, Maruti married Shobhana Kalbag, a young Home Science graduate from the well established Kalbag family from Vile Parle. This union marked the beginning of a lifelong partnership characterized by love, mutual respect, and shared passions. Together, they built a warm home, welcoming their son Ashutosh in 1963 and daughter Amita in 1966.

As Maruti's career at IBM flourished, he fully supported Shobhana's passion for education. She went on to become a teacher and the first principal of the renowned Parle Tilak Vidyalaya’s English Medium school, with Maruti cheering her on every step of the way. Their home became a hub of intellectual curiosity, creativity, and joy. Shobhana's passion for art and education formed a great complement to Maruti’s engineering mind. The Bijoor household was always filled with love, laughter, and celebration.

Innovation Under Pressure: Project Typhoon

Throughout the 1960s Maruti played a crucial role in maintaining the punch card based accounting machines, and working closely with customers in top research institutions, universities, and government-owned companies. His contribution to this crucial era of computerization along with his colleagues is an important milestone in the IT journey of India.

As the 1970s dawned, there was mounting pressure to upgrade the legacy 407 accounting machines. The old vacuum tubes technology that powered these machines had to be replaced with the new generation of transistor based (TTL) technology. The modernization of these legacy machines was fraught with risks. Engineers in India had never worked with these new technologies, and several customers had huge investments in custom configured "control panels" of the old technology - equivalent of today's "programs". The modernization had to be done in such a way, that the old control panels would continue to work with the new TTL based technology.

Bijoor and his colleague Ashok Sharma lead a team of engineers in the highly strategic Project Typhoon, that worked day and night to overcome these challenges. Every problem was treated as an opportunity to find innovative solutions. Maruti always led with reason and rationality rather than discipline and authoritativeness. He frequently visited the team during night shifts, where he would take time to chat with each team member individually, encouraging them to achieve excellence at every step. 

He was a mentor to many of the young engineers who were pushed into such a challenging project so early in their careers. Ramesh Karnani, who worked under Bijoor as the most junior member of the Project Typhoon team, recalls: "Bijoor fostered an environment where everyone felt valued and empowered. He encouraged us to think outside the box and to collaborate, building upon each other's ideas. Those two years with Bijoor were transformative. I transitioned from a student to a confident professional, thanks in large part to his mentorship."

His exceptional abilities and leadership during this period were recognized with an Outstanding Achievement Award from IBM in 1975. The award of 20,000 rupees was a huge amount as compared to their salary. But Maruti decided to give this away to charity, to demonstrate his principles of separating excellence from monetary benefit. He did not realize that he would have to pay income tax on this amount, which he bore out of his relatively meager salary!

Post-IBM: Entrepreneurship and Innovation

When IBM departed from India in 1978, it marked the end of an era but opened new doors for the talented pool of engineers the company had nurtured. Maruti joined DCM Data Products along with his colleague Ashok Sharma. At DCM, Maruti played a key role in developing indigenous computer systems to fill the void left by IBM. His contributions extended beyond hardware, as he was instrumental in developing and supporting software systems like BASIC, COBOL, and multi-key ISAM (index sequential access method) for these new machines.

Bijoor's innovative spirit eventually led him to establish his own consulting firm. He applied his technical expertise and leadership skills to a diverse range of cutting-edge projects. He became a pioneer in the field of embedded control systems, designing innovative solutions across various industries, in industrial control and data capture systems, computerized welding machines, and advanced typesetting and printing equipment.

Among his several engagements, some of them became his personal favorites. He collaborated with and shared a passionate partnership with VXL Instruments, a company that was founded by Arvind Kasargod (Shobhana’s cousin) and a group of talented engineers to create the first railway booking network for the Indian Railways. 

Another close partner was Mechelonic, a pioneer in computer controlled welding technology in the country. He helped build the computerized brains of several of their products and implementations in clients' manufacturing plants through multiple upgraded versions.

