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Indians Donate Millions to U.S. Universities, Forget India
By SiliconIndia   |   Thursday, 09 February 2012, 04:38 Hrs   |    18 Comments
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Indian businessman Siddharth Yog gifted $11 million to his alma mater Harvard Business School and it made front page news since he made it to the rare category of single largest personal gifts made by any Indian to Harvard. Prior to him donations given to Harvard were by Anand Mahindra who donated $10 million, Ratan Tata donated $50 million to fund a campus building and Narayana Murthy donated $5.2 million to publish 'The Murthy Classical Library of India'.



This has been an ongoing debate and every time an Indian donates to a university abroad, the question gains momentum again. When Ratan Tata became ‘the largest international donation in the Ivy League university's 102-year history’, the apparent question asked was how Indian universities can compete globally, if Indians continue to fund western universities. Among other philanthropic contribution to American Universities are Rohini and Nandan Nilekani who had gifted $5 million to Yale University.



It isn’t that the donation to Indian universities is completely non-existent, but it is quite bleak compared to the amounts donated to universities abroad. Nandan Nilekani's donation of $2.6 million to his alma mater, IIT to build a new hostel wing is often talked about.
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Reader's comments(18)
1: Indian Universities are good, but do they even make it easy for people to donate? Can patrons be certain that their money goes to updating facilities rather than lining the pockets of politicians? To what degree did these universities in India contribute to these people's success? The key is "giving back." If the education at Harvard made it possible for these people to make US$200 million, why not give back to Harvard to thank them for what has been blessed on them rather than to a school in India that did not contribute as much? How about tax deducibles? It's a deadly cycle. The Indian government must first make Indians feel great about their schools, and give them the quality that makes them feel lucky, and with time, the ones who become successful will naturally "give back."
Posted by:TWWE - 12 Feb, 2012
2:
TWWE, you are living on Mars? It is not giving back, it is the entrance ticket for the donors to enter the glamorous world of the white Sahibs. The Western universities have just a good PR and they could make clear to the donors that their money will be spend well - and their sons/daughters will get a good promotion.
Shaas Ruz Replied to: TWWE - 16 Feb, 2012
3:
This comment is quite shameful. You mean to say that India's education system had no contribution towards this person's $200 million wealth? Didn't they lay the foundation for him to go to Harvard?
vijayk Replied to: TWWE - 13 Feb, 2012
4:
Learn to thank your elementary school, before you thank Harvard, Massachusetts etc.,
josvi Replied to: TWWE - 13 Feb, 2012
5: So called "DONORS to Foreign Universities/traiters" should remember that they are helping the RICH and allowing the POOR to BEG.
Posted by:josvi - 12 Feb, 2012
6: It is the phylosophy of name game because after due efferet and donation they (Donee) cant get respects from the University in India because of Politician game of gain
Posted by:Nem Singh - 11 Feb, 2012
7: It is not entirely true to say that Indians don't donate out here....look at celebrated Vinod Gupta of IIt _KGP, who, single handedly formed the management school and has done great work for his institute. There are many other examples like this like Prof. P C Mahalanabis who formed ISI almost single handedly. Moreover, not all donations (as given in this article) are selfless. There is an underlying cause, almost everywhere. Vinod Gupta saab was a real exception, a vivid example of love and affection for one's alma matr
Posted by:A Chakraborty - 10 Feb, 2012
8:
Because they think their money will be well utilised abroad not misused. More over there will be International recognition.
Dr.A.Jagadeesh Nellore (AP), India
Posted by:Dr.A.Jagadeesh - 10 Feb, 2012
9: I guess all businessmen want their money to go in good cause. If they had faith in indian universities, defiantly they donate money to indian universities.

And did somebody check how much each university get donation every year & how they use it. I am sure they got huge money from govt, did they use it?

And how about putting money in research? Still our syllabus is 5-7 year old. Still we studying for exam & studying for knowledge is different, why this?

Its good indian businessmen smart enough not to waste their money.
Posted by:Aniruddha - 09 Feb, 2012
10: That shows that they are sensible, intelligent, value what is good and also want the good to prosper. Yesterday in TOI they have published a photo of the the state of affairs in Bangalore University. The picture posted of a hostel room is WORST THAN THAT OF A PUBLIC TOILET. They are still asking for Rs 800 crores. If India propers on innovation and excels in Science like IIT then funds will come in if you just ask for money without potential no one will give. Tell us a good reason why we should give money when all you thoughts are focused on swindling.
Posted by:Dennis - 09 Feb, 2012
11:
Not donating money due to misappropriation or corruption is a cop out. There are ways to donate if you fear that. for e.g. you can donate money towards specific projects or start schorlaships for poor and needy or fund labs with computers etc.. If there is a will there is a way!
vijayk Replied to: Dennis - 13 Feb, 2012
12:
I am searching the "Like" button. But unfortunately Like button is not available. I like you reply and I am adding to it,
Donating to Indian Varsities means provoking the Varsities authority to do SCAM. They are not going to do anything new. Always they will be busy in picking money into their pockets. See for example, the condition of roads in India. Are people not giving the road taxes? See the conditions of Govt. Hospital in India. Are people not giving their Income taxes? Though they paid their taxes, political leaders are enjoying their luxurious life by deceiving common people.
I really appreciate who donated money to foreign varsities.
Because they do not faith in Indian varsities.
Abhi Replied to: Dennis - 09 Feb, 2012
13:
I agree with you that in India the capable persons are selfish
and self centered.India lack patrotic people.There is wide gap between those who have and those who do not have.It is very unfortunate that those who are sensible and want to do something for upliftment of downtrodden in society,they do not
have proper means to support the needy.Prosperity does not make sensible people.Attitude of Indian has drastically changed after Independence of India.
y p keshary Replied to: Abhi - 09 Feb, 2012
14: Our big industrialist should come forward and take up the development of Universities of our Nation by providing infrastructure / latest lab. equipments / providing high standard hostel facilities for girls & boys / supporting in fees for the brilliant student from weak finance family instead of giving to overseas universities. U all give to them also but at the same time develop our Indian Universities in all states so that our Nation future is bright.
Posted by:E Y V Chary - 09 Feb, 2012
15: UNIVERCITIES IN INDIA ARE VERY MUCH AVERSE TO ACCEPT DONATIONS...MAY BE THE CLUTCHES OF AUTHORITIES ARE TOO TIGHT...OR MAY BE THEY ARE ALWAYS SUSPICIOUS OF MOTIVES OF DONORS....
Posted by:Parikh Girish - 09 Feb, 2012
16: May be the rich Indian entrepreneurs should start donating more towards the Indian education system as well and be a little more responsible.
Posted by:Rihan - 09 Feb, 2012
17:
yeah the ambanis and the like who're boasting billions of richness should donate to the indian universities. Also the
mentality of the folks in any office ( be it a college, NGO or any ) receiving funds should change from 'what's in it for me ' to 'wow this is going to help a 100 students'

Raj Replied to: Rihan - 10 Feb, 2012
18:
This is because engineering colleges dont even teach the basics...of engineering....
xyz Replied to: Rihan - 09 Feb, 2012
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