The Yandex search engine ranks fourth in the world in popularity, second only to its American competitors. But Russian programmers have once again proved their capabilities to the whole world. Ilya Segalovich, a programmer, innovator, and benefactor, stood at the origins of Yandex.
Foundation of Yandex
Ilya Valentinovich Segalovich is one of the founders of the Yandex search engine. Although in the beginning his life was far from programming. Segalovich was born in Nizhny Novgorod in 1964. But then, because of his father's work, the family moved to Kazakhstan. Segalovich's father was engaged in geophysics and was even awarded the State Prize. In Almaty, Ilya studied at a physics and mathematics school, then tried to enter Moscow State University, but failed in the entrance exams. He decides to follow in his father's footsteps and enters the Moscow Geological Prospecting Institute. After graduation, Ilya works as a programmer in various organizations, until his school friend Arkady Volozh invites Arcadia to his company.
There the idea is born to create your own search engine, relying on the successful experience of Western colleagues. At first, the friends were engaged in the development of electronic directories. Segalovich has developed a new search technology taking into account the morphology of the Russian language. The system got the loud name "Yandex", which Ilya invented from the game of English words "yet another indexer".
Charity
In 1993, Ilya met his future wife Maria, and not only love came into his life, but also … charity. Maria actively helps orphans and those in need. Ilya is so drawn into this new life that he postpones plans to go to study and work abroad. Over time, the couple founded the Maria's Children charitable foundation, which conducts master classes in orphanages and hospitals. But Segalovichi do not stop at banal help. They take two orphan girls into the family, despite the fact that they are already raising three children of Maria and a common child.
Ilya is actively involved in charitable programs not only in his foundation. Third-party non-profit organizations also receive help from him. At the same time, he tries to remain incognito and asks not to mention his name during the next charitable help. He personally entertains children in hospitals and orphanages by dressing up as a clown as part of a laughter therapy program.
But in September 2012, Ilya Valentinovich himself needed medical help - he was diagnosed with stomach cancer. And although the treatment gave a good result - the metastases were gone, Segalovich had only a year left. In the summer of 2013, he felt worse and was diagnosed with a tumor in his head. Unfortunately, there was no longer any chance of recovery. The disease progressed so rapidly that in less than a month Ilya fell into a coma and died on July 27.
The name of Ilya Valentinovich Segalovich remains for many an example of the ability not only to do useful and successful business, but also good deeds. The Children of Mary Charitable Foundation still exists and is actively involved in philanthropic activities.