After retiring to Pune, Maruti's passion for technology and innovation remained undiminished. He continued to work on an advisory basis for various technology firms, including serving as a director in Accion Technologies. A significant post-retirement role was as General Manager of the Pune development center for Sycamore Solutions, a California-based business.

At Sycamore, Maruti's impact was transformative. In an environment where the average employee age was around 25, his calm leadership and wealth of experience proved invaluable. As the founder of Sycamore Deepak Sodhi noted, "Mr. Bijoor's leadership was a masterclass in combining experience with youthful energy, proving that age is truly just a number when it comes to passion and dedication."

A Life of Principle and Joy

Maruti's commitment to excellence in his professional life was matched by his dedication to his family. He and Shobhana shared a love for adventure, often taking the family on picnics and bird-watching expeditions. Nobody can forget the incident when Maruti drove all the kids to Aarey Milk Colony for a picnic. It was on the return journey when the kids noticed a lone tire racing ahead of them, going faster than the rickety old Morris Minor that Maruti was driving them in. It was only after a few minutes that they realized it was the tire of the very car that they were driving in!

In his characteristic style of radical and innovative ideas, he made the bold decision to sell his four-wheeler and purchase a rickshaw when Mumbai's traffic congestion became overwhelming. This bright red rickshaw became a symbol of his approach to life - keep it simple and live life to the full! It delighted his grandchildren and brought smiles to the faces of children at Shobhana's school, where he would often drive her in this unique vehicle.

His passion for Indian Classical Music was a constant companion. He was a life member of the Santacruz Classical Music Club and he loved to see plays - especially the musical “Natyasangeet”. He must have seen “Katyar Kaljat Ghusli” multiple times with the entire family in tow. The music collection at home consisted of a wide range of Vinyl Records of musical masters from Amir Khan to Kishori Amonkar.

Even though Maruti was not a very social person, he enjoyed playing badminton, swimming and playing bridge with his friends. Time spent at the badminton courts and swimming pools with the kids was a special time that his children cherished. His work colleagues, especially Ramesh Karnani during IBM days, and later his colleagues at VXL Instruments were special bridge partners, with whom they often discussed strategies and analyzed their games with passion, forgetting the age and seniority gaps.

He and Shobhana guided and supported the children in the family in their professional and personal struggles. They encouraged both their children to become entrepreneurs, when their peers still believed in the stable and standard jobs of engineers, doctors and accountants. Their home was a den for friends where Maruti was always treated as a peer despite the age difference. As grandchildren came along, Maruti took great joy in spending time with them, often providing guidance and mentorship when they needed it most.

Legacy and Final Days

Maruti Bijoor's legacy lives on not just in his contributions to India's technological progress, but in the loving family he nurtured and the example he set of a life rich in both professional achievement and personal fulfillment. The values he lived by - excellence, innovation, respect for others, and a never-ending curiosity about the world - continue to inspire those who knew him.

Maruti Bijoor passed away peacefully on July 28, 2024, without any extended illness or pain - a final grace note in a life well-lived. He is remembered not just as an innovator and mentor in India's computer revolution, but as a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who showed that a truly successful life is one that balances professional achievement with personal joy and family love.

In the story of India's journey to becoming a global IT powerhouse, Maruti Bijoor's chapter is one of bridging worlds - between the old and the new, between multinational corporations and indigenous innovation, and most importantly, between the realms of technological progress and human values. His life serves as an inspiration, reminding us that the most profound impact we can have is not just in our professional achievements, but in the lives we touch and the love we share along the way.

Appendix: Tributes for Maruti Bijoor

The following tributes from colleagues and associates provide a personal glimpse into Maruti Bijoor's character, leadership style, and lasting impact on those who worked with him throughout his career. These tributes paint a picture of Maruti Bijoor as a leader who combined technical expertise with genuine care for his team members, a mentor who fostered growth and collaboration, and a friend who built lasting relationships both in and out of the workplace. His impact clearly extended far beyond his professional achievements, touching the lives of those who had the privilege of working with him throughout his long and distinguished career.

