Farewell Umang

By Dilip -

Umang Gupta one-time student of Sainik School Kunjpura (1961-65) and IIT Kanpur, a technology giant, passed away in San Mateo, California, on April 19, 2022 after a spirited battle against cancer. His mother, Mrs Ramnika Gupta, was CPI (M) MP from Hazaribagh, Jharkhand. She was a writer, educationist and tireless worker for tribal rights and the preservation of tribal languages. She passed away in 2019. Umang came to Delhi for her last rites, that was the last time we met.

Umang was an Indian-American software pioneer. He wrote the first business plan for Oracle Corporation; founded Gupta Technologies and was CEO for Keynote Systems.



Gupta Technologies created a SQL relational database system for microcomputers and helped usher the age of Client Server Computing. Nasdaq GPTA was the first software company founded by an Indian American to be listed on an American exchange. The company was precursor to the Silicon Valley boom led by Indian American CEOs. He later invested in Keynote Systems, Inc, which tracked the performance of websites. Under his leadership, Keynote acquired a number of companies and expanded its offering. After exiting Keynote Systems, Gupta devoted himself exclusively to educational software for children.

Gupta graduated with a Chemical Engineering degree from the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK), India in 1971 and obtained an MBA from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio in 1973. IIT Kanpur recognized him as a Distinguished Alumnus in 1996 and in 2020 they conferred him with the status of Institute Fellow. In 2002 Umang became founding Chairperson of IIT Kanpur Foundation in the USA. He and his wife Ruth made significant donations to the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California and to the Immigrants Gallery at the San Mateo County History Museum. 

Umang was a close personal friend, with whom I shared happy memories of schooldays in SSK. For Kunjeyans who came after him (1961-65), Umang, RN 267; was in Chillianwala (Green) House. He was a brilliant student, and excelled in science and mathematics. He enjoyed reading P. G. Wodehouse - something we had in common - and I still recall him laughing at some passages he read during break. He acted in school plays, as well; playing the Duke in our first school play, The Invisible Duke (Prahlad Kakar played the Wizard in the same production). 

Umang was Best All Rounder for 1965

His scientific brilliance aside, he was a man of great courage and compassion. Farewell Umang, my dear friend. You were a great soul, thank you for shining so brightly. My deepest condolences to Ruth; their children, and the entire family.

An online celebration of Umang's life is scheduled for Thursday May 12 at 6:30 PM Pacific Daylight Time at 




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