Premji Maintains Number One Position In Philanthropy

Azim Premji (69), who donated Rs 12,316 crore between April 2013 and October 2014, has topped the list of philanthropists in India. Anil Agarwal of Vedanta Resources stood distant second, donating Rs 1,796 crore. Premji’s donation is about six times more than that of Anil.

According to the list, which was compiled by Shanghai-based Hurun Research Institute (HRI), 50 people donated at least Rs 10 crore during this period. Shiv Nadar, Ratan Tata and Mukesh Ambani were ranked third, fourth and fifth, respectively.

Premji had topped the list even last times. As per HRI’s 'India rich list' issued in October 2014, Premji stood at fourth position in terms of personal wealth. He had Rs 86,100 crore at that time.

Most of the Indian philanthropists preferred to donate in the field of education, which accounted for about 80% of the total donations.

Hurun Research “includes cash and cash equivalents pledged with legally binding commitments for the period and includes significant donations ($16.7 million) up to the date of publication. It included donations made by companies in which an individual had a significant share, by applying the percentage the individual has of the company on the donations.”

"The list is a good representation of responsible entrepreneurship in India. It's interesting to note that many entrepreneurs in India consider religious donations as philanthropy. In this context, we would have missed many more in India." said Anas Rahman Junaid, publisher-at-large of Hurun Report India, which is the Indian wing of the Shanghai-based institute.