Meet India's Super Rich Philanthropists

By siliconindia | Thursday, 14 November 2013, 13:16 Hrs

1. Azim Premji, Wipro

Chairman of Wipro and the fourth wealthiest Indian, Azim Hashim Premji has unarguably made the biggest philanthropic contribution in India. He has made a donation worth 8,000 crore towards the upliftment of education and other social development in rural India. Premji, who possesses 57 percent of Wipro, has donated 10 percent stake to Azim Premji Foundation, which promotes education in rural India, according to China-based Hurun Report Inc. said in its HurunIndia Philanthropy List 2013.

He is the first Indian to sign up for a campaign, Giving Pledge, led by business magnets Warren Buffett and Bill Gates. This campaign was started to encourage the wealthiest people to donate most of their wealth to philanthropic causes. Moreover, Premji is the third non-American to join this philanthropic club after Richard Branson and David Sainsbury. "I strongly believe that those of us, who are privileged to have wealth, should contribute significantly to try and create a better world for the millions who are far less privileged,” cited Premji.