5 Leading philanthropists in India: Game-changers in giving

"I have found that among its other benefits, giving, liberates the soul of the giver." - Maya Angelou

In a world where success and wealth are often celebrated, some individuals go beyond personal achievement and success stories and use their fortunes to impact society positively. These are the top philanthropists in India, individuals who understand the power of giving and strive to change the Indian landscape for the better. 

The generosity of these philanthropists in India knows no bounds as they support various causes, from education and healthcare to environmental conservation and poverty alleviation. Read on to know more their dedication to giving back uplifts the less fortunate and inspires others to follow suit.

India's top 5 philanthropists of the Millennia 2023
 

Akums Drugs & Pharmaceuticals Limited – Sanjeev Jain and Sandeep Jain – Transforming lives through philanthropy
 

Sanjeev Jain and Sandeep Jain, the founders of Akums Drugs & Pharmaceuticals Limited, firmly believe life’s true worth lies in bringing comfort to others, a principle that forms the cornerstone of our community development efforts.

These philanthropist’s commitment to transforming lives through philanthropy exemplifies their vision for a better future and dedication to social well-being.

Key points -
 

• Sanjeev Jain and Sandeep Jain envision a life enriched through bringing comfort to others
• Their commitment to community development is grounded in the profound belief that true value is found in positively impacting the lives of those around them
• Their commitment to transforming lives through philanthropy reflects their vision for a better future
• Operating, residing, and conducting business in various areas, they strive to create a meaningful impact in every community they touch

Zerodha - Nithin Kamath, Nikhil Kamath - Philanthropic entrepreneurs
 

Nithin Kamath and Nikhil Kamath, the co-founders of Zerodha, have made significant contributions to society. In 2022, they donated Rs 100 crore of their personal wealth, marking a 300 percent increase from the previous year.

Moreover, these self-made entrepreneurs pledged a quarter of their personal wealth to philanthropy, with plans to give back Rs 750 crore over the next three years.

Nithin Kamath has also become the youngest Indian to sign the 'Giving Pledge,' committing to donate half of his wealth to charitable causes, including climate change, education, and healthcare.

The Kamath brothers' philanthropic initiatives, along with their success stories in building Zerodha, reflect their dedication to making a positive impact on society.

Key points -
 

• Nithin and Nikhil Kamath's significant donations of personal wealth highlight their commitment to the upliftment of the society
• The Young India Philanthropic Pledge (YIPP), launched by the Kamath brothers, encourages individuals under 45 to pledge a portion of their wealth to charitable causes
• Nithin Kamath's commitment to the 'Giving Pledge' and his interest in contributing to climate change, education, and healthcare demonstrate his concern for global issues
• These philanthropist's $100 million commitment to the Rainmatter Foundation showcases their dedication to finding impactful solutions for climate change

Flipkart - Binny Bansal - Empowering cross-border e-commerce
 

Binny Bansal, renowned for co-founding Flipkart, has transitioned into a dynamic philanthropist with a profound vision. After amassing a significant fortune through his shares in Flipkart, totalling around $1-$1.5 billion, Bansal is redirecting his success story towards a noble cause.

His latest endeavour involves incubating a startup specialising in cross-border e-commerce. Unlike his previous consumer-facing venture, this startup aims to offer crucial design, product, and humanpower support to both Indian and global e-commerce companies, enriching the ecosystem and fostering international trade.

Key points -
 

• Binny Bansal's substantial wealth from Flipkart is being channelled into philanthropic ventures, exemplifying his commitment to giving back to society
• His focus on cross-border e-commerce demonstrates a forward-looking approach, promoting global economic connectivity
• By incubating startups, Bansal aims to nurture entrepreneurship and innovation, potentially catalysing growth in the e-commerce industry
• By providing design, product, and humanpower support, Bansal's initiative strengthens both Indian and global e-commerce sectors, fostering economic empowerment

upGrad - Ronnie Screwala - Nurturing dreams through philanthropy
 

Ronnie Screwvala, an iconic first-generation entrepreneur in India, boasts a multifaceted legacy as an acclaimed movie producer, influential philanthropist, and a Time Magazine and Esquire-recognised figure shaping the 21st century.

In a remarkable move, Screwvala has unveiled Asia's pioneering online scholarship fund, initially endowed with Rs 100 crore, with aspirations to amass Rs 400 crore within the next three to four years.

Additionally, Ronnie Screwvala co-founded the Swades Foundation, a philanthropic organisation profoundly impacting 2,000 villages in Maharashtra. The foundation's impressive achievements include supporting 135,000 children in 1,275 schools, providing 32,654 homes with clean water access, and planting over 120,346 trees.

Key points -
 

• Ronnie Screwvala's creation of Asia's first online scholarship fund demonstrates his commitment to nurturing talent and providing educational opportunities
• As an entrepreneur, movie producer, and philanthropist, Screwvala's influence spans multiple domains, leaving an indelible mark
• The Swades Foundation, co-founded by Screwvala, has substantially contributed to improving education, clean water access, and environmental sustainability across numerous villages
• Screwvala's ambitious target of Rs 400 crore for the scholarship fund showcases his dedication to expanding the reach and impact of his philanthropic endeavours

Happiest Minds Technologies - Ashok Soota - Pioneering leader and philanthropist
 

Ashok Soota, the Executive Chairman of Happiest Minds Technologies Limited, is widely recognised as one of the top philanthropists in India in the IT industry. Apart from his remarkable entrepreneurial journey, Soota actively engages in philanthropy through Samarthanam, a trust for people with disabilities, and Ashirvadam, a non-profit organisation that provides education and medical support to those in need. 

Soota's contributions to India's IT industry have earned him prestigious titles such as IT Man of the Year and Electronics Man of the Year. 

His dedication to positively impacting the society and his entrepreneurial success sets him apart as an industry leader and a kind human being.

Key points -
 

• Soota's philanthropic contributions through Samarthanam and Ashirvadam demonstrate his commitment to empowering disabled people and supporting education and healthcare initiatives
• His leadership roles in various industry associations and government task forces reflect his influence and expertise in the IT sector
• Soota's entrepreneurial journey, marked by successful IPOs of Happiest Minds and MindTree, has created thousands of jobs and contributed significantly to the IT industry
• His hobbies, such as trekking, yoga, and meditation, highlight a well-rounded individual who values personal well-being and introspection

IDFC FIRST Private - Empowering philanthropists with investment solutions
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At IDFC FIRST Private, we understand the unique needs and aspirations of top philanthropists in India, helping us provide bespoke investment solutions that foster portfolio growth and contribute to long-term wealth creation.

Our investment personalization approach - 

1. Understanding your need: We work closely with you to understand your investment objectives, time horizon, and risk appetite before developing a tailored solution that’s best suited to your requirements.
2. Arriving at the right asset allocation: Using our proprietary asset allocation model, Value Index Navigator, an appropriate asset allocation is determined.
3. Proprietary product selection model: Using our in-house product selection model, we identify potential winners. This forward-looking model tracks performance consistency and risk metrics monthly, while conducting in-depth due diligence of all products across asset classes.
4. Ongoing portfolio reviews: We carry out periodic portfolio reviews based on market insights to ensure you are on the right track.

To wrap up
 

As IDFC FIRST Private and Hurun India celebrate India's Top 200 Self-made Entrepreneurs of the Millennia 2023, we are proud to highlight the top philanthropists in India. 

Their unwavering commitment to social causes aligns seamlessly with the values of IDFC FIRST Private Banking. We believe in helping you focus on your priorities and providing the resources for creating a personally rewarding impact.  
 

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