7 Indians feature in Forbes Asia's Heroes of Philanthropy list


Houston, Sep 8 (PTI): Seven Indians feature in Forbes Asia's ninth Heroes of Philanthropy list, highlighting most noteworthy contributions to philanthropy from 13 countries across Asia Pacific.

Of them, four are co-founders of Infosys, one of India's largest information technology (IT) services companies.

Kerala-born entrepreneur Sunny Varkey, who in June pledged about half of his USD 2.25 billion dollar fortune to charity as part of Bill Gates and Warren Buffet-led Giving Pledge initiative, tops the list of philanthropists in the region.

Dubai-based Varkey is the founder of GEMS Education, a chain of 70 private schools in 14 counties.

Infosys co-founders Senapathy Gopalakrishnan, Nandan Nilekani and S D Shibulal feature on the list for their individual contributions to the health and education sectors.

Another Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthy's son Rohan is on the list for donating a whopping USD 5.2 million to Harvard University Press for promoting ancient Indian literary classics.

He represents his father N R Narayana Murthy as a philanthropist.

The other two Indian philanthropists are brothers Suresh Ramakrishnan and Mahesh Ramakrishnan, both London-based entrepreneurs and founders of Whitcomb & Shaftesbury Tailors on London's Saville Row.

The brothers donated USD 3 million for training of more than 4,000 people in tailoring across India. Beneficiaries include the 2004 tsunami victims and "ill-fated" women.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Bhandara, M'lur/Mumbai

    Tue, Sep 08 2015

    This article seems to be concentrating on philanthropist based outside of India but of Indian Origin and their contribution to institutions outside India. However, the only two names that comes to my mind instantly for India based philanthropist are Azim Premji and the Tatas. There may be few others but their contribution as a percentage of their wealth mush be equal to a mustard seed and not worth mentioning. As many commented, there are hundreds of ROGUE billionaires who does nothing but continue looting Indians and India with the help of dirty political parties. It is shame that we drum our chest saying we have the best culture in the world! Wondering what that culture is?

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • A. S. Mathew, U.S.A.

    Tue, Sep 08 2015

    Why Mr. Azim Premji is missing he has been listed among the top 25 philanthropists in the world.

    Glad to read some names like Mr.Sunny Varkey. His life is a very remarkable story of hard work and noble focus so feeling very proud to read about a Kerala origin philanthropist.

    The rulers of UAE pay visit to him for his birth days.

    " I am not a saint, but I believe you have got to pray, be focused, and work hard for your success". His quote.

    His office is decorated with the pictures of Jordan's Queen Rania, former British PM Tony Blair and Dubai's ruler HH Sheikh Mohammed.

    I hope and trust that the rich and richest people of India may have proper focus in life and to fathom the brevity of life and to understand that whatever we have done for the hurting world is the only delightful life to watch on the screen at the death bed. Our mansions-car collections-jewelry collections will not give us any peace and joy in life in the later part of life.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Tue, Sep 08 2015

    Real Heroes are missing ...

    DisAgree [5] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sudhakar, Kallianpur

    Tue, Sep 08 2015

    Yes, one such name is Azim Premjji, is India's leading philanthropists...

    DisAgree Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Tue, Sep 08 2015

    Sudhakar, Ambani, Adani & Gadkari also help ...

    DisAgree [5] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Elwyn Mascarenhas , Mangalore, Kuwait

    Tue, Sep 08 2015

    These rascals donate the criminal politicians and political parties and

    DisAgree [2] Agree [12] Report Abuse

  • Sudhakar, Kallianpur

    Tue, Sep 08 2015

    Jossey,
    For you they might be heroes, but for me persons like Azim Premji are real heroes!!!

    DisAgree Agree [13] Report Abuse

  • Sudhakar, Kallianpur

    Tue, Sep 08 2015

    Correction:
    Yes, one such name is Azim Premjji, India's leading philanthropist.

    DisAgree Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • as, mlore

    Tue, Sep 08 2015

    can you find any Gujarati businessman or politician ? No.

    DisAgree [9] Agree [34] Reply Report Abuse

  • JJ,

    Tue, Sep 08 2015

    Many of us hardly read about these jewels who were doing great social services even media is not interested in them. Media covers Ambani, adani, and fekus for looting and show off.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [33] Reply Report Abuse

  • Valerian D'souza, Udupi / Mumbai

    Tue, Sep 08 2015

    Great news! When people with abundant blessings in wealth and knowledge share with less fortunate, the land which they inherit will earn blessings.
    Poor masses poverty alleviation and improvement in purchasing power will surely benefit the national economy.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [26] Reply Report Abuse


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