Forbes Asia has recognized fifteen individuals, including three Indians, as Heroes of Philanthropy for their dedicated contributions to noble causes over the past year. Among these philanthropists are Kushal Pal Singh, Nandan Nilekani, and Nikhil Kamath.
Nikhil Kamath, the youngest Indian billionaire and co-founder of Zerodha, recently joined the Giving Pledge, a global initiative encouraging wealthy individuals to commit a significant portion of their wealth to charitable causes. Kamath, 37, expressed his commitment to building a more equitable society, aligning with the foundation’s goals in energy, education, health, and climate change. He follows in the footsteps of Indian business leaders like Azim Premji, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, and Nandan Nilekani in pledging to give back.
DLF chairman emeritus Kushal Pal Singh demonstrated his philanthropic spirit by selling 0.59 percent of his shares in the property developer, raising $89 million (₹7.3 billion) in August 2023. The funds support charitable causes and contribute to the KP Singh Foundation, established in 2020 to drive revolutionary change in India. Singh, renowned for transforming Gurgaon into a modern metropolis during his tenure at DLF, has left a lasting impact on the country’s urban landscape.
In June 2023, Nandan Nilekani, co-founder of Infosys, commemorated his 50-year association with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay by donating $38 million (₹3.2 billion). This significant contribution, accompanied by an MoU, reflects Nilekani’s gratitude and commitment to the institution that played a pivotal role in his life. The administrative headquarters of IIT Bombay was subsequently named the Nandan Nilekani Main Building in recognition of his philanthropy. Nilekani has also generously supported educational organizations like EkStep Foundation and AI4Bharat, showcasing a consistent dedication to uplifting educational initiatives.
These individuals, through their philanthropic endeavors, contribute significantly to societal well-being, education, and transformative change in India.
