Daijiworld Media Network
Singapore, Jun 23: Four of India's top philanthropists have been named in Forbes' 'Heroes of Philanthropy' in Asia, proving that Indian billionaires are quite generous in helping the needy.
There are a total 48 philanthropists in the list. A report says that providing education to poor children is the top priority for Indian philanthropists.
HCL Technologies' billionaire Shiv Nadar identifies brilliant children from backward, remote corners of rural India and sponsors their education with boarding.
Another billionaire and philanthropist Azim Premji of Wipro, transferred nearly $ 2 billion of his wealth last December to an irrevocable trust that focuses on education and children's health and nutrition.
GMR Group's founder Grandhi Mallikarjuna Rao donated his shares worth $ 340 million in the business through an irrevocable endowment to the GMR Varalakshmi Foundation and sponsored education for poor.
34-year-old Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi leverages on his star power to give back through his foundation. He has donated $ 3 million till date and helped raise $ 25 million to support causes like education, health and disaster relief.
The four philanthropists were picked from each of the 12 markets in the region, making it a total of 48, Forbes said.