Ashok Sharma, IBM Colleague and Project Typhoon Team Member

"Bijoor was a true leader who constantly pushed us to excel. He was never quite satisfied with our work, which motivated us to continuously improve. His ability to laugh at himself was one of his most endearing qualities. I remember him sharing a humorous story about buying 'unbreakable' glasses, only to have them break when he demonstrated their durability to his wife. His wife jokingly suggested he leave the Typhoon project before it drove him completely mad!

Bijoor's generosity was as remarkable as his leadership. When we both received the Outstanding Contribution Award for Project Typhoon, each of us got 20,000 Rupees - a significant sum at the time. Bijoor immediately donated his entire award to charity, not realizing that he would still owe 9,000 Rupees in taxes. Effectively, the award cost him 29,000 Rupees, more than half a year's salary back then. This act of generosity, even at personal cost, was typical of Bijoor's character.

Working with Bijoor was a joy. He was great company and a leader who inspired us all to be our best selves. His impact on the project and on our personal growth was immeasurable."

Ramesh Karnani, IBM Colleague (Project Typhoon Team Member)

"I am deeply saddened to learn of Maruti Bijoor's passing. He was an exceptional leader, mentor and friend who has left an indelible mark on me.

I had the privilege of working under Bijoor's guidance at my very first job after graduating from IIT Bombay in 1974. As the most junior member of the Project Typhoon team at IBM India, I was struck by his creativity, caring leadership, and profound humility. His 1975 Outstanding Achievement Award from IBM was a testament to his exceptional abilities. Being part of his team was an absolute thrill!

Bijoor fostered an environment where everyone felt valued and empowered. He encouraged us to think outside the box and to collaborate, building upon each other's ideas. Even with the project's demanding 24/7 schedule, Bijoor would often visit us during the night shift, taking the time to chat with each of us individually. His genuine concern for our well-being was deeply touching.

Our relationship extended beyond the workplace when we became bridge partners. Learning of his passion for the game, Bijoor and I began playing competitively in tournaments. This led to an unexpected friendship outside of work. In a testament to his humility and good nature, Bijoor would tolerate my critiques of his gameplay when I stormed into his office after tournaments. My fellow team members would watch our debates with amusement, marveling at how I "got away" with challenging our boss!

Those two years with Bijoor were transformative. I transitioned from a student to a confident professional, thanks in large part to his mentorship and the support of the entire Project Typhoon team. While Bijoor and I maintained contact for a few years after leaving IBM, I regret that our friendship gradually faded over time. Bijoor was not just my first manager; he was a friend and a role model who shaped the beginning of my career."

Adesh Desai & Deepak Sodhi, Founders of Sycamore Solutions

"Mr. Bijoor joined Sycamore as General Manager at a very crucial juncture for the company. Without his leadership and guidance Sycamore would not be where it is today. Throughout the early years of Sycamore, Mr. Bijoor was a beacon of wisdom and experience. In an environment where the average employee age hovered around 25, his calm and stately presence was invaluable. He not only led the company with a steady hand but also took a personal interest in the development of anyone who needed a helping hand, offering guidance and mentorship.

He navigated the complexities of managing a growing company in India with offshore customers. His ability to bridge the generational gap and foster a sense of camaraderie was truly remarkable. Mr. Bijoor's leadership was a masterclass in combining experience with youthful energy, proving that age is truly just a number when it comes to passion and dedication."

Jayanta Maitra, IBM Batch-mate

"Maruti Bijoor joined IBM WTC INDIA in 1960 around June-July in Bombay. Maruti is my Batchmate. Our Batch is 00 Batch and we had our Basic Training in Coonoor situated in Nilgiris from July to December 1960. We stayed in the Ritz Hotel in Coonoor during training. Late Madhav Purandare was Maruti's Roommate. Arvind Kelkar, another Batchmate from Bombay used to call Maruti affectionately by 'Martya'. We had a lot of fun during our stay.

