Nandan Nilekani, co-founder of Infosys, KP Singh, chairman emeritus at DLF, and Nikhil Kamath, co-founder of Zerodha, have been named in the 17th edition of Forbes Asia’s Heroes of Philanthropy list released today.
The unranked list “highlights business leaders who donate from their fortunes and dedicate personal time and attention to their selected causes,” Forbes said in a press release.
The annual list, which spotlights 15 philanthropists, does not include corporate philanthropy, except for private companies where the individual is the majority shareholder.
Nandan Nilekani, co-founder and chairman of tech giant Infosys, is on the list because he donated Rs 3.2 billion (USD 38 million) to his alma mater IIT Bombay in June, Forbes said, adding that the donation will be over a period of one year will be done. period of five years.
This was on the occasion of his 50-year collaboration with the technology institute, where he studied electrical engineering as a bachelor.
Since 1999, Mr Nilekani has given a total of Rs 4 billion to the institute. Last year, he donated another Rs 1.6 billion to educational causes.
Mr Singh, who stepped down as chairman of DLF in 2020, divested his remaining direct stake in the real estate company in August to fund philanthropic causes, Forbes said, citing the company.
He raised Rs 7.3 billion from the sale of his 0.59 percent stake in the Delhi-based property developer.
The 92-year-old Singh, who has an estimated fortune of $14 billion, divides his time between London and Dubai.
After previously founding the KP Singh Foundation Trust and the KP Singh Charitable Foundation Trust, Singh launched the KP Singh Foundation in 2020.
Mr. Kamath, who made it to Forbes’ philanthropy list, joined the Giving Pledge initiative in June.
In his pledge letter, the 37-year-old co-founder of discount broker Zerodha wrote that he is particularly interested in climate change, energy, education and healthcare, as well as the foundation’s mission to create a more just society.
Mr Kamath’s YouTube podcast series ‘WTF is’ has given away up to Rs 10 million (USD 120,000) – contributed by Kamath and business leaders who are guests on his show – to a charity chosen by the public, Forbes said.
Mr Kamath, who has an estimated net worth of $1.1 billion, plans to increase episode donations to Rs 40 million, it added.
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