“It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which, if acted on, would save one-half the wars of the world.” -Thomas Jefferson, in a letter to French philosopher Destutt de Tracy in 1820
Last December, B. V. Jagadeesh made a splash in Bangalore’s newspapers, by announcing a donation of $1 million to improve educational standards in the 133 municipal corporation schools of Bangalore. A trust administered by a member of his family in Bangalore works with World Bank executives to examine the state of the facilities in city-run schools and to decide how best the funds can be utilized. “If every one of us here in the Silicon Valley who hails from India can go back to our country of birth and help the school that he or she studied in by motivating students, by providing library facilities and by setting up labs, we will help build a better India for the next generation,” says Jagadeesh, co-founder and chief technology officer of Exodus Communications.

Builders of Nations

The recent spate of educational philanthropy has Indian institutions ecstatic about the munificence of their alumni. The upper crust of Silicon Valley’s own Tatas, an erstwhile bourgeoisie, is spawning a community of even more generous indigenous Birlas. This glut of success brings to mind Oscar Wilde’s statement: “Moderation is a fatal thing. Nothing succeeds like excess.”

Gita Piramal, an eminent business historian and journalist, discusses India’s most intrepid and innovative businessmen in her book titled Business Legends. The book quotes Nani Palkhivala speaking about the late Kasturbhai Lalbhai, one of India’s most renowned industrialists: “Kasturbhai was among the small band of men who could be called the builders of nations – not merely builders of business or builders of industries.”

If you have more query about magazine please send mail to

May 12	April 12	March 12	Feb 12