During later years I used to have interaction with Maruti whenever I was in Bombay. Maruti was a very jovial person."

Amitabha Aich, IBM Colleague

"I worked with Bijoor for many years as CE during my IBM days at Bombay branch. Later when I was posted at the IBM Plant near Saki Naka as Plant CF Manager, Bijoor was leading the 447 Accounting Machine manufacturing (actually renovating old IBM accounting machines) line."

E. Elias, IBM Colleague

The boss I knew.  Well, straightaway I feel I should put inverted commas around the word "boss" as Maruti Bijoor never came across as your boss, or anyone's boss for that matter. He was more like everyones colleague, friendly, jolly, affable, always approachable and always full of enthusiasm.

The thing that struck me at that time back in late 1972 and amazes me even now was how easily Bijoor straddled the huge leap from maintaining World War 2 era electro-mechanical computing machines to 3rd generation electronics based on the then state-of-the-art TTL Integrated Circuits.

It surprised me initially but I soon came to realize that Bijoor had exceptional grasp and a total lack of inhibitions when it came to embracing new and different technologies. I guess his unstated motto was  "Lets bash on - dekha jayega". Of course exceptional intelligence helped too!

Bijoor's management style was totally participative- he never seemed to be managing anyone or anything when he was doing just that superbly well. He really was all that a manager of a multi-faceted tech-heavy development project should be. We all learned a lot simply by being associated with him.

R. G. Iyengar, IBM Colleague

I became CE Territory Supervisor of IBM, Bombay Branch in 1959 and hence I had the responsibility for CE recruitment. Mirani, Bijoor, Gaur, Raje, Purandare, Kelkar and Oak were the very first batch and also the largest group amongst IBM branches. Quite an experience for me!

After completion of training in Coonoor, the trainees got some field training. LIC of India had ordered unit record machines for several locations all over India. Bijoor was assigned Indore and was resident there.

Both of us (that is Bijoor and I) met LIC customer and generally discussed about the future plans. Our day's work was over and my return flight to Bombay was only on the following day. Hence, both of us decided to watch a movie in the evening. As I recollect, the movie was "A Star is Born". The following day I returned to Bombay.

After a year or so, Bijoor returned to Bombay and started maintaining his assigned territory of customers. Subsequently, he transferred to IBM manufacturing plant and started working there. Also, IBM's Head Office, where I was stationed was shifted to Delhi and consequently, my contact with Bijoor was not frequent. Besides, we also had a CE representative located in the plant, Mr. Purandare to look after CE requirements and involve himself fully in product testing, QC etc. of plant machines.

Bijoor was a quiet, sincere and dedicated IBMer and an excellent Engineer. My condolences to the family members on the tragic loss due to the passing away of Maruti Bijoor.

Dhirendra Tripathi, Thinker, Poet, Entrepreneur and Family Friend

"Mr. Bijoor was a role model for me and it's not possible to state anywhere near how much I have received from him. This is as far as I got for now:

He reinforced the spirit to hold firm convictions that are truly independent without losing the suppleness of one's mind. And when it involved an issue of social norms that should be outdated even more emphatically independent. And everything is thought through by oneself. On request the reasoning can be presented as a flow chart including leaps of faith.

He radiated his deep rooted ability to know where true quality lies. Something I have striven to keep as a major objective all my life thanks to people like him.

The courage to simply do what one feels is worth doing is got from knowing people like that.

The realization that ethics is less about doing what is considered right and more about actively figuring out what should be right is got from people like that.

So much to remember...

In general it is not about being 'smarter' in a 'smartness' race, it is about using the smartness one has to work out the goals worth chasing, that is understood from people like that.

And all of the above couched in an easy going manner that melted away the generation gap.

I must also mention here my remembrance of Mrs. Bijoor who complemented him perfectly while being a lot like him.

They both live on in the lives of people they touched."