Page 60 - Forbes - India (January 2020)

Cross Border

Catalysts For Change

2019’s list honours individuals tackling a diverse set of issues across
the Asia-Pacific—and includes Asia’s biggest-ever giver

Edited by gracE chung

Qamar Sibtain / the india today Group via Getty imaGeS
zim Premji made
history in 2019 as
Asia’s most generous
philanthropist
A by donating $7.6
billion worth of Wipro shares to
his education-centred foundation,
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
60 model for all of us. I wish more From left: Bill Gates, Azim Premji, Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett in 2011
people would follow his example,”
says Anu Aga (a 2010 honouree). Azim Premji, 74 Wipro’s executive chairman after more than
Premji is one of the 30 five decades at the helm and said he would
outstanding altruists we’ve chosen Founder and chairman, Wipro focus more on philanthropy. The first Indian to
sign the Giving Pledge, his lifetime giving now
INDIA
for our 13th annual Heroes of stands at $21 billion. Premji has also endowed
Philanthropy list which honours Premji in March 2019 solidified his position as his foundation with stakes in Wipro
billionaires, entrepreneurs and Asia’s biggest philanthropist by giving away a Enterprises, his privately held consumer
goods company, and in his private equity arm,
chunk of his shares, worth $7.6 billion, in tech
celebrities across the region firm Wipro to his education-focussed Azim PremjiInvest. Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi
who are committed to solving Premji Foundation. The foundation will use the and his mother, Premji says that “to whom
some of the most pressing funds to increase its activities, including much has been given, much should be
expected”.
expanding the Azim Premji University
issues facing the Asia-Pacific. in Bengaluru. The billionaire retired in July as ● NAAzNEEN KArMAlI
2019’s members are devoted
to a range of endeavours. Among
them: Angel Locsin, one of the protect wildlife, improve access to given the bulk of funds to start a
Philippines’ most famous actors, health care and aid the elderly. charitable organisation. All are
supports causes aiding victims of To choose these honourees, citizens of countries or territories
violence, natural disasters and the we sifted through dozens of in the Asia-Pacific or have long
conflict in Mindanao. Australian candidates, reviewing their monetary resided in the region. The focus
billionaire Judith Neilson, contributions, the depth of their is on individuals who provide the
set up an institute to support involvement and the reach of their capital and are personally committed
independent journalism. And then philanthropic efforts. Our aim is to achieving a long-term vision.
there’s Jack Ma from China, who to highlight those giving their own As always, we have focussed on
recently received the Malcolm money, not their company’s (unless new names, unless there was a
S Forbes Lifetime Achievement they are the majority owners of significant development in a previous
Award after stepping down as a privately-held firm). We also honouree’s philanthropy that justified
chairman of Alibaba to devote don’t include those who are full- relisting them. The final selection
more time to philanthropy. Other time fundraisers or foundation is unranked—all are considered
honourees are working to heads, unless they’ve personally equally honoured on this list.

forbes indiA • january 31, 2020