While we often appreciate and respect the entrepreneurial spirit and the heights of success achieved by many entrepreneurs, we tend to forget about the lives they have impacted in the process. There are several entrepreneurs who not only dedicate their time and effort to their companies and jobs but also equally to social causes. The generosity of philanthropists who support education, healthcare, environmental protection, poverty alleviation, and many other causes knows no bounds. Their dedication and contributions have energized the underprivileged and inspired others to follow suit. Here are 5 Successful business philanthropists who are known for their generosity and continue to use their power and money to help thousands.
Azim Hashim Premji, an Indian Businessman and Philanthropist
Azim Hashim Premji is a prominent icon in the Indian business world, especially in the Information Technology industry. For many years, he has led Wipro Limited to great success and has also emerged as a symbol of charitable work and honorable guidance. Premji was born in Mumbai, India, on July 24, 1945, and took over Western Indian Vegetable Products Limited (now Wipro Limited) at the age of 21 after his father's sudden passing. At that time, Wipro mainly focused on hydrogenated cooking fats. However, under Premji’s forward-thinking leadership, the company went through a transformation that would have a lasting impact on India's technology industry.
Under Premji's leadership, Wipro thrived as a pioneering force in the Indian IT sector, introducing groundbreaking initiatives and technologies. Spanning software development to IT consulting, Wipro's extensive portfolio served a diverse range of clients worldwide. Premji's sharp business insight, combined with his unwavering commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction, solidified Wipro's position as an industry frontrunner.
Premji's impact on society extends beyond the business realm, as evidenced by his philanthropic efforts. In 2001, he founded the Azim Premji Foundation to revolutionize education in India and empower disadvantaged communities. The foundation's various initiatives and programs have positively affected the lives of millions, working toward closing the education gap and promoting sustainable development.
Shiv Nadar
The founder of Hindustan Computers Ltd (HCL), Shiv Nadar is a wealthy industrialist and philanthropist. HCL currently has a presence in 42 countries through offices, delivery centers, and innovation labs, with a staff of 137,000 professionals. Shiv Nadar's forward thinking has enabled him to build a billion-dollar empire, positioning it as a hub for information technology worldwide. Engaging in a 10-12 hour workday was not his preference, and he realized he sought a different path, leading him to start his own company.
Founded in 1994 by Shiv Nadar Foundation is dedicated to promoting a fair and merit-based society by providing transformative education and bridging the socio-economic gap. Throughout the past three decades, the Foundation has directly impacted the lives of more than 39,000 alumni and students through its prominent institutions in literacy, K12, and higher education. At present, the Foundation has a community of over 100,000 members, including alumni, students, faculty, corporate executives, and extended families, dispersed worldwide.
The Foundation has allocated a total of 1.2 billion to its seven distinguished institutions and initiatives in the fields of education and art. Currently, the Foundation accommodates over 15,000 students, along with more than 2,300 faculty and staff. Additionally, it boasts a globally distributed alumni community of over 24,000 members. According to reports, Shiva Nadar has retained the top spot as the leading Indian philanthropist, donating Rs. 2,042 crores annually.
Mukesh Ambani
Mukesh Ambani, the Chairman of Reliance Industries Limited, ranks among the wealthiest individuals in Asia. Despite his considerable wealth, Mukhesh is recognized for his philanthropic endeavors and substantial contributions to social welfare. Ambani's philanthropic values are deeply ingrained in his belief that businesses have a responsibility towards society and should actively participate in its advancement. His philanthropy has left a significant imprint on diverse areas such as healthcare, education, and rural development.
Mukesh has consistently held the belief that education is crucial for unleashing the potential of individuals and communities. In line with this belief, he has made substantial contributions to education in India, including founding the Dhirubhai Ambani International School, acclaimed as one of India's premier schools.
Additionally, Ambani's charitable endeavors have resulted in the establishment of the Reliance Foundation Institute of Life Sciences, which is dedicated to research in the life sciences sector. He is also contributing to various sectors such as healthcare, rural development, etc.
Kiran Mazumdar Shaw
Growing up in a middle-class Indian family, Kiran was taught by his parents that wealth creation means making a difference in society. As a first-generation entrepreneur, Kiran founded Biocon, Inc. Her success at Biocon gave her the means to pursue an inclusive commitment to social inclusion. As the founder of a biopharmaceutical company, Kiran believes that innovation and commerce can be as much a driving force for technological progress as they are for social progress.
Her philanthropic work focuses on making a difference in global healthcare, especially in developing countries. Kiran has adopted several primary health centers in rural India and is transforming them into telemedicine and technology-enabled centers that address the lack of medical resources. It is hoped that these tested models can be rapidly expanded by the government to leapfrog the current system that is failing miserably to provide its citizens with their basic right to health care.
Anil Agarwal- Metal King
Anil Agarwal, Founder and Chairman of Vedanta Resources Ltd., is well known for his philanthropy, pledging 75 percent of his family’s wealth to charity in 2014. Vedanta's flagship CSR project, Nand Ghar, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation are already working together to improve health and nutrition outcomes in Uttar Pradesh. This novel partnership aims to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2 to end all forms of hunger and malnutrition by 2030.
The Anil Agarwal Foundation, an umbrella organization of Vedanta's Giving Back Initiative, has invested in nutrition, women and child development, healthcare, animal welfare, and grassroots-level sports, including investments in the Corona-Free Villages project across several states to combat the ongoing pandemic. It is developing a Rs. 5,000 crore social impact program focused on the foundation and is committed to empowering communities, transforming lives, and promoting nation-building through sustainable and inclusive growth. Vedanta has spent approximately Rs. 1,000 crore on social impact initiatives over the past three years, impacting the lives of more than 420 million people across the country.