Page 22 - Forbes - Asia (December 2019 - January 2020)

CATALYSTS

FOR CHANGE

This year’s list honors individuals tackling a
diverse set of issues across the Asia-Pacific—
and includes Asia’s biggest-ever giver.

EDITED BY GRACE CHUNG

zim Premji made history this year as Asia’s most
generous philanthropist by donating $7.6 billion
worth of Wipro shares to his education-centered
Afoundation, raising his total lifetime giving to
$21 billion. Established in 2000, his eponymous foundation
now works with more than 200,000 public schools across
India to train teachers and provide better curriculums,
among other initiatives. “A role model for all of us. I wish
more people would follow his example,” said Anu Aga (a
2010 honoree).
From left: Bill Gates, Azim Premji, Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett in 2011
Premji is one of the 30 outstanding altruists we’ve cho-
sen for our 13th annual Heroes of Philanthropy list which
honors billionaires, entrepreneurs and celebrities across tive chairman after more than
the region who are committed to solving some of the most AZIM PREMJI, 74 five decades at the helm and
Founder and Chairman, Wipro said he would focus more on
pressing issues facing the Asia-Pacific. INDIA philanthropy. The first Indian
This year’s members are devoted to a range of endeav- to sign the Giving Pledge, his
ors. Among them: Angel Locsin, one of the Philippines’ Premji in March solidified his lifetime giving now stands
most famous actresses, supports causes aiding victims of position as Asia’s biggest at $21 billion. Premji has also
philanthropist by giving away a endowed his foundation with
violence, natural disasters and the conflict in Mindanao.
chunk of his shares, worth $7.6 stakes in Wipro Enterprises,
Australian billionaire Judith Neilson, set up an institute to billion, in tech firm Wipro to his his privately held consumer
support independent journalism. And then there’s Jack Ma education-focused Azim Premji goods company, and in his
from China, who recently received the Malcolm S. Forbes Foundation. The foundation will private equity arm, PremjiInvest.
Lifetime Achievement Award after stepping down as chair- use the funds to increase its Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi
activities, including expand- and his mother, Premji says that
man of Alibaba to devote more time to philanthropy. Other
ing the Azim Premji University “to whom much has been given,
honorees are working to protect wildlife, improve access to in Bangalore. The billionaire much should be expected.”
healthcare and aid the elderly. retired in July as Wipro’s execu- —Naazneen Karmali
To choose these honorees, we sifted through dozens of
candidates, reviewing their monetary contributions, the
depth of their involvement and the reach of their philan- ritories in the Asia-Pacific or have long resided in the region.
thropic efforts. Our aim is to highlight those giving their The focus is on individuals who provide the capital and are
own money, not their company’s (unless they are the major- personally committed to achieving a long-term vision. As PRASHANTH VISHWANTHAN/BLOOMBERG
ity owners of a privately-held firm). We also don’t include always, we have focused on new names, unless there was a
those who are full-time fundraisers or foundation heads, significant development in a previous honoree’s philanthropy
unless they’ve personally given the bulk of funds to start a that justified relisting them. The final selection is unranked—
charitable organization. All are citizens of countries or ter- all are considered equally honored on this list.

20 | FORBES ASIA DECEMBER 2019 / JANUARY 2020